BIG EAST FOOTBALL PREVIEW: GAME #3 SOUTH FLORIDA

September 11, 2008


It is a short week for both Kansas and South Florida as they two rising programs meet for their own edition of Friday Night Lights.

I am still trying to figure out exactly how Central Florida was able to take USF to overtime last weekend. We are not really complaining, as we picked the Bulls to win, but sided with UCF plus the 14 in the sportsbook.

Anyway, it should not have been that close. South Florida out-gained UCF 504 yards to 226. Had 25 1st downs compared to just 12 for UCF. UCF was penalized 12 times for nearly 150 yards, and, it took OT for the Bulls to come out with a victory in the closing game of the rivalry.

One factor is the injury to USF star RB Mike Ford, who is again listed as questionable because of an ankle injury. With Ford out of the line-up, pretty much everything goes through QB Matt Grothe. Last week Grothe threw the ball 40 times and ran it another 20, accounting for 60 of their 85 offensive plays. Not a bad idea, but to beat Kansas, they will either need a healthy Ford or more offensive balance.

The Jayhawks are 2-0 after outscoring Florida International and Louisiana Tech 69-10 in a pair of home victories. This will be their first test and it comes on the road in front of a juiced up Friday night crowd, a tough situation for KU. However, quarterback Todd Reesing is a cool customer who threw for nearly 3,500 yards with 33 touchdowns and just 7 interceptions last season. Do not expect him to be too rattled by the environment.

Current football lines are showing USF as the 3.5-point favorite, I do think they respond in front of the home folks and are a source of pride for the Big East on Friday night.

Prediction:

South Florida 27
Kansas 21