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Although in the thick of af2 American Conference things, Florida's Firecats have been scratching their helmets at the offensive misfires of the past two weeks during which they split at Daytona Beach and Boise while scoring just 88 points.

In fact, Firecats coach Kevin Bouis' team hasn't hit offensive stride since the 59-56 home loss against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton at home back on June 28, the day Florida receiver Magic Benton made his return from injury. Before that, the Firecats had cooled.

Tonight is no time for replays of offensive sputters when Florida (9-5) hosts Southern Division rival Tennessee Valley (9-5) in Germain Arena at 7:30. The Vipers and Firecats have split the previous meetings on their home turfs and both trail South Georgia (10-4) with just two games remaining in the regular season. Florida owns the tiebreaker against South Georgia.

Florida's 646 points are by far the fewest among the Southern Division's top three teams and the Firecats have dropped four of their last five games.

"Early in the season we had our rhythm offensively," Bouis said. "We've lost it the last few games and we're just trying to get it back. We had it for the first three quarters of the Wilkes game – I mean we looked as good as we have all year offensively – but then in the fourth quarter we went back to the old style offense we've had the last few weeks. We're just trying to fine-tune, simplify things and get back to where we were early in the season."

Bouis said he and his staff will rein in the Firecats, who have been doing more thinking than reacting. This week, Florida has gone back to the basics.

"We're putting it in our hands, not letting the receivers think so much," Bouis said. "They have one route to run it, let's run it and get crisp and give (quarterback Chris Wallace) some time."

That could be easier said than done as the Vipers take lethal strikes at opposing quarterbacks and insulating Wallace from heat has not exactly been a strong suit for the Firecats.

"They have a very good pass rush, one of the best – if not the best – pass-rushing teams in the league," Bouis said. "And that's been a shaky part of us this year, protecting our quarterback. So we have to do a good job up front of slowing the pass rush down. We'll have to mix in some runs, mix in some different plays. Our guys have to protect and fight the entire game."

With a rookie quarterback and without its top receiver, Tennessee Valley has had to rely on its defense to get by although the Vipers lit up Daytona Beach, 73-21, last weekend.

"But they do have a lot of weapons and we have to be ready for them," Bouis said.

Fortunately for Florida, a team that has been road-strong in the past but this season has limped back to Estero at 4-4, the Firecats finish the regular season at home, where they are 5-1. Next week, they host Daytona Beach.

But the Firecats cannot afford to look ahead.

"Right now, this is the biggest game of the season," Bouis said. "We're glad it's at home and our guys will be ready."