USF Must Account for Alvis Graham

Alvis Graham (on the ground, tackling the ball carrier) will be all over the field on Saturday night.

As USF prepares for the game on Saturday, not looking ahead down the road and not over looking any opponent, the Rattler defense continues to be the subject of a lot of conversations.

While they aren't the biggest team and many consider them an easy win for the Bulls, that is not the full story.

Todd Fitch mentioned the blitzing of FAMU, nearly 70% of the time, a very high ratio for anyone and bad news for Daniels. Daniels handled the Ball State blitzes well, but with the Rattlers, they will continue to throw their fast and athletic linebackers at the Bulls.

Junior Alvis Graham is one of the names people will hear all evening. The 6-2 230-pound middle linebacker has 5 tackles so far on the season, but the 3 pass break ups are a bigger number, showing his athleticism in getting back in pass coverage.

In 2009, Graham was the leading tackler for the Rattlers, totaling 69 tackles, 39 of them solo. He has had 6.5 tackles for a loss and one sack. In the loss at Miami in 2009, Graham stood out, making 12 tackles.

Graham continued his hard hitting last season, leading the team again in tackles, making 55 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks, and forced one fumble on the year.

Graham seems to be anywhere the ball is, whether in the backfield or down the field chasing and hitting someone.

The Bulls have to be focused in this game, no doubt about it. With a player like Graham running all over the field, looking to make a big play in hopes for an upset win, he will be motivated along with the rest of the defense and they will come after Daniels and the rest of the offense all night.