All Things Bull

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.