Bulls Ready for Big Time?
(August 27, 2007)

The University of South Florida football team is on a roll heading into 2007. Coming off an impressive 9-4 season and the school's first bowl victory, the Bulls have reached a new level. Entering the program's twelfth season, there is now a level of expectation. Many have noticed the Bulls and the team has been getting national press coverage.

USF is a a contender, but the competition will be tough. The Big East Conference is coming off an incredible season where the schools went 5-0 in bowl games. Louisville, West Virginia and Rutgers are legitimate top 15 teams with USF near the top 25. West Virginia QB Pat White and RB Steve Slaton, Louisville QB Brian Brohm and Rutgers RB Ray Rice are mentioned as Heisman Trophy candidates. Can USF contend for the Big East crown, are they the best of the rest, or will they be also-rans?

West Virginia was selected by the media to win the league title this year. Louisville was second and Rutgers picked third. USF was the fourth choice followed by Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Connecticut and Syracuse. It is hard not to agree that West Virginia and Louisville should battle for the title. Rutgers does seem to be just a step behind and USF is getting closer. The bottom four seems like the bottom four.

Jim Leavitt Bio

Born: December 5, 1956 (St. Petersburg, FL)

Hired as USF coach December 12, 1995

Record at USF 70-43 (.619)

Jim Leavitt attended Dixie Hollins High School in St. Petersburg. At the University of Missouri he was a four-year letterman in football and a three- year letterman in baseball. Leavitt was once named defensive back of the year and took the Big Eight batting crown in 1976. He did post-graduate work at the University of Iowa. His coaching career brought him from a graduate assistant at Missouri to the defensive coordinator at the University of Kansas, with stops at Dubuque, Morningside and Iowa in between, before becoming the first head coach in USF history. He was married this past July and his parents still live in St. Petersburg.

Quote: "When I was offered the head job at South Florida, and I'm sincere about this, I never thought I would ever go anywhere. I grew up here. South Florida has been very good to me. I really, honestly, don't know where there is a better job for Jim Leavitt." (July 29, 2007)

USF has fewer questions than recent seasons. Matt Grothe brings consistency to the quarterback position for the first time since Marquel Blackwell left. With as much as Grothe likes to run, and considering no other quarterbacks on the roster have ever thrown a pass with the Bulls, depth at QB could become an issue. Junior Grant Gregory is second on the chart and Alton Voss will likely red-shirt. Head coach Jim Leavitt offered some perspective on the Grothe's tendency to run: "People always say that you want him to run less because you don't want him to get hurt as much, but when you take that part out of our offense, our offense is not as productive. When you try to guard against the quarterback, not only throwing but running, that's a very difficult challenge for the defense."

Heralded recruit Mike Ford should eliminate the running back by committee approach. While Benjamin Williams, red-shirt freshman Aston Samuels and, if he is fully recovered from injury, Moise Plancher should also carry the ball. The receivers are solid with Amarri Jackson, Taurus Jackson and Marcus Edwards back. Much of the offensive line returns, however, nagging injuries may effect that unit.

Some huge play-makers are back on defense. The secondary should be strong with junior Mike Jenkins and senior Trae Williams returning. Junior Carlton Williams, junior Louis Gachette and sophomore Nate Allen make the defensive backfield one of the team's strengths. Jim Leavitt's comments: "Trae and Mike had a very good summer. They are very focused, they are very good and talented players. We have some depth in the secondary this year."

Ben Moffitt returns at linebacker, but Stephen Nicholas and Patrick St. Louis have to be replaced. Brouce Mompremier, Donte Spires and Iowa State transfer Tyrone McKenzie will battle for the opening day spots at LB. Chris Robinson could also play linebacker, but may end up on the defensive line. George Selvie returns to the DL after an amazing freshman season. Special teams will continue to be an issue.

A look at the twelve game schedule, which has been rated as the tenth toughest in the nation, provides some clues as to what to expect this season.

September 1 Elon - Not much more than a scrimmage, things have certainly changed since the schools split two meetings in 1997-98. A great college nickname was lost a couple of years ago when the Elon College Fighting Christians became the Elon University Phoenix.

September 8 at Auburn - Some believe the Tigers are an overrated top fifteen team and have made the Bulls a sleeper pick in this nationally televised game. Auburn has a strong defense and this will be a good measuring stick for the 2007 Bulls.

September 22 North Carolina - A extra week off after the Auburn game may or may not be a good thing and don't overlook the Tar Heels with West Virginia coming to town Friday. Eleven starters are gone, but a good recruiting class bodes well for the future. New head coach Butch Davis has generated excitement and will have the Heels thinking upset.

September 28 West Virginia - The Mountaineers in town and a big crowd for a nationally televised Friday night game. Top ten ranked West Virginia will be thinking payback time. Eight starters on both offense and defense return, including QB Pat White and RB Steve Slaton.

October 6 at Florida Atlantic - After some tough games, and more to come, FAU should serve as a breather. Howard Schnellenberger is still there, and the Owls are entering their third season in the Sun Belt Conference, but it should not matter.

October 13 Central Florida - Will Bulls continue to dominate UCF? Kyle Israel has replaced Steven Moffitt at QB and there is a buzz about the new on-campus stadium. Don't look ahead to big game at Rutgers on Thursday.

October 18 at Rutgers - Nationally televised Thursday night game at top fifteen ranked Rutgers follows trilling two-point game last year at RJS. Quarterback Mike Teel and running back Ray Rice return to lead a solid offense.

October 27 at Connecticut - A few extra days before traveling should help Bulls avoid the upset. The Huskies have had some problems and could struggle this season.

November 3 Cincinnati - Bulls will be seeking revenge for last year's poor effect in Cincinnati. Bearcats play old school with a tough defense, but are going to the spread offense to compliment experience at running back. Could be a surprise team in the Big East.

November 10 at Syracuse - Home field advantage neutralized by dome, so don't be looking ahead. The Orangemen just have too many questions and don't appear to have the talent to compete in the Big East.

November 17 Louisville - Top ten Cardinals close out home schedule in a series where the home team has won the four previous games. New head coach Steve Kragthorpe inherits QB Brian Brohm and a powerful offensive, but questions on defense will have to be answered if Cardinals are to repeat as conference champions.

November 24 at Pittsburgh - It could be cold, Pitt should be ready and much could be on the line. The Panthers have plenty of question marks on offense including who will replace Tyler Palko, who started the last 35 games.

If the Bulls win every game they are expected to be favored, and lose every game where they are anticipated underdogs, they would be 8-4 or 7-5. Just to repeat the 4-3 Big East record of last two seasons the Bulls will have to defeat Cincinnati at home, win at Connecticut and Syracuse, and do one of the following: Defeat either West Virginia or Louisville at home, or win at Rutgers or Pittsburgh. It is not unrealistic to repeat last year's 4-1 non- conference record with wins over Elon, North Carolina, Florida Atlantic and Central Florida to go with a loss at Auburn.

If the Bulls win at Auburn in week two, all bets are off. They would be considered a serious contender for the Big East crown and a BCS bid. Few would argue that the Bulls meteoric rise has brought them close, but are they ready for the big time? It is almost time to find out.