Sophomores Craig Marshall and David Bedford are listed as defensive ends for the University of South Florida, but don’t be surprised to see them get a lot of playing time at tackle.

“They’ll play both positions,” defensive coordinator Wally Burnham said. “Here’s the reason: we play so much nickel defense and because we twist and do things inside and inside people end up on the outside.”

Marshall and Bedford are among several lineman bidding for playing time behind returning starters George Selvie and Jarriett Buie at ends and DT Aaron Harris.

DOWN GOES TAYLOR! DOWN GOES TAYLOR! A funny thing happened at USF’s practice on Thursday – a WNBA melee broke out.

Actually it was somewhere between Ali-Frazier and the recent WNBA brawl, as LB Brouce Mompremier and RB Jamar Taylor were throwing punches at each other.

They were participating in “board drills,” pitting two players a few feet away with the goal to drive, or block, the other as far as possible. USF coach Jim Leavitt wasn’t concerned with the scuffle.

“They get tired,” he said. “They get tired, and they get frustrated. With frustration comes anger. With anger comes conflict. That means you’re going to have people pushing and shoving.”

Leavitt said he usually doesn’t try to break up any scuffles. “I don’t want to get my hand broken, or my nose broken,” Leavitt said. “I broke my nose three times playing football. I don’t need it broken again. I’m too tired to yell. I want to get to practice.”

ODDS AND ENDS: WR Taurus Johnson (leg) and DT Aaron Harris (sore back) were slowed during Thursday’s practice. … Sports Illustrated’s college football preview ranks the Bulls No. 21. The magazine predicts USF will finish 8-4 (including a non-conference loss to Kansas) and 4-3 in Big East play. SI also predicts USF will play Troy in the Papajohns.com Bowl.