The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, September 18, 2002 - 11 Gators, Vols not living up to the hype By Steven Shears For the Daily It seems the Gators might have drowned in the swamp. With the disappointing performance from Florida this season, the usual gut-wrenching rival- ry of the past between the Gators and the Ten- nessee Volunteers might have lost its excitement this weekend. But it was seen last week that absolutely anything can happen in college football, and the Florida-Tennessee game is still always one to watch. Virginia Tech has only needed its running game to win, but it might have to go to the air as it col- lides with the best rushing defense in the country this weekend. As for Kansas State, this ranked team will face its first real test of the season with Southern Cal., which has proven to be the real deal. No. 10 FLORIDA AT- No. 4 TENNESSEE, 3:30 P.M., CBS: Before the season, this game looked to be a classic matchup between the two big SEC powerhouses. Now, this game itself could turn out to be as disappointing as new Florida coach Ron Zook. In response to a question- on the perform- ance of his team last week, Zook said "I feel good." He said this after his Gators unsoundly defeated an Ohio team 34-6, in which the score barely reflected the horrendous performance of both the team and the coaching staff. To put it in perspective, Ohio is a team which lost 31-0 to Division I-AA Northeastern but trailed Florida by only eight going into the half. Last season the team would have been dissected by former Coach Steve Spurrier for such a lousy win. The loss of Spurrier to the NFL might have Florida quarter- back and Heisman-candidate Rex Grossman won- dering if he should have joined his former coach. After an early interception toss, Grossman and the Gators trailed for nearly an eternity after inclimate weather suspended play. The embarrassment con- tinued, as Florida repeated mistake after mistake, showing their defensive line was as generous as Zook's perception of performance. Tennessee looks forward to filling the role of the Gator hunter this week. The probable return of Kelley Washington to the Tennessee lineup will only inflict more damage to the almost-extinct gators. Tennessee 38, Florida 17 No. 7 VIRGINIA TECH AT No. 19 TEXAS A&M, 3:30 P.M.: The game can be summed up with two words: Suggs and Jones. Virginia Tech's opponents know that the Hokies' run is coming, and still no one can stop it. Lee Suggs' 331 yards, Kevin Jones' 281 yards and a combined 10 touchdowns for the season has convinced coach Frank Beamer to call them "The Untouchables." Quite fitting since the Hokies rarely needed to pass as they ran over Marshall last Thursday. Suggs and Jones will have to prove themselves again against Texas A&M's No. 1 run defense in Kentucky and Alabama lose violation appeals TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) - Ken- tucky and Alabama lost again yesterday when the NCAA rejected their appeals to lift sanctions against the football pro- grams because of recruiting violations. An infractions appeals committee upheld a one-year postseason ban placed on Kentucky's. football pro- gram. It was one of several penalties levied against the school in January after internal and NCAA investiga- tions unearthed dozens of recruiting violations. "The Kentucky case was one of widespread abuse by employees of the university," said Terry Don Phillips, chairman of the infractions appeals committee. "It is about institutional responsibility for the conduct and con- trol of its employees and the duty and care an institution must exercise in the administration of its athletic program." Kentucky appealed the ban in Febru- ary, claiming the penalty was too harsh because the violations did not give the school a clear competitive advantage. "We conclude Kentucky construes } the term 'recruiting advantage' too nar- rowly in its argument," the committee's report said. Alabama sought restoration of six scholarships and its bowl eligibility but the appeals committee upheld all the penalties imposed after the program was cited for illegal recruiting by boosters and other infractions. The NCAA placed Alabama on five years' probation Feb. 1, tacking on six scholarship cuts to the university's self- imposed reduction of 15, and banning the team from participating in a bowl AP PHOTO game for two years. and a Those penalties were deemed appro- priate "because the violations in this case were numerous and particularly atchups egregious," the report stated. ifornia, The committee cited Alabama for illegal recruiting practices by -3 last boosters, with chairman Thomas he Buf- Yeager saying the panel considered before the so-called "death penalty" which would shut down the program for at least one season. "But for the unequivocal cooperation of the university, it's very clear the death penalty most probably would have been imposed," Phillips said. Interim Alabama President J. Barry Mason said university officials "disagree and are disappointed" with the decision. In a statement, Mason said the uni- versity's arguments for relief "were grounded in fact and well presented both in writing and in our meeting with the appeals committee last month." "Through this adversity, we will move forward and become stronger than ever," Athletic Director Mal Moore said. Kentucky officials expressed similar sentiments. "I'm very disappointed with this rul- ing," university president Lee Todd said. "The prospect of postseason play in any sport is what drives the hope and optimism for all of us. "I'm disappointed for our fans. I'm disappointed for our coaches. And most of all I'm disappointed for the student athletes and this team who are giving their all to restore this pro- gram. For them, I feel the process has let them down." The penalty carries an extra sting this year, now that Kentucky is off to a 3-0 start and had realistic bowl expectations following consecutive 2-9 seasons. "It is extremely difficult to express the disappointment that our football players and coaching staff are feeling after this decision," Kentucky Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart said. "They now have to pay the price for the infractions that others have created. "But this team has displayed great heart and courage in the face of adversity, and I truly believe that they will remain focused on the upcoming schedule and continue what could be a storybook season for Kentucky football." Florida's quarterback Rex Grossman leads Florida - which is coming off an embarassing loss to Miamia sub-par win against Ohio - into Tennessee this Saturday to face the No. 4 Volunteers. the country - one that hasn't allowed a 100-yard rusher in two years. It might be a little susceptible, though, after a victory over Pittsburgh two weeks ago that was a bit too close for comfort. Coming off of a bye, the Aggies need this win to boost their ranking heading into their rough conference schedule. Unfortunately for Texas A&M, most of the Texas football fans will be focused on the in- state "rivalry" between Texas and Houston. This will further the aggravation of the Aggies as they will have trouble harnessing Virginia Tech's potent offense. This "Battle of the Engineers" will certainly be one to watch. Virginia Tech 30, Texas A&M 21 No. 11 SOUTHERN CAL AT No. 25 KANSAS STATE, 7 P.M., TBS: Just as Steve Spurrier gradu- ated to the NFL, former Patriots coach Pete Car- roll was sent back to school, as coach of Southern Cal. The Trojans are one of the hottest teams with one of the toughest schedules in college football. No. 25 Kansas State might be the least difficult game on Carroll's mind with upcoming ma against Washington, Washington State, Cali Oregon and Notre Dame. The Trojans did slaughter Colorado 40 weekend, which makes one wonder why th falos weren't knocked out of the pollsl last week. While Southern Cal. has been on the up- so has Kansas State, which entered the po the first time this season. Unlike the Troja Wildcats have yet to be tested, and cans considered unproven. With an otherwis nonconference schedule, Kansas State nee game badly. It's no lie, Kansas State's firs games were against Western Ken Louisiana-Monroe and Eastern Illinois, all who don't exactly ring a bell when one th college football powerhouses. Look forB State to be riled up for this important ma but expect Southern Cal. quarterbackC Palmer and the Trojans to pull ahead fairl in the game. Southern Cal. 34, Kansas State 18 and-up oils for ins, the still be e easy ds this t three tucky, teams inks of Kansas tch-up, Carson y early SPARTANS Continued from Page 9 This year's Michigan team may actually be farther along than last year's squad this early in the season. Despite the team's outstanding indi- vidual marks from last season, this year's top finishers are running tighter times than in the past. Specifically, Warhurst is expecting strong finishes on Friday from soph- omore Nathan Brannen - who sat out the team's first event, the Michi- gan Open, two weeks ago - junior Tom Greenless, sophomore Tarn Leach and freshman Nick Willis. "They seem to be moving and pushing things pretty good," Warhurst said. Senior Nick Stanko, the team cap- tain, should also have a good showing. Yesterday, the team began interval training to work on getting stronger, a focal point of Warhurst's workouts. 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