USF PREVIEW

Before we get down to business, I need to call someone out on this blog.  I started this blog only a few months ago and have already have given Pitt students their due credit for being dedicated and rowdy at the football games.  No matter what the alumni and casual fans did for games, I always knew the students would be there.  When I gave up my season tickets to move even further away from Pittsburgh, the Zoo was always there in full force.  Then…I READ THIS http://pittnews.com/newsstory/sweet-caroline-lets-go-home/ ???  Do you think anyone notices?  I don’t know, let’s see what potential recruit, Bam Bradley said on his recent visit.  “The game was nice; I really enjoy that Sweet Caroline before the fourth quarter.  It’s sweet how the student section did it.”  Luckily he was there for the Notre Dame game where students stayed and not at another one where the actions described in the Pitt News took place.  COME ON ZOO…step it up!  If you don’t listen to me, listen to Bluto at least (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7vtWB4owdE&feature=related ).

OK, now that we have that out of the way, let’s get on to South Florida.  The Bulls come in with a 4-0 record and ranked 14^th in the USA Today Poll and 16^th in the AP Poll.  A national TV audience will witness kickoff Thursday night at 8PM at Heinz Field.  I know that everyone is ready to jump off a bridge and put this one in the L column, but I’m pulling a Lee Corso on this one….”NOT SO FAST MY FRIEND!”  Sure USF is ranked 23^rd in passing, 20^th in rushing, and 10^th in points per game in the NCAA, FBS.  Their defense is also 22^nd in points against.  Don’t get me wrong, they are good and this will be a dog fight, but let’s look deeper. 

Their opponents combined records are 9-7.  Their most convincing win was at Notre Dame.  That win is impressive right?  Sure  it was, but remember last week when I said the Irish should be 3-0 heading into Pittsburgh?  Here’s why:  5 turnovers for the Irish, 0 for the Bulls;  The Irish outgained USF 508-254; They won 23-20 and their first score came off a 96 yard fumble return, their 3^rd score off a 34 yard punt return, and their 4^th score was off a fumbled punt return from the Irish; besides that, ND also threw an interception in the end zone from the USF 7 yard line and also threw another at the South Florida 4 yard line, with that play originating from the USF 5 (in case you were thinking they were deep desperation throws).  Oh, and for good measure, they missed a field goal as well.  Despite all of that, a win is a win in the end and USF is 4-0 and their other wins are by impressive margins.

As it has the past 2 years, the Bulls start and end with Junior QB, BJ Daniels.  He has 1,071 yards passing (8 TDs) and 201 yards rushing.  Keeping him under wraps will be key….I know, I know, NEWS FLASH, in a related story, Ted Leonsis is fat (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-sports-bog/post/ted-leonsis-im-fat/2011/09/26/gIQArwbpzK_blog.html ).  The Bulls do have other weapons.  Their running back is Junior Darrell Scott and he is having a solid season so far with 348 yards rushing and 5 TDs.  When Daniels does draw his arm back, he loves to look for Sophomore Sterling Griffin (248 yards and 1 TD) and Junior Lindsay Lamar (124 yards and 2 TDs).  If Pitt can find a way to control the offense like they did with Notre Dame, it will be clutch in bringing home a victory.  Hopefully the defense plays the same way….Juan Price, Brandon Lindsey,  Aaron Donald, and company must get pressure on Daniels and keep it on all game.

When Pitt has the ball, they must do more then what USF is giving up.  17 points against is a stellar number, despite the weak schedule so far.  Still, USF can be had.  Despite several miscues per game, Tino and the offense are gradually getting better….though not at the lightening quick pace that most would like to see…or more appropriately expect and demand.  They gave up over 500 yards to Notre Dame.  They are typical USF….very fast, especially on the defensive line.  Still, they are pretty solid and it would be great if Ray Graham has a Ray Graham like night.

How about special teams?  The Bulls’ excellent punt returner, Terrence Mitchell will miss Thursday night’s game with a concussion.  Pitt’s kicker, Kevin Harper, has found his stride and is hitting extra points and field goals much better than the first two weeks.   This could be an edge for Pitt.

So, let’s look at a prediction for Thursday night, shall we?  I believe Pitt continues to get closer to clicking and if you have followed this blog, I have picked against them the last two games.  Not this time!  Pitt 31  USF 27 and just a gut feeling, freshman Ronald Jones begins to contribute a little more and makes a couple of big plays for the Panthers!