BIG EAST FOOTBALL PREVIEW: GAME #9 USF

October 30, 2008



This week's Thursday Night special features the South Florida Bulls travelling north to take on the Cincinnati Bearcats in a key Big East conference match-up. The Bulls have seen their conference championship hopes take a big hit, losing two of their last three games to fall to 1-2 in the conference.

Cincinnati is coming off a 40-16 road loss at the hands of UConn, evening the Bearcats' Big East mark at 1-1. The latest football lines have UC as a road underdog with the Bulls being a 2 1/2 point favorite in this contest.

The biggest area of concern for Cincinnati is in the injury department where quarterbacks Dustin Grutza (ankle) and Tony Pike (hand) are likely out of action again, leaving freshmen Zach Collaros and Chazz Anderson under center. Not a favorable situation against a speed USF defense

While the injury list is long for South Florida as well, only Mike Ford's name is of major concern, but they have been dealing with his gimpy ankle since the season opener. The Bulls have a very good run defense and that is the area of the game that UC will have to rely on with the inexperience at QB. That match-up is the area to exploit for the Bulls and if they can, they should put themselves back into the conference race.

Prediction:

South Florida 27
Cincinnati 17

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BIG EAST FOOTBALL PREVIEW: GAME #8 USF

October 24, 2008


Louisville gets back into Big East conference action this weekend when they welcome the Bulls of South Florida to town. After a season opening loss to Kentucky, the Cards have won four of five, inlcuding last week's 42-23 victory over Middle Tennessee State. The lone loss was to Connecticut, their lone conference contest, meaning UL is still looking for their first Big East win of the season.

The Bulls got back into the win column last weekend by trouncing Syracuse 45-13 with a big second half effort, breaking wide open a close game at the half. USF is 6-1 on the season, and their win over SU evened their record in the Big East at 1-1 following their first loss of the season to Pitt.

NCAA Football Betting lines have the Bulls as 3 1/2 point favorites on the road to keep Louisville winless in conference play.

USF outscored Syracuse 24-0 int he second half last week and rolled up 487 yards of offense, limiting SU to just 230 last week. The Bulls showed balance, piling up 239 of their yards on the ground and the other 248 through the air. Matt Grothe accounted for 320 of their yards (rushing + receiving) and four touchdowns, showing he might be back in the comfort zone as the Bulls continue to round into shape. South Florida ranks among the top 25% of the NCAA in most offensive categories, but their rush defense has been among the best in the nation so far this season and could be a big key on the road.

Jury is still out with Louisville, despite a solid 4-2 record. Their most impressive win of the year was a home victory over Kansas State, all other contests have come against lesser opponents since the opening week loss to rival Kentucky. The strength offensively for Louisville this season has been their ground game, but that will be tested by the speed of the USF defense.

The Bulls have been on the road several times this season, while they have not been dominant in their wins against lesser opponents on the road, their experience and improvement shown last week should carry then to victory this weekend, but it might be tougher than expected.

Prediction:

South Florida 30
Louisville 27

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BIG EAST FOOTBALL PREVIEW: GAME #7 USF

October 17, 2008


The inconsistencies of the South Florida Bulls finally caught up with them as USF was removed from the ranks of the unbeaten by Pittsburgh in their last outing, 26-21, on a late Panther touchdown. The Bulls had beaten a ranked Kansas squad and rolled over North Carolina State on the road in their previous outing, but they have also struggled against UCF and Florida International in prior contests. Now they must pick themselves back off the mat after losing their conference opener 16 days ago.

On the other side of the field this Saturday in Tampa will be the Syracuse Orange. There has been nothing inconsistent about SU this season, or in any season in the Greg Robinson era, as the Orange have been consistently woeful. Maybe they are showing some signs of life as they have made things difficult for Pittsburgh and West Virginia in their last two outings. SU is just 1-5 overall on the season and 0-2 in the Big East, their lone win has come against Northeastern...ouch!

The Bulls definitely needed a little bit of a breather after the Pitt game and the time-off should allow Mike Ford to reclaim his status as the USF go-to running back. Ford was impressive late in the game against Pittsburgh after being slowed since the season opener because of injuries. QB Matt Grothe could use the help as he has been expected to carry the full offensive load lately.

The Syracuse defense actually had an impressive outing against the Mountaineers in their last game, before falling 17-6 in Morgantown. WVU managed just 268 total yards of offense and 92 of those came on one play late in the game on a Noel Devine touchdown run. However, the USF offense will be much better prepared this week to attack the Cuse from air and ground.

The NCAA Football Lines show USF to be a 24-point favorite in this contest. Look for a well-rested Bulls squad to get back on track and feast on some imported Oranges from central NY on Saturday afternoon.


Prediction:

South Florida 42
Syracuse 14

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