CFN Fearless Prediction: USF 30 - UCF 17

[Jim Johnson]

UCF (3-2) at South Florida (5-0) 12:00, ESPNU

Why to watch: South Florida got a scare from Florida Atlantic last week, which gives Jim Leavitt just enough ammunition to remind his team that all of its prosperity can evaporate with four bad quarters.  The Bulls were surprisingly sloppy on defense, which must be corrected, but also showed resiliency by holding on in a game they easily could have lost.  Now No. 5 in both major polls, USF needs to show it can play with a target on its chest beginning with this week’s visit from budding rival UCF.  The Knights have some regrouping to do after playing their worst game of the season, a 52-38 loss to East Carolina that could come back to haunt them in the Conference USA East race.  After imploding in the second half last Saturday, UCF must bounce back quickly from its low point of an otherwise solid campaign.  Head coach George O’Leary believes the Knights can get to where USF currently resides, and a program-first win over a ranked team is exactly what they need to catapult to the next level.

Why UCF might win: The South Florida defense showed hints of vulnerability in Fort Lauderdale last week, which will be exposed by nation’s leading rusher Kevin Smith and the 38-point-a-game Knight offense.  Smith has supercharged the running game, while the offensive line has allowed just five sacks in five games, a great sign with DE George Selvie and the Bulls up next.  USF has turned the ball over eight times in the last two games, and will not dodge another bullet if it continues to be careless with the football.

Why South Florida might win: With Benjamin Williams running well and Mike Ford returning from a one-game suspension, the Bulls will establish a ground game versus a UCF defense that got picked apart by East Carolina in Greenville.  On defense, look for an inspired effort from Selvie and the rest of the nation’s 13th-ranked scoring defense.  The Big East’s best pass defense will dominate erratic Knight QB Kyle Israel, picking off a couple of his passes and taking one back for six.  UCF is also 116th in the country defending kickoffs, giving USF’s Jerome Murphy plenty of chances for big returns.

Who to watch: The young UCF receivers versus the veteran USF secondary is a mismatch in the Bulls’ favor.  Corners Trae Williams and Mike Jenkins and safeties Nate Allen and Carlton Williams form the best secondary Israel and the Knights will face this year.  If Kamar Aiken and Rocky Ross can’t soften the South Florida defense, Smith will labor to find running room Saturday afternoon.

What will happen: Feeding off the energy of the home crowd, South Florida will befuddle the UCF offense and keep Smith from taking over the game.  Leavitt will ride Williams, who bowled his way to a school-record four scores last week, to a perfect first half of the season.

CFN Prediction: South Florida 30 … UCF 17... Line: South Florida -12

Must See Rating: (5 Hideki Matsui's "collection" - 1 The Heartbreak Kid) ... 2.5

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[TheBullies]

That sums it up!

[MarketingGuy]

Nice!

[Sunil]

That was a pretty accurate write-up. If our defense comes out to play and the offense eliminates the mistakes, there's no reason this shouldn't be a home win. But if we keep missing tackles/assignments on D, as well as turning the ball over on offfensel...UCF is more than capable of winning.

[Jihme]

let's hope it's more like 38-10

[Matt]

i want 40 points

[Orlando Bull]

i want 40 points

So let it be written...so let it be done.

[crambone]

i want 40 points

So let it be written...so let it be done.

Here ends the reading.

[BullMedic]

That is a pretty good prediction. But I really feel that our defense will bounce back and play extremely hard so that they can prove they belong in the top 10! I would love to see B. Williams give us a consistent running game and Grothe start passing more. But along with Grothe, consistent WR's would boost our offense so much. No more dropped passes and fumbles.

[BDYZR]

SLATON, WHITE - 1 = BULLS WIN!

Does anyone think that they can run the ball better than WVU?

I don't think so.

GO BULLS!

FINISH STRONG!