usf bulls football 2006 season preview
JoelThe last time the USF Bulls played a football game, they laid a goose egg in their first ever bowl appearance. But that is soooo 2005.
How does the offense look this year? The leading rusher Andre Hall graduated (after a brief stint as a Buccaneer, he’s now in Chicago); meanwhile the competition for quarterback is close between senior Pat Julmiste and freshman Matt Grothe after expected starter Carlton Hill misbehaved his way out of the job and the school.
It’s a good thing that defense still looks good.
That’s basically Terry Bowden’s assessment of the Bulls this year. Bowden says USF finishing 5th in the Big East; but his bosses at Yahoo! Sports still see the team’s old logo, over three years since the school changed it. That’s alright, guys - three years is only about thirty in internet time.
There is a good sign for the Bulls; they get to avoid the business end of one of those classic lopsided early NCAA games. In fact they’ll be the ones (hopefully) doling out the bullying - they open their season this Saturday at home against I-AA McNeese State.
As always, remember that USF games are the only chance most of us will have to see football at RayJay this year.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Stephen Nicholas, LB - He’s on the watch list for both the Butkus and Bronco Nagurski awards (for best linebacker and best defensive players, respectively) - why not watch him too?
GAME TO WATCH: Sept. 16 at UCF - Those last two games on the road against Top 25 teams are obviously big, though they could be painful. Instead set your sights on the not-really-a-rivalry-but-could-be matchup against our I-4 neighbors. There’s no guarantee that this game will be played every year, so make sure you enjoy every opportunity to stick it to Orlando.
PREDICTION: Yahoo! doesn’t change the logo this year despite my two e-mails of protest. Oh, and the team finishes 6-6.
Loading ...
August 30th, 2006 at 9:23 am
what does “taking a redshirt” mean? Practice squad?
August 30th, 2006 at 10:03 am
“redshirt” means a player doesn’t play in a game, so it’s like the NFL’s practice squad. Players can play four seasons in five years, most of the time redshirt seasons are for true freshmen, giving them time to learn the system and adapt to college.
Sometimes, if a player has not used his redshirt, then an upperclassman can be held out… to help with off-the-field issues (if necessary) or to make it so the team’s depth is protected for future seasons.
Oh, and Bulls Fans should check out the BEST forum on the internet at http://www.thebullspen.com.
August 30th, 2006 at 11:11 am
I am a Bulls fan all year (we went to the bowl game in Charlotte last year)- except when they are playing UCF (I ended up with two degrees from U Can’t Finish).
Unfortunately for USF, with Andre Hall gone, if they keep Julmiste as their QB, this could be a pretty ugly offense. I also don’t want to see panic calls by Leavitt (the play calling at the end of the UConn game last year comes to mind).
Anyways, I’m hoping both UCF and USF can build upon last season. As for the Bucs, if Simms can stop getting balls batted down, but that’s a different ball of wax…
August 30th, 2006 at 12:01 pm
UCF Sux!!
August 30th, 2006 at 12:21 pm
6-6 sounds pretty reasonable. I’d get eaten alive for saying that at the Bulls Pen, but I think the rest of the Big East got good and we pretty much stayed put in terms of ability.
August 30th, 2006 at 8:43 pm
It also wouldn’t be out of the question for USF to go 8-4, possibly more. There are no Penn States or Miamis on the schedule this year. Apart from WVU and Louisville, those are all beatable teams. A team with a strong defense will always keep the offense close.
Julmiste was pretty lousy last year, but he also suffered through a LOT of dropped passes. If those receivers got the mayonnaise off their hands they might just be athletic enough to catch Julmiste’s wild throws.
I just hope the city is patient with this team. We’ve been pretty spoiled, but this could definitely be an off year.
August 30th, 2006 at 8:54 pm
Jim Leavitt needs to learn to deal properly with the local sports media if he doesn’t want to end up with a Bobby Knight reputation (though Bob did win some games in his time). Publicity sells tickets. I seriously doubt USF fans are ready to take on the ole “he’s a (bleep) but he’s our (bleep)” stance about their football coach just yet.
August 31st, 2006 at 10:25 am
USF will win only 4 games this season. Next year, try recruiting players who can read.
Go Knights!
September 1st, 2006 at 3:21 pm
dont forget to save some love for the basketball team.
November 28th, 2006 at 9:23 am
[...] Earlier this year I predicted the USF Bulls football team would finish 6-6. In the comments to that post however, I left myself an out: It also wouldn’t be out of the question for USF to go 8-4, possibly more. [...]