All Things Bull

College Football News

The hot team early last year, South Florida faded near the end and clunked in a blowout bowl loss to Oregon. Now the expectations are high with a veteran offense and George Selvie-led defense that should reload in a hurry. Check out the CFN USF preview.

Athlon Sports

USF began playing intercollegiate football in 1997. It joined Division I-A (now FBS) in 2001, and by the seventh game of the 2007 season, the Bulls were the No. 2-ranked team in the country. The school’s entire meteoric rise has been overseen by coach Jim Leavitt, who was hired as head coach on Dec. 12, 1995, before the program even existed. Read More…

More will be posted as they come out…

Things are looking very good for USF next year.

First, USF’s Big East schedule shapes up really well… USF gets to play Louisville (who loses most of their offense next season), West Virginia (which will have a new coach and will probably lose their offensive stars), and Cincinnati (which loses its big name players). The challenging teams — Rutgers (assuming Rice returns for a senior year) and U Conn (returning 20 of 22 starters) — along with a rebuilding Pitt team and the Syracuse Orange all play at Raymond James.

Second, the out of conference games are easier than last year. The big name is Kansas, but they come to Tampa. USF opens FIU’s new stadium in Miami, but it’s FIU. Road trips to Raleigh (NC State) and Orlando (UCF) could be the hardest games of the year — but NC State loses a chunk of their defense and UCF could lose Kevin Smith to the NFL early.

The only question mark on the schedule is Tennessee-Martin — and that is only because ESPN wants to move the Kansas game to same weekend. Tennessee-Martin wants to get out of the contract, so I don’t expect them to agree to moving the game.

So the schedule is set up really well for USF.

Now, add to this USF’s team: most of the offense returns, losing only Amarri Jackson and linemen Walter Walker, Jared Carnes, and Nick Capogna. The receiving corps is solid enough that Jackson’s role this year was minimized. The losses on the line will be filled with able back ups who filled in for injuries… so we have plenty of experience on the offensive side of the ball.

On defense, USF loses a lot. There is no reason to gloss over this aspect. Mike Jenkins and Trae Williams — the best corner tandem in the nation — will probably both be drafted. On the DL, USF loses four of the eight on the 2-deep, including 3 tackles and an end. If Jarret Buie doesn’t graduate by August, we lose him too. Ben Moffitt graduates, leaving another hole in the linebacking corps. To be sure, the DL will be the biggest issue. At DB we have solid and speedy backups, along with some great safeties. Tyrone McKenzie will likely take over in the middle, with others stepping up.

When you compare who USF loses to the the other Big East teams, the losses are not as bad.

So, we have a good team coming back… one that has experience with pressure and limelight… and we have a schedule that sets up very well for a good run. Add to that a probably Top 25 pre-season ranking, and USF could be back to the Top 5 in the nation fairly quickly.

2008 looks to be an exciting season.

I can’t wait.

Just a little perspective on some of the things we can expect from the Big East in ‘08…

The easiest thing is to realize how many players are or are not returning…

Louisville - Returns 11 of 22 starters

Before the announcements that Urrutia was entering the draft and A. Allen was transferring, the Cardinals were looking forward to a rebuilding year in ‘08.

They now lose all 4 of their top 4 receivers and now their leading runner, along with their starting QB… they also lose 2 starting lineman… as well as their starting and backup placekickers… Their offense is going to be quite different next year…

On defense, where they struggled this season, the Cards only loses 4 starters… so they can continue working hard…

USF plays @ Louisville in 2008

West Virginia - Returns 14 of 22 starters

Yes, the Big East champions will return most of their current offense… that is, if Steve Slaton and Pat White do not decide to turn pro. With Coach Rich Rodriguez leaving for Michigan — I could easily see Slaton and White bolting early; coaching changes are not good for potential Heisman candidates (see Brohm, Brian).

Regardless, Darius Reynaud and Owen Scmitt are leaving… but the entire OL returns… so if White & Slaton leave, the offense loses most of its big name stars… leaving young Noel Devine in the backfield.

On defense, the Mountaineers lose 3 of 4 starting DBs and 8 of 23 overall DBs on the roster… add them to the other 3 starting defenders, and the Mountaineers lose just over half of their defense…

USF plays @ West Virginia in 2008

Cincinnati - Returns 12 of 22 starters

The Bearcats had a good run in 2007 with a team that is loaded with seniors… Ben Mauk is technically done, although Cincinnati is asking Wake Forest to apply for a medial redshirt for Mauk… UC also loses its top 2 running backs and 3 offensive linemen…

On Defense, Nakamura is gone — after being a thorn in USF’s side the past couple of seasons… they lose four others…

USF plays @ Cincinnati in 2008

Connecticut - Returns 20 of 22 starters

No, that is not a typo. Only 2 starting Huskies are leaving — both on defense. All 11 starters on offense return. The only departing “offensive” senior is KR/PR Taylor…

USF plays Connecticut at home in 2008

Rutgers - Returns 16 of 22 starters

The Scarlet Knights only lose 3 starting linemen, assuming RB Ray Rice decides to return for his senior season… on defense they lose 1 DL, 1 LB, and 1 DB… but they do lose PK Ito - who has helped burn USF the past two seasons.

USF plays Rutgers at home in 2008

Pittsburgh - Returns 16 of 22 starters

The Wannstache inked an extension of his contract with the Panthers… and the win in the Backyard Brawl effectively called off the dogs… now Pitt looks to next year with most of the offense returning, only losing 2 linemen… On defense, they only lose 2 DL and 2 DBs…

USF plays Pittsburgh at home in 2008

Syracuse - Returns 13 of 22 starters

The Orange lose a lot of non-starters this year… but only 8 total starters are gone… three of them are offensive linemen an one is a tight end… two defensive linemen, two defensive backs, and one linebacker… Now the team will really be Coach Robinson’s…

USF plays Syracuse at home in 2008

With the BCS rankings today, USF looks to be heading to the Sun Bowl.

New Year’s Eve in El Paso!

1) USF’s Game

SAT 11/24 - #23 USF 48 (9-3, 4-3) at Pittsburgh 37 (4-7 , 2-4)

2) Games involving one or more schools on USF’s 2006 schedule.

SAT 11/24 - UTEP 20 (4-8, 2-6) at #34 UCF 36 (9-3, 7-1)
SAT 11/24 - #20 Connecticut 14 (9-3, 5-2) at #3 West Virginia 66 (10-1, 5-1)
SAT 11/24 - Duke 14 (1-11, 0-8) at North Carolina 20 (4-8, 3-5) OT
SAT 11/24 - #24 Cincinnati 52 (9-3, 4-3) at Syracuse 31 (2-10, 1-6)
SAT 11/24 - Florida Atlantic 55 (6-5, 5-1) at Florida International 23 (0-11, 0-6)
SAT 11/24 - Alabama 10 (6-6, 4-4) at #26 Auburn 17 (8-4, 5-3)

Idle: #35 Rutgers (7-4, 3-3), Louisville (5-6, 2-4)
Regular Season Complete: Elon (7-4, 4-3)

3) Games involving at least one team ranked higher than the 2nd highest Big East team.

If the highest and 2nd highest teams can move up and up the polls, then there is at least a chance that 2 Big East teams could make the 10 BCS slots. Big East ranks: #3 West Virginia, #20 Connecticut

THU 11/22 - #11 USC 44 (9-2, 6-2) at #6 Arizona State 24 (9-2, 6-2)
FRI 11/23 - #32 Arkansas 50 (8-4, 4-4) at #1 LSU 48 (10-2, 6-2) 4 OT
FRI 11/23 - #13 Texas 30 (9-3, 5-3) at Texas A&M 38 (7-5, 4-4)
SAT 11/24 - #8 Virginia Tech 33 (10-2, 7-1) at #16 Virginia 21 (9-3, 6-2)
SAT 11/24 - Miami (FL) 14 (5-7, 2-6) at #14 Boston College 28 (10-2, 6-2)
SAT 11/24 - #18 Tennessee 52 (9-3, 6-2) at #28 Kentucky 50 (7-5, 3-5) 4 OT
SAT 11/24 - #7 Georgia 31 (10-2, 6-2) at Georgia Tech 17 (8-4, 4-4)
SAT 11/24 - #9 Oregon 0 (8-3, 5-3) at UCLA 16 (6-5, 5-3)
SAT 11/24 - #38 Oklahoma State 17 (6-6, 4-6) at #10 Oklahoma 49 (10-2, 6-2)
SAT 11/24 - #33 Florida State 12 (4-4, 7-5) at #12 Florida 45 (9-3, 5-3)
SAT 11/24 - #4 Missouri 36 (11-1, 7-1) at #2 Kansas 28 (11-1, 7-1)

Regular Season Complete: #5 Ohio State (11-1, 7-1), #18 Illinois (9-3, 6-2)

4) Games involving a Top 12 non-BCS team, or a Top 16 non-BCS team ranked higher than any BCS conference’s highest ranked team.

If no teams from the non-BCS conferences make the BCS, then that would mean 4 at-large slots in the 5 BCS bowls. This increases the chances for 2 Big East teams to be selected.

No Mid-Major Team is ranked in the Top 12 or both Top 16 and ahead of the lowest BCS conference leader (#8 Virginia Tech). Highest ranked non-BCS team: #15 Hawaii

FRI 11/23 - #19 Boise State 27 (10-2, 7-1) at #15 Hawaii 39 (11-0, 8-0)

5) Other games of interest, including teams ranked near USF.

USF is #23 in the BCS.

SAT 11/24 - Utah 10 (8-4, 5-3) at #25 Brigham Young 17 (9-2, 7-0)
SAT 11/24 - #22 Clemson 23 (9-3, 5-3) at South Carolina 21 (6-6, 3-5)

Regular Season Complete: #21 Wisconsin (9-3, 5-3), #27 Texas Tech (8-4, 4-4), #29 Air Force (9-3, 6-2), #30 Michigan (8-4, 6-2), #31 Penn State (8-4, 4-4)

The Bowls Page has been updated for Week 13.

Don’t forget to check back as bowl games are announced…

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