USF Looks Back and Ahead
(August 22, 2006)

"I'm excited about this year."

I guess you would not expect University of South Florida head football coach Jim Leavitt to say otherwise. There is excitement as the Bulls begin their tenth football season. There is even a new DVD chronicling that short history. The first year in the Big East conference yielded a bowl game in just the school's 100th game. Will this year's team be able to continue the football program's unparalleled success?

It is hard to believe everything that has happened in just nine previous seasons. From a 1996 season with recruits, but no games. From a Division I-AA to the Meineke Car Care Bowl. From Conference USA to the Big East. From office trailers to a state-of-the-art athletics complex. No football program has made such strides so quickly.

Before looking at the future, the USF Athletic Department has put out a DVD covering the first ten years of football. While it is must for true fans, at $19.95 some might feel there should be more content. There is about a fifty minute documentary and some bonus features. The best part is a highlight package covering some of the biggest plays in school history. What would have improved this disk, and made it a value at double the price, would have been some game broadcasts. The very first game, the upset win at Pittsburgh, the first C-USA game at Army, last year's win over Louisville and the Meineke Car Care Bowl would have been logical inclusions. I have to admit, talking about it does make me want to watch it again.

What can we expect from the tenth season of Bulls football? The Big East pre- season media poll did give USF more respect than last year, but still placed the Bulls fifth in the eight team league. West Virginia and Louisville are expected to battle for first with Pittsburgh and Rutgers picked to fight it out for third. The media predicted USF would finish ahead of Connecticut, Cincinnati and Syracuse. Similar to last season, this might mean the Bulls would be on the bubble for consecutive bowl bids.

The 2006 schedule, as games increase in difficulty and importance, could help the team get some momentum and attention. Home games with McNeese State and Florida International should allow USF to get its act together. Games at Central Florida and Kansas will be good preparation for the Big East schedule. The Bulls plays four of the first five conference games at home with a visit to North Carolina tossed in. Big East games in Tampa against Rutgers, Connecticut, Pittsburgh and Syracuse will only be interrupted by a road trip to one of the weaker conference teams in Cincinnati. If the Bulls can get on a roll, late November games at Louisville and at West Virginia could be huge.

This has not been the best off-season for USF. Carlton Hill, highly heralded as the answer at quarterback, has left the program. Over a half dozen members of this Spring's recruiting class have not met eligibility requirements, or had other issues. Three key players are facing suspensions that could cost half their seasons.

The offense has the most question marks. Pat Julmiste should again start at quarterback with red-shirt freshman Matt Grothe waiting in the wings. Julmiste has been inconsistent, but maybe he can put it together for his senior season. Red-shirt freshman Moise Plancher has impressed at running back. Sophomore Ricky Ponton was in that battle to replace Andre Hall before a suspension made that decision. The wide receiving corps should be lead by junior Amarri Jackson, senior S.J. Green and sophomore Marcus Edwards. Junior Jackie Chambers will be affected by suspension and sophomore Amp Lee has the talent to impress. The offensive line lost some key players and may need time to gel.

The defense should be strong with three of the best linebackers in college football. Junior Ben Moffitt and seniors Stephen Nicholas and Patrick St. Louis lead that impressive group. The secondary returns junior cornerbacks Mike Jenkins and Trae Williams, while sophomore safety Danny Verpaele returns from injury. The defensive line graduated some starters and could be hurt by the suspension of Josh Julmiste. Special teams will see sophomore Mike Benzer handle the place kicking and red-shirt freshman William Criswell is the new punter.

I have to admit I share Jim Leavitt's excitement about the 2006 season and I'll try to squeeze in another viewing of the DVD before Saturday's opener. Best case scenario would be seeing the team go something like 8-2 going into the last two games. The Bulls could break out the skunk hats again. A 6-6 season and barely qualifying for a bowl game may be more realistic. There is long history, well ten years anyway, of underestimating the USF football program. I can't wait for Saturday.