Uk’s Couch To Test Florida’s Defense

Who has more fun than the guys who operate Florida’s Fun ‘N’ Gun?

How about Tim Couch, Kentucky’s quarterback who directs the most potent passing attack in the nation?

On Saturday, the Gators play their first game since replacing Penn State at No. 1 when they visit the Wildcats (12:30 p.m. PDT, CBS). It’ll be the first time a top-ranked team has played at Commonwealth Stadium.

“We realize that Kentucky has the No. 1 pass offense and it will be a challenge for our defensive players,” Gators coach Steve Spurrier said. “They are wellcoached and play extremely hard.”

Especially Couch, the 6-foot-5-1/2, 225-pound sophomore who has thrived under new coach Hal Mumme’s pass-happy approach. Couch, smothered by the Gators in his first start last season, has bounced back. Last week, he hit on 24 of 32 passes for 334 yards and a school-record seven TDs in a 49-7 win over Indiana. It was the most points scored by Kentucky (2-1) since 1978, a span of 203 games.

For the season, Couch is 99 of 143 for 1,081 yards and 15 TDs, while his counterpart, Doug Johnson, is 49 of 93 for 802 yards and 12 TDs, including three in Florida’s 33-20 win over No. 9 Tennessee last week.

“We’re probably not as good as everybody thinks,” Spurrier said, “but good things seem to happen to the Gators.”

Whether Couch can have success against a stingy Florida defense is the biggest question. With a stellar secondary of Eli Williams and Fred Weary at the corners and Teako Brown and Tony George at the safeties, the Gators plan on adding to their interception total.

Florida (3-0) has a more balanced offense through three games - 103 running plays, 103 passing plays. And in the past three seasons, the Gators have overwhelmed the Wildcats, outscoring them 180-14, including last year’s 65-0 rout in Gainesville.

The picks:

No. 1 Florida (minus 22) at Kentucky: Even with QB whiz Tim Couch, Wildcats have tough time hangin’ with Gators… . FLORIDA 42-17.

Virginia (plus 14-1/2) at No. 5 North Carolina: It’s Oscar, Oscar, Oscar (as in QB Oscar Davenport)… . NORTH CAROLINA 35-14.

Notre Dame (plus 14) at No. 6 Michigan: It’s going to get really bad before it gets better for Irish… . MICHIGAN 31-14.

No. 7 Ohio State (minus 15-1/2) at Missouri: Watch out Buckeyes, ol’ Mizzou can cause big problems… . OHIO STATE 28-24.

Central Florida (plus 16-1/2) at No. 8 Auburn: Can the schedule get any tougher for Golden Knights? … AUBURN 35-21.

Illinois (plus 28) at No. 11 Iowa: Iowa has nation’s leading rusher in Tavian Banks… . IOWA 42-20.

Akron (plus 42) at No. 13 LSU: Nice way for LSU to recover from Auburn loss… . LSU 52-7.

Arkansas State (plus 39) at No. 14 Virginia Tech: Tech had trouble with Temple, but Indians offer little resistance… . VIRGINIA TECH 35-0.

Boise State (plus 39) at No. 15 Washington State: Chance for Cougars’ Ryan Leaf to really air it out… . WASHINGTON STATE 49-14.

Wyoming (plus 15) at No. 16 Colorado: Buffs eager to play again after loss to Michigan two weeks ago… . COLORADO 33-24.

No. 17 Clemson (even) at Georgia Tech: Tigers have won last four meetings, but Tech QB Joe Hamilton can end streak… . GEORGIA TECH 24-21.

Bowling Green (plus 28) at No. 18 Kansas State: K-State gets a good workout before going to Nebraska next week… . KANSAS STATE 41-10.

Oregon (plus 8-1/2) at No. 20 Stanford: Ducks, looking for first 4-0 start since 1988, lost last year’s game in OT… . OREGON 27-21.

Southern Mississippi (plus 6-1/2) at No. 21 Alabama: Turns into a must game for ‘Bama coach Mike DuBose… . ALABAMA 24-20.

No. 22 Texas A&M (minus 31-1/2) vs. North Texas (at Irving, Texas): Next week, the Aggies finally play a real team (Colorado)… . TEXAS A&M 45-7.

No. 23 Brigham Young (minus 11-1/2) at Southern Methodist: BYU has eight-game road winning streak… . BYU 28-21.

Arizona (plus 9) at No. 24 UCLA: Bruins can’t wait to pour on more points… . UCLA 34-17.

No. 25 Arizona State (minus 11) at Oregon State: Sun Devils’ J.R. Redmond leads nation with 233 all-purpose yards per game… . ARIZONA STATE 31-18.

Last week: 12-6 (straight); 12-6 (spread)

Season: 54-13 (straight); 37-26 (spread)