USF 2011 Preview
(August 16, 2011)
USF 2011 Preview
(August 16, 2011)
The University of South Florida football team is getting some respect this season. After winning five of their last seven games in 2010, including a bowl win over Clemson, many are expecting the Bulls to complete for a Big East title in 2011.
| Date | Opponent | Site |
| Sat Sep 3 | Notre Dame | South Bend, IN |
| Sat Sep 10 | Ball State | Tampa |
| Sat Sep 17 | Florida A&M | Tampa |
| Sat Sep 24 | Texas-El Pasco | Tampa |
| Thr Sep 29 | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh |
| Sat Oct 15 | Connecticut | East Hartford |
| Sat Oct 22 | Cincinnati | Tampa |
| Sat Nov 5 | Rutgers | Piscataway, NJ |
| Fri Nov 11 | Syracuse | Syracuse |
| Sat Nov 19 | Miami (FL) | Tampa |
| Fri Nov 25 | Louisville | Tampa |
| Thr Dec 1 | West Virginia | Tampa |
Second year head coach Skip Holtz commented, “There’s still a lot of question marks and still a lot of growth and development as a team to get there, but I certainly feel like we have a chance to get there right now. I certainly feel like we have a chance to line up and compete for the Big East championship, which is what our goals are.”
The success of the Bulls may depend on which B.J. Daniels shows up. The junior quarterback was the Most Valuable Player of the Meineke Car Care Bowl, however, he was plenty inconsistent over the season. If Daniels plays to his potential, USF will be tough. Sophomore Bobby Eveld saw some action last season, sophomore Ryan Epps did not, and the only other QB is true freshman Matt Floyd.
Running back is a position where transfers may take control. Junior Darrell Scott, a Colorado transfer, is a big load to bring down. Auburn transfer Dontae Aycock, a sophomore, has potential. Incumbent junior Demetris Murray will have plenty of pressure on him. Sophomores Marcus Shaw and Bradley Battles may have to wait for playing time.
Wide receiver is a position where the Bulls have been weak, however, the return from injury of senior A.J. Love and sophomore Sterling Griffin will be a big plus. Sophomore Terrence Mitchell has shown signs of brilliance and junior Evan Landi has been a go-to guy. Junior Lindsey Lamar should be in the mix and junior Victor Marc has impressed coaches. Freshman Andre Davis has some raw talent and sophomore Stephen Bravo-Brown may have to wait. It looks like junior Andreas Shields will start at tight end over sophomore Isaac Virgin .
Only two starters return to the offensive line, seniors Jeremiah Warren and Chaz Hine, who will move over to center. Junior Mark Popek has experience, while junior Danous Estenor and senior Kevin McCaskill will see playing time. Red shirt Freshman Quinterrius Eatmon is likely in the mix.
| 1) West Virginia 188 (21) |
| 2) Pittsburgh 162 (2) |
| 3) USF 151 (1) |
| 4) Syracuse 98 |
| 5) Cincinnati 96 |
| 6) Connecticut 76 |
| 7) Louisville 60 |
| 8) Rutgers 33 |
| Poll of media members covering the Big East, three from each school. First place votes in parentheses. |
Defensively the Bulls have strength at linebacker. Junior Sam Barrington and sophomore DeDe Lattimore are big play guys. Senior Mike Lanaris, red shirt freshman Reshard Cliett and senior Curtis Weatherspoon will fight for the other starts.
The secondary has some depth with senior safety Jerrell Young , junior strong safety Jon Lejiste, senior cornerback Quenton Washington and junior cornerback Kayvon Webster. Sophomore safety Mark Joyce will press and junior CB George Baker may have a relief role.
The defensive line will be anchored by ends Patrick Hampton, a senior, and sophomore Ryne Giddins. Junior Cory Grissom and senior Keith McCaskill are the frontrunners for the tackle positions, however, it might be tough to keep to sophomore Julius Forte and true freshman Elkino Watson off the field.
Junior Maikon Bonani will handle the place kicking duties, while red shirt freshman Chris Veron may take over punting duties from junior Justin Brockhaus-Kann.
The Bulls are one of those team that has the potential to surprise some folks. If they win the opener at Notre Dame, many will be jumping on the bandwagon. It is an interesting schedule with four of the first five Big East games on the road and the last two at home. If all goes well, the December 1st game against West Virginia could be for the Big East championship.
