USF 2000 Schedule a Challenge
(August 29, 2000)

"We realize this is the toughest challenge that we've ever faced and we're looking forward to it." University of South Florida head football coach Jim Leavitt was right on the mark when he commented on the Bulls 2000 schedule. With five road games against Division I-A foes, USF will certainly be challenged. This is a transitional year for USF, as they will move to Division I-A status next season and a member of Conference USA in 2003.

The schedule consists of six home games, all against Division I-AA opponents, and five on the road, all at Division I-A schools. For the first three years of the football program the schedule featured seven home and four road games. Last season's opener at San Diego State was the Bulls only previous encounter with a Division I-A team. Lets break it down, game by game, then summarize what to expect in the 2000 season.

September 2 - Jacksonville State at USF - JSU is a Division I-AA team that went 2-9 last season, so the Bulls should open the season with a victory for the third time in four years.

September 9 - USF at Kentucky - This trip to Lexington will be USF's second game against a Division I-A opponent. The Wildacts finished 6-6 last year and have appeared in bowl games the last two seasons. The first Southeast Conference foe will be tough for the Bulls.

September 16 - James Madison at USF - The Dukes, who went to the Division I-AA playoffs and finished 8-4, defeated USF 13-3 last year in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Maybe the change of venue will be enough for the Bulls.

September 23 - USF at Baylor - The Bears, a member of the Big 12 Conference, finished a dismal 1-10 last season. If this was a home game South Florida might have a shot, but it is hard to imagine a victory in Waco.

September 30 - Troy State at USF - The Bulls lost in Troy, Alabama last year, 41-24, to a Trojan team that went to the Division I-AA playoffs and finished 11-2. TSU is also in transition to I-A next year and this game might end in the win column for the Bulls.

October 7 - at Southern Mississippi - South Florida's first Conference USA opponent is the defending champion and Liberty Bowl winner. The Golden Eagles were 9-3 and finished with a number fourteen ranking in the AP poll. This is a tough assignment for the Bulls.

October 21 - Liberty at USF - There is no reason to believe USF will not defeat the Division I-AA Flames for the third straight year.

October 28 - at Connecticut - This is the Huskies first year in Division I-A and they finished 4-7 in the I-AA Atlantic 10 last season. Might be the spot for the Bulls first Division I-A victory.

November 4 - Western Kentucky at USF - The only school to appear on the schedule over South Florida's first four seasons, the Bulls defeated the Hilltoppers 21-6 last year in Bowling Green. A game that should be a USF victory.

November 11 - USF at Middle Tennessee State - Last season was the school's first in Division I-A and they finished 3-8. Will play in the Sun Belt Conference this year. Might be a game the Bulls could win.

November 18 - Austin Peay at USF - The Governors are a Division I-AA independent that went 2-9 last year. The Bulls should finish the season with a big win.

On this upgraded schedule, there are games South Florida should win. The Bulls final record should fall within the range of the program's three year history. A 5-6 finish, just like the inaugural season, would seem like the worst case scenario. If the team catches all the breaks, the 8-3 record of the 1998 team is not impossible.

Jim Leavitt has stated, "We're really excited about 2000." Agreed.