The Rundown: South Florida Bulls

Skip Holtz and the South Florida Bulls are off to their worst start in recent history. After starting the season 2-0 with wins over Chattanooga and Nevada, they’ve have since lost four straight. The Bulls are 2-4 overall and 0-2 in Big East play. Skip Holtz is 1-8 in his last nine league games. I don’t think talent is their biggest issue, but this program definitely doesn’t have as much talent as it did a few years ago. South Florida has always given Louisville some trouble in years past, but for the first time in a long time I think the Cards clearly outmatch USF in the talent department, particularly on offense.

Offense:

The USF offense is led by 15^th year quarterback B.J. Daniels. I guess you could say Daniels leads the offense, but he isn’t exactly leading it in the right direction. Every season we’ve heard how BJ Daniels is the future and this is his year. Unfortunately for Daniels, he’s actually gotten worse as his career has gone on. Daniels has already matched his interception total for last year with 8. He has thrown for 10 touchdowns and an impressive 250 yards per game. Daniels is also averaging 46 rushing yards per game which is second on the team. Because we’ve seen him play great before in the past, he’s always a threat, but considering his recent play, I don’t expect him to be the same guy we saw a couple of years ago. His two favorite targets are receivers Terrence Mitchell and Andre Davis, who both have 20+ receptions on the season. Davis has been more of an end zone threat while Mitchell leads the team in catches. Demetris Murray leads the Bulls in rushing with 54 yards per game, but most of the big running plays for the Bulls come when Daniels leaves the pocket. South Florida’s offense hasn’t been as good as most expected, but it’s not their biggest issue. The Bulls are averaging over 400 yards of offense per game, but 15 total interceptions have negated that. As much as I’m confident in this game, I think Louisville’s defense will be put to the test due to Daniels ability to scramble.

Defense:

South Florida’s defense has clearly been their biggest issue this season. USF is last in the Big East in scoring defense giving up 27.5 points per game. To make matters worse, the Bulls are also last in the league in rushing defense, giving up 173 yards per game. That could be the difference maker in this one as two headed monster of Senorise Perry and Jeremy Wright could give USF a lot of trouble. Linebacker “DeDe” Lattimore has been the clear leader for the Bulls on defense this year. Lattimore leads the team in tackles (30), sacks (2.5) and tackles for a loss (5.5). Linebacker Tevin Mims is second on the team with two sacks. Linebacker Sam Berrington is second on the team this in tackles with 27 solo. The USF has been a weakness as well. The Bulls haven’t recorded an interception on the season. When the weather isn’t atrocious, I haven’t seen a defense this year that can stop Louisville’s high powered offense. I don’t expect USF to change that on Saturday.

Prediction:

The spread for this one opened at 9 and was quickly bet down to 7, which I still don’t understand. This game may be close early on, but I think Louisville playing at home and a USF team that is clearly struggling, the Cards will cover the spread with ease. I think both Jeremy Wright and Senorise Perry will have big games as the Cards cruise to a 38-15 win.