Smith, Arkansas running smoothly

Following in the footsteps of Darren McFadden has not been a big problem for Arkansas running back Michael Smith.

With McFadden and Felix Jones off to the NFL, the 5-foot-7-inch Smith is carrying the load for the Razorbacks by leading the Southeastern Conference in rushing.

Smith's emergence as the replacement for McFadden, the SEC rushing leader the past two years, has provided a needed boost for first-year Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino.

Handicapper Bruce Marshall of The Gold Sheet said the Razorbacks are on the rise, and he's backing them as 8-point underdogs at Kentucky on Saturday.

"You look for teams that are showing signs, and Arkansas is one of those teams I can see starting to win some games now," Marshall said. "It's really asking a lot of Kentucky to lay more than a touchdown against a team that's really coming together."

Smith carried 35 times for 176 yards last week as the Razorbacks, 17-point road underdogs, upset Auburn, 25-22. Senior quarterback Casey Dick passed for 222 yards.

"Dick is getting more comfortable with what Petrino wants to do, and Smith is really running well," Marshall said.

The Wildcats, hurt by key injuries and mediocre quarterback play, are off a 24-17 home loss to South Carolina.

Marshall (goldsheet.com) breaks down three more plays for Saturday (home team in CAPS):

• SOUTH FLORIDA (-24) over Syracuse: This is a heavy number, but the Bulls are capable of extending the margin against a Syracuse team they have really beaten up. South Florida has covered the past three meetings, winning each game by at least 17 points.

Junior quarterback Matt Grothe can put up points for the Bulls, who had an extra week to prepare after a loss to Pittsburgh.

If Syracuse gets hammered in this game, I could see coach Greg Robinson getting fired with a bye week ahead.

• Army (+12) over BUFFALO: The Black Knights have changed things around completely since going back to the option offense. They have covered three straight games. Army punished Tulane 44-13 and should have defeated Texas A&M. The Black Knights had zero yards passing and 341 yards rushing in last week's victory over Eastern Michigan.

Collin Mooney is an outstanding option fullback, and Buffalo's defense has not seen anything like this offense.

The Bulls are improved for coach Turner Gill, but they're coming off two gut-wrenching losses and the team could be a little depressed.

• Middle Tennessee (+14) over LOUISVILLE: The Cardinals have been unreliable home favorites under coach Steve Kragthorpe, covering just one of their past seven. Senior quarterback Hunter Cantwell might have a big league arm, but Louisville's receivers are not up to its usual standards.

Blue Raiders coach Rick Stockstill is finally starting to use his best quarterback, Dwight Dasher. With Dasher in there, I think this offense is going to do some things. Louisville's defense, which gave up 481 yards to Memphis last week, does not impress me much.

Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907.