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Muschamp, Saban have long personal history

 
Published Sept. 18, 2014

GAINESVILLE — Despite their long personal history, Alabama coach Nick Saban and Florida's Will Muschamp said they can't let their relationship get in the way Saturday afternoon.

"My responsibility is to Alabama football and what we have to do to try to be successful here," Saban said. "But it's never personal with me when it comes to the opponent. I never try to make it personal. We compete against each other and we're still friends, and that's the way it's going to be."

Muschamp said it won't be difficult for him to have a team opposing Saban's. "I've got a lot of respect for him, facing him as an assistant coach and then now as a head coach," he said. "So it is what is. They've got a good football team. I think we do, too."

CHANGING TEMPO: The Gators didn't show nearly as much tempo offense in Saturday's triple-OT win over Kentucky as they did in their opener, but the Tide is expecting some no-huddle. Keeping UF from hitting quick, big plays is among Alabama's defensive priorities. "It's key," LB Trey DePriest said. "That's a momentum swing. … That gives them an edge. When they do hit a big play, most likely they are going to go fast, get them lined up and go fast. If you let the big play affect you, you are going to be all out of whack."

USF: Back to basics

TAMPA — Four days after his unit graded out woefully against N.C. State, defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan is hoping it can revert to straight A's. Alignment, assignment, adjustment, alert. On Wednesday, he indicated a collective failure to follow those principles led to the mass confusion when N.C. State motioned and disguised its looks. "The bottom line is football, and they can do all the window dressing they want," Bresnahan said. "When the ball is snapped, you've got to go play your assignment, you've got to play your rules and you've got to do it aggressively if you're gonna be successful."

INJURY UPDATE: LB Reshard Cliett said he "nicked" his surgically repaired shoulder against N.C. State but is fine. … G Thor Jozwiak practiced again Wednesday and appears set to start Friday night against Connecticut.

Joey Knight, Times staff writer

UM: Renewed rivalry

MIAMI — Nebraska and Miami have earned five national titles apiece. Since 1970, only Alabama (eight) can claim more. They have played each other 10 times, splitting the series. Miami has won four of the past five — all in a bowl, and four of which have decided national championships.

AD Blake James, who called this "a great week," said UM is thrilled to renew a rivalry that dates to Nov. 30, 1951. UM will host Nebraska on Sept. 19, 2015: "I think they're some of the greatest times in Hurricane football history. I'm excited to have these two games set up. I'm looking forward to being in Lincoln this week."

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The Hurricanes will enter 92,000-seat Memorial Stadium on Saturday and senior LB Denzel Perryman feels another classic in the making. "Watching Nebraska getting after it, I know we're going to get after it," he said. "We're going to rekindle that fire from back in those days."

NOTES: Florida transfer Justin Vogel, a Berkeley Prep alum, will handle punting, and coach Al Golden said either Vogel or freshman Michael Badgley will handle kickoffs. … Countryside alum Gray Crow, moved to H-back in the offseason, has moved back to QB after Kevin Olsen left the school this week.

Palm Beach Post, Sun Sentinel