Bulls Report - Brett McMurphy Sports

Most Recent Entries

Monthly Archives

Big East countdown: No. 3
Posted By Brett McMurphy at Jul 01, 2008 at 11:57 PM
Updated Jul 02, 2008 at 12:01 AM

This is how I voted in the Big East’s football media poll. The entire media poll will be revealed by the league on July 29.

No. 3 SOUTH FLORIDA

USF instant analysis: With 16 returning starters, this is Jim Leavitt’s most experienced and talented team he’s had. QB Matt Grothe has lost about 10 pounds since last year which should – and defenses will love this – make him even quicker and more elusive. Sophomore RB Mike Ford should have shaken the rust off from last season and could be set for a big year behind an experienced offensive line, which could be the best in school history. The Bulls also are loaded at wide receiver, with 11 of 13 players who caught a pass last season returning. Defensively, DE George Selvie deservedly grabs all the headlines, but their success may depend more on how well Jerome Murphy and Tyller Roberts perform at cornerback replacing four-year starters Mike Jenkins and Trae Williams.

Fun with numbers: Four and three. That was USF’s record in Big East play in 2007. And 2006. And 2005. Only West Virginia has won at least four Big East games in each of the past three seasons.

If I could attend one USF game this season it would be: Of course, I’ll be at every USF game this year, but if I only could pick one it would be USF at UCF, Sept. 5. Kansas at USF and USF at West Virginia seem the obvious choices, but who wouldn’t want to be a part of history and see the final game in the always entertaining USF-UCF series? Among the highlights: to see how bad USF runs up the score this year; if any USF fans bring brooms to signify the four-game sweep of the Knights; to visit a stadium that was really built without any water fountains and what the Orlando Sentinel will write game week after a columnist rode USF’s bull and another called USF a “renegade program” the past two years. So much to see, so little time.

Why I picked USF No. 3? While the Bulls could easily prove me wrong, I don’t think the schedule sets up well for them. The short week at Cincinnati (where they’ve lost both previous trips as a favorite) and the season-finale at West Virginia (in a likely cold Morgantown setting on Dec. 6 against a team seeking double revenge) will be two tough places to win. And, yes, Louisville is down, but USF hasn’t won there – or even been competitive for that matter in two appearances. USF should hold serve at home in Big East play – but that’s not a guarantee. Since joining C-USA in 2003, USF has never been undefeated at home in league play.

USF will finish better than 3rd if: the Bulls can avoid the head-scratching upsets that have plagued them in past years (at UConn last year, at Cincy in 2006, etc.). All the pieces are there for a big year from the offense: Grothe, Ford and a ton of experienced wide receivers. Defensively, Selvie and LB Tyrone McKenzie head a defense that potentially can be as good – or better – than last year. If USF can also solve its past road stumbles and continue its domination of West Virginia, the Bulls could easily win their first Big East title and earn their first BCS bowl berth.

USF will finish worse than 3rd if: teams are able to double-team Selvie and NT Sampson Genus, who moved over from offense in the spring, is ineffective so the Bulls are unable to get to the quarterback. If that happens, Murphy and Roberts will be tested early and often and if they struggle, the defense will also. Of course, if Grothe gets hurt for any extended period of time, the Bulls will be in serious trouble. As good as the offensive line is, it’s dangerously thin, so they can’t avoid to lose any pieces there either. If K Delbert Alvarado goes in a slump that could cost USF a win or two. The Bulls also must avoid going 0-3 on the Big East road.

This is how I voted in the Big East’s media poll.

3. South Florida
4. Cincinnati
5. Rutgers
6. Louisville
7. UConn
8. Syracuse

Coming Thursday: No. 1 and 2

Send Us Your Comments

Posted by Hector Jimenez, Forsyth, GA on 07/03 at 06:25 AM

I can see USF finishing third, I think they will finish second to UConn, however I cannot envision USF falling behind PITT. They have a good core of players that could possibly have breakout seasons but they also have Coach W....and as long as they have him PITT will not finish in the top three. I say top three because finishing 4th in this conference in middle of the pack...and thats where I have them finishing, 4th.

Coach W may recruit and may motivate some but he cannot make sound, consistent coaching decisions.

I still think one of the funniest quotes is that one you and others have written about his coaching ability and because of that PITT cannot be, in my book, ahead of USF.

Posted by James, San Antonio TX on 07/02 at 01:27 PM

I think these prediction are on the money, with the exception of Pitt. I would move Pitt to # 4 and slide USF and UC up a spot. Pitt, while having ONE good game against WVU, still has not gotten it done. Once they do, maybe that will change, but that is no given. Let’s not forget USF defeated the same WVU team twice. Second, they do not have an experienced QB, and we have seen so many times how everything rises and falls on qb play. I just think they are getting a little bit too much hype from one win. They still went 5-7. And lastly, the tiebreaker is Pitt plays at USF. If the game were at Pitt, I might give them the nod. But, USF has handily beaten Pitt the last 2 years, and should be able to win a good game in Tampa this year.

Posted by Dave Weber, USF on 07/02 at 10:48 AM

I have to disagree with placing Pitt above USF. If USF finishes 3rd, I think that UCONN or Cincy will be #2. Pitt has had one good game, and it took one of the biggest choke jobs in history for them to do it. They’ve got some talent, for sure, but top to bottom, I’ll take our roster anyday. Pitt has the recruiting star illusion in their favor, but that’s all. Remember, as long as the ‘Stache and Matt Cavanaugh are involved on a coaching staff on any level (Pop Warner through the NFL), the team will underachieve.

I think we’re the solid #2 team, and due to our distraction-free spring and the motivation following an embarrasing bowl game, I think we’re in the proper mental frame-of-mind for a big season.

Posted by rashad, pc on 07/02 at 09:40 AM

i see this as a fair assessment.....i also see the bulls giving in to at least a couple of “head scratching upsets” due to the fact that leavitt fields an undisciplined team and that costs them at least 2 wins every year....would be more if they didn’t have superior talent to most of the teams they play

Posted by Brian R, Venice on 07/02 at 09:00 AM

Brett:

I can see your points but disagree. I can’t see how you have Pitt ahead of USF. I would pick USF 2nd behind WVU. I can’t see how anyone can pick a Pitt team that has been below .500 in league play the past three seasons. Dave W is a lousy game day coach and it always shows up. They will certainly be better this year but I don’t see how Pitt ends up better than USF. You can count on Dave W giving a couple games away with his coaching.

Posted by Jim Johnson, Tampa, FL on 07/02 at 06:56 AM

Given USF’s history, Brett, this is a fair assessment. Personally, I think the Sun Bowl as well as last season have taught this team some valuable lessons. Hopefully the coaches can build on those lessons and overcome the challenges this season will hold.

USF could easily be undefeated through Homecoming (Syracuse - 7-0 by then) and probably in the Top 10. How they handle that pressure on the road at Louisville and at Cincinnati will be key.

The Big Time programs have all been there before, and now so has USF. They will know what to expect when they break the Top 10… when the media come to town en masse. They were starry-eyed last year, this year they will not have a problem.

My prediction: 12-0 and playing in Miami.