HAMPTON VS. FAMU PREVIEW

Hampton Offense vs. Florida A&M Defense

While Hampton's offense has had problems sustaining offensive consistency this season, the Pirates have playmakers all over the field. QB Herbert Bynes is one of the premier quarterbacks in the conference. He ranks second in the MEAC in both efficiency and yards per game. The Pirates have tremendous size and speed at the WR position; Jeremy Gilchrist, Justin Brown, Damon McDaniel and Kevin Teel all have big-play ability. McDaniel transferred to Hampton from Florida State, where he was the third-ranked prep receiver in ESPN's Top 150 for 2006. In addition to the Pirates aerial attack, RB LaMarcus Coker is showing NFL ability. Coker, a transfer from the University of Tennessee and 2006 first team Freshman All-American, has made an immediate impact. Thus far he is averaging 5.0 yards per carry. Hampton has put up 30 or more points in five games this season and rank second in the MEAC in total offense this year. Florida A&M's defense has struggled keeping opposing offenses out of the end zone. Through ten games, the Rattlers have only prevented a team from scoring 20 or more points twice. While LB Bryan Parker anchors a defense that ranks fourth against the pass, one must recognize the impact that sophomore DBs Qier Hall and Curtis Holcomb have had on the group. Hall and Holcomb lead the conference in interceptions and should get their fair share of opportunities in this matchup.

Florida A&M Offense vs. Hampton Defense

Florida A&M has utilized the two-quarterback system since the second week of the season. Both Eddie Battle and Curtis Pulley have been effective thus far. However, Pulley has been particularly impressive in four of his past five games. Pulley is a dual- threat quarterback that has 14 touchdowns passes against just four interceptions as well as nearly 600 yards on the ground. RB Phillip Sylvester's numbers are down from a year ago but he remains a big-play threat anytime he touches the ball. WR Kevin Elliott leads the team with 50 receptions and seven touchdowns on the season. The Pirates have arguably the most talented defensive units in the conference. However, that talent hasn't played consistently as a unit. LB Wakeem Goode leads the conference with 97 total tackles and Chris Baker has 53 tackles with 13.5 for loss. Baker transferred from Penn State prior to the season and has wreaked havoc on opposing offensive lines. Sam Pope and Jackie Bates could be the next defensive backs from the MEAC to emerge as impact players on Sundays. Pope and Bates both rank in the top 15 in the conference in passes defended.

Prediction:

This will be Joe Taylor's first game against the respected program he built at Hampton. While Hampton has a very fast and opportunistic defense, they have struggled this season against dual-threat quarterbacks. Curtis Pulley has the ability to cause several problems for the Pirates, and Phillip Sylvester is due for a breakout game. Hampton has the firepower to score points against the Rattlers' defense. However, they just haven't shown enough consistency and cohesiveness down the stretch in order to defeat Florida A&M at home.