USF Finalizes 2012 Non-conference Schedule with Chattanooga

The Bulls have finalized their 2012 non-conference schedule with the addition of the Chattanooga Mocs.

As reported by V5 yesterday, the 2012 non-conference portion of the football schedule has been finalized. The Bulls will take on the Chattanooga Mocs on September 1st in 2012 to open the season.(An interesting note that has been pointed out by V5 and others. The Mocs have played the Heisman winner and eventual National Champions the last 3 years. 2008 with Sam Bradford and Oklahoma, 2009 with Mark Ingram and Alabama, and 2010 with Cam Newton and Auburn. They play Nebraska this season and then USF, so pray history repeats itself). [keep reading]

The Bulls will pay the Mocs $435,000 for the matchup, finalizing what looks to be one of the most challenging seasons is recent USF football history.

Here is the non-conference schedule:

Sept. 1 - Tennessee-Chattanooga

Sept. 22 - at Ball State

Sept.29 - FSU

Nov. 11 - at Miami

While the Chattanooga game should be a win in the books, as well as the Ball State game (we will have to see how that program is doing by then), the other two games are just tough. Jimbo Fisher and FSU are rising. With the coaching staff, the recruiting and their ability to win, it will be a huge game for the Bulls. The game against Miami is another big time test late in the year against Al Golden and the Hurricanes who will be back to power, just wait.

The home portion of the Big East portion of the schedule looks like this:

Pitt

UCONN

Rutgers

Syracuse

Pitt is probably the biggest game out of all of those and will have a high speed offense to watch out for. UCONN, we will have to wait and see. Rutgers and the fighting Snookies is always a tough matchup and Syracuse, if they continue to recruit and rise, should be a challenge.

The road portion of the schedule looks like this:

TCU

Louisville

WVU

Cincinnati

This looks rough. Incoming TCU is a powerhouse and playing in Texas will be a great but difficult game. Louisville and Charlie Strong are rising, so expect a fight there. It is never easy to play WVU and their new offense will be putting up plenty of points. Cincinnati should be still around and will get better on defense, so there is no easy game.

So there you have it, the 2012 schedule. It is going to be a tough one, but hopefully Holtz and staff will get the players they need, coach them up and have them ready for it (but time to focus on now!)