Scouting Cincinnati: Offense

USF's defense is coming off a game where they didn't allow a whole lot of points, but the offense couldn't put the game away. But despite the relatively good showing on the scoreboard last week, USF turns around for homecoming weekend against a strong, high-powered Cincinnati team whose offense averages almost 42 points per game.

Quarterback

Cincinnati will be starting Zach Collaros, who led the team through last season and is back for his senior season with the Bearcats. Collaros torched the Bulls in a second-half relief effort two years ago when he came in for an injured Tony Pike, but was kept relatively silent last year as the Bulls grabbed a conference victory on the road. This year, Collaros has been using his legs a bit less and relies significantly more on his arm to make bigger plays. Through the air, Collaros has completed over 64% of his passes and has already broken 1000 yards for the season. He has thrown 11 touchdowns and four interceptions through six games. On the ground, Collaros averages 4 yards per carry and has entered the end zone four times.

Running Back

Senior Isaiah Pead is the feature back for Cincinnati, and he is without question the most experienced member of the offense. Pead enters Tampa coming off a 151-yard rushing day against Louisville, and that wasn't even the highest total for the season. Overall, Pead averages 104 yards per game on the ground and has at least one touchdown in every game so far (he has 8 total). Pead has received 11 passes on the season, but hasn't made much noise in his catches. His run offense is balanced, allowing Pead to make moves either running up the middle or stretching out the field. Pead has a tendency to change direction frequently, which could be an advantage for the Bulls' defensive line.

Receivers

Zach Collaros has many options for outlets, and the good running of Isaiah Pead allows the passing game to open up quite a bit more. Collaros's leading receiver in all categories is sophomore Anthony McClung, who 25 catches for an average of 13 yards per catch, and three touchdowns. On the other side of the field is Cincy's veteran senior D.J. Woods, who is just behind McClung with 23 catches for 284 yards and two touchdowns. What makes Cincinnati's pass offense particularly difficult to defend is that they have one more star receiver in Junior Kembrell Tompkins. The trio of receivers will stretch out the USF secondary along the length of the field, making it a particularly long day for Quenton Washington and Kayvon Webster.