Linebackers Stepping Up for USF

The play of the linebackers will be a key factor in the game vs. Notre Dame and for the rest of the season.

Over the past few seasons, the Bulls have consistently had a solid defense no matter who the coordinator was. Last season, under Mark Snyder, the Bulls ranked among the best in the nation in both scoring and yardage allowed defense.

As the team prepares for the much anticipated game vs. the Irish of Notre Dame, the defense will be front and center in the game.

While the offense, led by junior B.J. Daniels, will be better (fingers crossed) and will have to be productive, it is the defense that will have the biggest task on hand when they face the spread offense of Brian Kelly. The secondary, aka No Fly Zone, will have their hands full with Michael Floyd and company going down field and Ryne Giddins and the new-look defensive line will have to handle whoever is calling plays under center (they still haven't picked a quarterback yet). The unit that will have to patrol the center of the field, stop the run game, and punish underneath passes is the linebacking unit.

The Bulls have one of the best, if not the best, linebacking group in the Big East and Notre Dame will be the first test for them. [keep reading]

In the middle of the unit is junior Sam Barrington. Barrington is the heart and soul of the defense and the vocal leader of the group. After finishing 2010 with 40 tackles and 6.5 for loss, he will look to increase that number as he becomes the veteran leader of the group. Barrington is known for his ability to get back in passing situations, but will also come to the line and bring pain to any poor ball carrier in his way.

Lining up next to him is sophomore Dede Lattimore (personal favorite player of mine). Lattimore started 12 games last season, totaling 47 tackles and 2.5 sacks, getting Big East freshman team honors and making the conference aware of his ability. Lattimore has progressed even more this season at linebacker and is poised for a huge season.

The other linebacking spot has been a battle, but is appears that senior Curtis Weatherspoon has taken over the job as he continues to get most of the reps at starter. Freshman Reshard Cliett, who was listed as a starter coming out of the Spring, seems to have lost his starting role to the senior, but not to worry, he will get onto the field this season.

With a solid starting three linebackers, the reserves are just as talented. Junior Michael Lanaris has been working hard this summer and can play the Sam position or move to the outside and deliver pain (great player at the line). JUCO transfer Mike Jeune has already earned a reputation as a punishing hitter (ask Eveld's chin) and will be a wrecking force in the middle.

The Bulls also have a deep depth chart of young, talented players. Armando Sanchez, moved back to linebacker from fullback during fall camp, could be in the mix. Edsel Caprice, Hans Louis, Corian Hamilton, among others, will battle to get on the field this season and it all starts with Notre Dame.

So with 12 days left, the defense will have to be physically and mentally sharp for the Notre Dame spread offense and the quick tempo they like to run. The Bulls, especially the talented and deep linebacking corps, will be front and center for this matchup.