2011-2012 Football Previews – Big East Conference – South Florida Bulls
Over the past few seasons, South Florida has been predictably… well, not world-changing, but decent. The Bulls have churned out eight-win seasons since 2008.
Big East 2011-12 Football Previews: USF Bulls
Coach: Skip Holtz
2010 Record: 8-5
USF Gambling Odds from Sportsbook.com to win BCS: +5000
USF Team Page – Players Stats – Roster – 2011 Schedule –>
This is the second year under head coach Holtz, who is known for getting a lot out of his talent.
USF is also known for recruiting speedy, athletic in-state players, even if they aren’t the most highly-touted in the nation.
Though the Bulls lose a lot of last year’s starters, the speed is up and down the roster in a rather gimmicky Big East conference (not quite as much smashmouth abuse as, say, the Big Ten). There are also a lot of new faces, but at the same time, there are savvy veterans at the crucial positions on the roster.
This of course makes USF a viable contender for the conference crown in 2011.
Team Strengths
It has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride for junior B.J. Daniels. He has stepped up and played huge in big games (such as USF’s upset of Florida State in Daniels’ first ever start as a freshman) but he’s also had some stinkers out there. The thing to remember about Daniels is that at 5”11, 215 pounds with a good arm and a quick pair of feet, he has a unique skill set.
He can beat a defense in many ways and that is what USF needs in 2011 to establish its identity. Daniels will be assisted by junior WR Evan Landi and Colorado transfer RB Darrell Scott.
On defense, there’s no denying that South Florida can fly. Examples like sophomore DE Ryne Giddins, LB Sam Barrington and safeties Jon Lejiste and Jerrell Young prove that pursuit will be the strong suit of the Bulls’s defense. Giddins, in particular, could really have a breakout season in getting to the opposition’s quarterback.
The special teams are set with K Maikon Bonani and P Justin Brockhaus-Kann.
Team Weaknesses
Chaz Hine and Jeremiah Warren are good on the interior of the offensive line, but they are the only returning starters and the Bulls could definitely have a learning curve among their front five. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Hopefully they can jell quickly, as opening holes will be vital for a beefy RB like Scott (230 lbs).
On the D-line, USF loses DT Terrell McClain, who was a first-team Big East player in ’10. Giddins should have a bigger impact at DE, but ideally, someone else in the unit must step up for optimum balance in USF’s front seven.
2011-12 USF Football Prediction: 9-4
South Florida has the talent this season to break out of the habitual eight-win finish, and the potential to do more than that if the offensive and defensive lines perform out of their depth. It is brazen to bet against Holtz, after he performed so well at East Carolina without much marquee talent.
USF’s game-plan has always been to emphasize speed rather than size and strength, but bruiser RB Scott may make opponents forget about that.
If he and Daniels lead a balanced offense and the athletic defense can make plenty of big plays, USF could very well be challenging West Virginia and Pitt for the Big East title.
2011 South Florida Bulls Schedule
9/3/11 3:30 PM ET @NOTRE
9/10/11 7:00 PM ET BALST
9/17/11 12:00 PM ET FLAM
9/24/11 12:00 PM ET UTEP
9/29/11 8:00 PM ET @PITT
10/15/11 12:00 PM ET @CONN
10/22/11 12:00 PM ET CIN
11/5/11 12:00 PM ET @RUTG
11/11/11 8:00 PM ET @SYR
11/19/11 12:00 PM ET MIAMI
11/25/11 12:00 PM ET LOU
12/1/11 8:00 PM ET WVIRG
2 replies on “2011 USF Bulls Gambling Odds | Predictions”
USF will surprise a lot of people this year and I think it will be USF and WVa playing for the Big East title in Tampa.
By the way, you have USF’s scheduled listed as West Virginia’s schedule in the article.
RTB, thanks we’ll fix that now. It’s been a long week! LOL