Schedule Analysis: What to Expect the Rest of the Season for USF Football

At 2-4 (0-2) the Bulls will be fighting just to get back to .500, with a bowl game a distant dream.  Looking at the remaining schedule, it will be a tough task for the Bulls to rally and get off of this losing streak.  Let’s take a quick look at what the Bulls have left and what might happen in these games.

At Louisville – After a bye week, the Bulls hit the road to take on the conference favorite Louisville.  The Cardinals, ranked, will be looking to defend their home turf as they battle for the Big East title.  Having an off week to rest and regroup, could help the Bulls come out focused in this game and with the talent USF has, it should be a very competitive game.  With that said, Louisville is on a hot streak right now and it would be a major upset if the Bulls derailed from their Big East hopes in this one.  I don’t have the Bulls winning this game, even though it will be close.  With a loss, USF would be 2-5 (0-3).

Syracuse – The Orange come to town for USF homecoming for this game.  The Bulls, after beating Cuse for their only Big East win last season, will be trying to defend their home during this important week.  Syracuse, not a major power house itself, has an up-tempo offense now, a veteran quarterback in Ryan Nassib, and a very aggressive defense front that will keep the USF off balance.  This game will probably be very tight, with a low score outcome. I have the Bulls getting the win here, although it probably won’t be a pretty game to watch: 3-5 (1-3).

UCONN – Another home game, another tough opponent.  UCONN is one of the best defensive teams in the conference and also one of the worst on offense.  For the Bulls, this probably means another low scoring affair that could be decided on a last second field goal or a turnover.  For some reason, UCONN always seems to have our number and with the type of season we are having (unless the team somehow rallies late) this could be an ugly game that does not favor the Bulls.  I have UCONN winning this one, 3-6 (1-4).

At Miami – The Bulls pack up and head south to take on in-state foe Miami.  Last year, Miami beat USF 6 to 3 in one of the ugliest games I’ve seen in a long time (although Ball State is right up there now).  The Bulls beat Miami two years ago in their own house, but they are a lot more talented now and with Al Golden calling the shots and an offense that can hang points on anyone, Miami will be tough to beat and the Bulls just don’t have it, at least at this stage, to compete in this game.  I have Miami sadly winning this one too, 3-7 (1-4).

At Cincinnati – The last road trip of the season and it’s going to be a tough one.  The Bearcats and their spread offense have been playing well all season.  Unless something changes late in the year, Coach Jones and his team will continue to hang up points and contend for the Big East title.  USF has always struggled in Cincinnati and with the weather a little cold up there and a raucous crowd behind them, I just see the Bearcats winning this one too.  USF would be 3-8 (1-5).

Pitt – The last game of the season.  The last game for the senior class as B.J. Daniels and company lace up for the final time as Bulls at Raymond James Stadium.  There will be a lot of emotion, heart, and determination in this game to send out this senior class with a win and to end the year on a high note.  Pitt, which looked great vs. Va Tech and then awful vs. Syracuse, is one of the most confusing teams in the conference.  It will probably be another low scoring game, but USF should prevail in this one, 4-8 (2-5).

So there you have it, a 4-8 (2-5) record.  Not the prettiest record, but it could happen.  Trust me when I say, I want this team to do better, but looking at how things are going right now, any better than 4-8 would be a miracle.  Can this team do better?  Of course they can, the talent is there.  Will they do better?  Unless the coaching staff figures something out or the team rallies, it may not happen at all.