Five Ways USF Can Win or Lose this Game to Nevada

The Bulls haven’t been this far out west for a game since 2007 when they faced Oregon in the Sun Bowl (let’s try not to remember that game).  While the Nevada team poses several challenges, traveling that far out west poses other challenges. Here are 5 ways USF can win and lose this game.

Five Ways USF Wins This Game

1.   Swarm to the Ball – The Bulls have a very fast and athletic defense, something that will give them an advantage against an offense that relies on speed and attacking the gaps.  The Bulls must fly to the ball carrier (running back, quarterback, doesn’t matter who) and make sure they do not get to the edge where their blockers can set up and stop them for minimal gains and get off the field.

2.   Athletes all Over the Place – When we talk about speed, it is on both sides of the ball.  USF has probably their deepest and most talented group of skill players in program history, which (fingers crossed) lead to big numbers and plays.  The Bulls will be able to rotate fresh, fast legs on the field the entire game and that should help them keep the offense on the field and keep the pistol offense on the sidelines.

3.   B.J. Daniels – The senior leader of the offense, Daniels is poised to lead the team to new levels this season and this is his first big chance to show everyone how much he has matured during his career.  While the UTC game was fun to watch, this is a real test (out west, tougher opponent) where he can finally show us what he is made of.

4.   Execute the Game Plan – The Bulls will have a plan when they arrive in Reno and they will need to stick to it.  The coaching staff knows this is a real tough test for the team in just the second week of the season, so they will have to work hard with the team, watch tape, and prepare for a tough game.  The Bulls can’t get out of position during the game, or it could lead to major problems.

5.   No Mistakes – Part of executing the game plan, the Bulls will be a very hostile environment and facing a team that will feast on our mistakes.  Defensive mistakes, turnovers, and stalled drives could really hurt the team and give the Wolf Pack more possession, something Holtz and company don’t want to see happen.

Five Ways USF Loses This Game

1.  Time Difference – 3 hour time difference doesn’t sound like much, but for those who have traveled out west, it makes a difference (especially those who have never traveled out west).  The team will have to get over the jet lag, something they have never had to really deal with before and prepare for a high powered team that is ready to open its home opener. 

2.   Let Nevada Dictate the Pace – Nevada is an offense that likes to move fast, running the option, and wearing down a defense.  The Bulls, an athletic team, will need to control the clock, which means stopping their pistol offense, getting off the field, and allowing the Bulls to make long, extended drives in the game, scoring, and keeping Coach Ault and squad to the side.  If they allow the Wolfpack to run and stay on the field, it could be a long day at the office for the Bulls.

3.  Playing on the Road – The road has always been a tough place for the Bulls to get wins and traveling 2 hours out west to an area they have never been to will be tough. Factor in Nevada has a dry climate (vs. the 100000% humidity rate we enjoy here), a home crowd that will be in full force for the home opener, It will be very hard for the team to beat the odds and get the win.

4.  Turnovers – Sounds like we cover this every time, but for the Bulls, it means even more.  The team was hampered last season with bad turnovers at the worst points in games, leading to heart breaking defeats.  The Bulls have to take care of the ball, not turn it over and allow the Wolf Pack to get the momentum and the crowd going.

5.  Out of Position – As we mentioned before with shooting the gaps and playing zone, the Bulls cannot allow the Wolf Pack on offense to beat us in their schemes and get the USF defenders out of position, taking bad ankles, and chasing them down the field.  If Nevada is able to get the Bulls confused and have them taking wrong ankles, it could be a bad day.