South Florida Football: Bulls Will Contend for Big East Title

By Jack Jones

South Florida struggled to close out games in head coach Skip Holtz's second season with the team. This led to the Bulls finishing the season with a lowly 5-7 record overall and a dead-last finish in the Big East with a 1-6 conference record. Their record may not indicate it, but this was actually a really good team. They had leads in the second half in six of their seven losses. The Bulls actually lead the conference in average total yardage differential (+26.4 yards/game). Be sure to follow the odds on South Florida, plus get expert picks on them and much more at Football Free Picks this season.

With 15 starters returning, the Bulls are one of only five teams that have a legitimate shot at winning the wide open Big East.

Offense

The Bulls were one of the top offenses in the Big East last year. They averaged 432 yards of offense per game for 29.3 points per game. A big reason for their success was the emergence of dual-threat quarterback B.J. Daniels. Daniels not only threw for 2,585 yards and 13 touchdowns, but added 601 yards and six more touchdowns on the ground last year.

South Florida lost some talent at the running back position when Darrell Scott decided to leave early for a shot in the NFL. The Bulls will try to replace him with either senior Demetris Murray, junior college transfer Michael Pierre or, more likely, a combination of the two.

While their running game will not really scare opposing defenses, they are absolutely loaded and dangerous at the wide receiver position. This will give Daniels the opportunity to put up even stronger numbers in 2012. Eight of their top nine are coming back, including Sterling Griffin, Deonte Welch, Victor Marc and tight end Evan Landi. To add to an already stacked unit, they also have highly touted sophomore wide out Chris Dunkley, who will likely steal a starting spot from either Welch or Marc.

They do have to replace a couple of three-year starters on the offensive line in 1st Team All-Big East left guard Jeremiah Warren and 3rd Team All-Big East center Kevin McCaskill. They do return three starters who started all 12 games last year and have added a couple of junior college transfers to compete for the vacated spots at guard and center. They have Mark Popek and Quinterrius Eatmon, two of the best tackles in the conference. They also have one of the top guards in Danous Estenor. Should they live up to their potential, this team should easily be one of the best offensive lines in the conference.

Defense

The South Florida defense forced opposing offenses to struggle on the ground as the Bulls allowed only 107 yards/game and 3.0 yards/carry. While they do lose two of their top defensive tackles and starting defensive end from last year, they could be even stronger against the run in 2012. They return 2nd Team All-Big East defensive end Ryne Giddons and one of the top defensive tackles in the Big East in Cory Grissom. The starting lineup will also feature junior defensive end Julius Forte and sophomore defensive tackle Elkino Watson. These four players could all earn All-Big East honors in 2012.

South Florida should have one of the strongest linebacking corps in the Big East. The team returns all three starters from last year's unit in DeDe Lattimore, Sam Barrington and Mike Lanaris.

Although they have a lot of talent coming back up front, they have some concerns with their ability to stop the pass. They have to replace starting corner Quenton Washington and 2nd Team All-Big East free safety Jerrell Young. They have a couple of talented players in Kayvon Webster and strong safety Jon Lejiste, but this unit should struggle to maintain the success they had last year.

Big East Prediction - 2nd Place

Expectations are high for the Bulls in 2012, despite finishing last in the Big East last year. They are one of the most complete teams in the entire conference. If they learn how to finish games, then watch out. This team has the potential to go from last to first in just one season. They have a couple of tough road games at Louisville and Cincinnati, but they face both Pittsburgh and Rutgers at home. They may just finish second to the Panthers due to the return of Ray Graham (one of the top running backs in the nation) for his senior season.

About the Author:

Jack Jones is an expert handicapper who writes and provides expert picks for Betfirms. You can head on over there now and read more about the Bulls in a more detailed season preview.