Brett McMurphy: Trib Big East Countdown - USF #4

[Jim Johnson]

USF instant analysis: The Bulls are the hardest team to peg. Is fourth place too low for a team featuring arguably the league’s top offensive and defensive players in QB Matt Grothe and DE George Selvie? Or is fourth too high for a team that went 2-5 in league play last season and must replace 10 starters, including four on the offensive line, and both coordinators? Also, which Bulls team will emerge in 2009? The one that’s begun the past two seasons a combined 11-0 and reached No. 2 and No. 10 in the Associated Press rankings or the one that’s stumbled in closing a combined 6-9 and finishing unranked both years? . . .

Read the rest: http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/sports/comments/big-east-countdown-no.-4-usf/

[IncrediBULL]

With OL and PK in question, I might agree with him.

Those are the big question marks. 

I'd peg us at 3rd, not 4th, but that is just me.

We have the capability of 1st or 2nd, but not sure if the PK and OL issues will kill us like they did two years ago and the OL did last year.

[redfisher78]

I think that is a pretty solid run down. We gotta prove we can play well second half of the season

[smazza]

usf has turned into an underachieving program

very sad that usf cant compete in weakness bcs conference

by now i thought usf would dominate like miami of old

a 4th place finish should spell doom for leavitt

[BullsWinBucsWin]

usf has turned into an underachieving program

very sad that usf cant compete in weakness bcs conference

by now i thought usf would dominate like miami of old

a 4th place finish should spell doom for leavitt

I agree; we should have multiple national championships by now.  I mean this football program has been fielding teams for 12 years now, what are they waiting for?!

[SANJAY]

A point about the stat Brett uses about an offense gaining 405ypg and allowing 287ypg.

That is true if you use all games, including the bowl.  However, for in-conference games we averaged 350ypg gained and 326 ypg allowed.  A much different picture. 

And taking out the blowout of the 'cuse it changes to 326ypg gained and 342ypg allowed in conference.  Explains why we went 2-5 in conference. 

You expect the out-of-conference numbers to be higher, but for us to be successful the offense has to gain 400+ ypg in conference with a much lower number of turnovers.

[redfisher78]

A point about the stat Brett uses about an offense gaining 405ypg and allowing 287ypg.

That is true if you use all games, including the bowl.  However, for in-conference games we averaged 350ypg gained and 326 ypg allowed.  A much different picture. 

And taking out the blowout of the 'cuse it changes to 326ypg gained and 342ypg allowed in conference.  Explains why we went 2-5 in conference. 

You expect the out-of-conference numbers to be higher, but for us to be successful the offense has to gain 400+ ypg in conference with a much lower number of turnovers.

Good job digging into those numbers. Paints a much different picture.

[Triple B]

usf has turned into an underachieving program

To be underachieving you have to actually achieved at some point ..... When has USF football actually achieved anything in your eyes?

[South_Florida_Flip]

You expect the out-of-conference numbers to be higher, but for us to be successful the offense has to gain 400+ ypg in conference with a much lower number of turnovers.

Exactly. If you're gaining that many yards and winning the turnover battle, then you should also be controlling the clock. You won't lose many game if you have done all three of those things in a game.

[bullwark]

Maybe this will be the season the Bulls "Finish Strong", difficult to argue with Brett's prediction.