2011 South Florida Bulls College Football Expert Predictions, Picks, Vegas Odds and Schedule – USF NCAA Football Preview: Skip Holtz stumbled out of the gate in his first year as head coach for South Florida, but the team really came together once the players finally figured out his offensive system. The Bulls closed the year with a 5-2 stretch, making a bowl game and knocking of Clemson. For a program that hasn’t even been around two decades, the fact that USF enters the 2011-12 season looking for its seventh straight bowl game is incredible. In fact, this year’s team may even be ready to take the next step.
From start to finish, the strength of the Bulls last year was their defense. The unit gave up 20 points per game, ranking in the top 25 nationally in terms of points allowed. South Florida welcomes back its front seven from a year ago and returns a deep secondary as well. Already a stout unit, the Bulls’ defense could end up being the best in the Big East thanks to another year of experience. At the very least, the Bulls should stay close in almost every game by making points difficult to come by for opponents.
On offense, the overall numbers were grim. Quarterback B.J. Daniels threw more interceptions than touchdown, and the Bulls barely averaged more than 300 yards of offense per game. That being said, the switch flipped with seven games left in the year as the Bulls scored 23 or more points five times in their last seven games. South Florida will need to continue the momentum it built at the end of last year in order to be successful this season, but the improved play of Daniels at the QB spot should help the cause.
Holtz will also have the luxury of letting running back Darrell Scott loose in his offense. Scott was one of the top recruits at his position back in 2008 when he signed with Colorado, but coaching changes and other issues at the school caused him to transfer. The Buffalo’s loss could end up being the Bulls’ gain if Scott can live up to his potential. In fact, he could be the type of player that helps South Florida program take the next step in terms of landing the top tier recruits in the future. Not to mention what he can bring to the offense this season.
The out-of-conference schedule appears to pose the most trouble for the Bulls this year. The season opens with a tough road game against Notre Dame, and a rematch with the Miami Hurricanes is lurking later in the year. South Florida shocked Miami last season, and the Hurricanes will likely have revenge on their minds. Once Big East play begins, games against Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and West Virginia will likely decide the Bulls’ fate. They get the Bearcats and Mountaineers at home, and Holtz and company shouldn’t be outmanned in any of the games.
With another year to get comfortable in the offensive system, Daniels should lead a much improved offensive attack. Couple that with a rock solid defensive unit, and the Bulls have a chance to have a special season. Despite a few out-of-conference games against tough opponents, South Florida should escape the Big East portion of the schedule with only one or two losses. The Bulls should be in the mix for the conference crown this year, and there is a chance a BCS bowl could be in the works.
2011 South Florida Bulls College Football Predictions: 9-3 Record
Preseason 2011 South Florida Bulls NCAA Football Odds:
Odds to Win 2012 BCS Championship: +12500
Odds to Win 2011 Big East Champonship: +250
You can BET on these lines or any other College Football Odds and Lines daily at SBG Global Sportsbook(upto 235% in Bonuses!)
2011 South Florida Bulls College Football Schedule
Sat, Sep 3 at Notre Dame 3:30 pm —
Sat, Sep 10 Ball State 7:00 pm —
Sat, Sep 17 Florida A&M 7:00 pm —
Sat, Sep 24 UTEP TBA —
Thu, Sep 29 at Pittsburgh 8:00 pm —
Sat, Oct 15 at Connecticut TBA —
Sat, Oct 22 Cincinnati 12:00 pm —
Sat, Nov 5 at Rutgers TBA —
Fri, Nov 11 at Syracuse 8:00 pm —
Sat, Nov 19 Miami (FL) TBA —
Fri, Nov 25 Louisville TBA —
Thu, Dec 1 West Virginia 8:00 pm —
Check out NSAwins.com’s official 2011 Big East Football Predictions, Odds and Picks article.
| 2 EASY STEPS to BET on 2011 College Football and South Florida Bulls Big East Football Odds! STEP 1: CLICK HERE to OPEN SBG Global Sportsbook Account STEP 2: Deposit with Credit Card or Deposit by Check and get upto 235% in BONUSES upto $10,000 FREE added to your SBG Global Player Account Funds. |
Need Expert Winning College Football Picks? Be sure to check out NSAwins.com’s award-winning College Football Season Picks Packages for expert winners against the vegas spreads and totals in College Football this season including 2011 College Football Picks and Predictions to beat the vegas point spreads and totals!