Friday Five Keys - USF vs. Stony Brook
by Voodoo 5 on Sep 3, 2010 7:11 PM EDT
in Football
0 comments
The day before each game, we'll share our five keys to the game. This week, here's what we'll be looking for against Stony Brook.
1. Stopping SBU's running game
From what Sam Kilb at The Statesman told us, the strength of the Stony Brook offense is their running game. With Mat Brevi, Stony Brook's top returning receiver, not making the trip due to injury, the Seawolves may have to rely even more on the run to keep them in the game. So there's a good opportunity for USF to begin proving their mettle against the kind of run-oriented teams that have given them so many problems the last few years, especially in Big East play. Getting the Seawolves offense off the field will also play into some of the other keys to the game.
2. Overcoming the excitement, and avoiding the temptation to look ahead to the Gators
Both teams have an excitement factor to contend with. This is the first time Stony Brook has ever played an FBS opponent, and I would guess this will be the biggest crowd they've ever played in front of. And of course it's the first game for USF with Skip Holtz in charge. Whoever can get all that nervous, excited energy out of their system and start playing football first will have an edge.
3. Start creating identities on the team
Every preview that places USF low in the Big East rankings cites that they lost all these great players. Jason Pierre-Paul, George Selvie, Matt Grothe, Nate Allen, Kion Wilson, Carlton Mitchell - they're all gone. But it's not like there won't be new players taking their place. We just don't know who they are yet. Often people confuse "anonymous" with "bad", and they only change their mind when you have players that they recognize. This is the first chance for someone to step up and get back some of the buzz and the attention that you only seem to get when people know your players.
Who's going to step up at wide receiver, especially with A.J. Love and Sterling Griffin injured? Is anyone going to separate themselves from the crowd at running back? Who will be the next big thing on the USF defense? Can B.J. Daniels take the next step up and become a nationally-known quarterback? It's hard to make a big leap in public perception against an FCS team, but this is where it starts.
4. Get comfortably ahead so the backups can get some much-needed reps
Figuring Stony Brook is likely to run the ball a lot, and knowing USF's weak link on offense is its passing game, this could be a fast, maybe even defensive-oriented game where the Bulls don't have much of a chance to pile up a safe lead. Possessions could be limited and the clock could be almost constantly running. Can USF get far enough ahead of the Seawolves soon enough that they can get some of their young players and second-teams some valuable (and necessary) game experience? The Bulls will need to cash in as many early opportunities as possible to do this.
And this goes without saying, but the earlier you get safely ahead, the earlier you get your star players off the field so they are healthy for the Florida game.
5. How much of next week's game plan do you want to work on in the game?
The eternal argument of "how much do you show the week before a big game." Hopefully the Bulls can work with a relatively easy game plan and not have to use any of what I like to call Billy Barool plays - the ones you go to when you absolutely need something that will work. That might be a play designed to take advantage of a matchup or a scheme, or an exotic blitz or coverage on defense. The more you can take into Gainesville that the Gators haven't seen on film, the more options you have. At the same time, maybe you work on some of next week's game plan anyway, because it's more important to get the execution right in game conditions. The eternal argument.
"15 for 15" The 3rd Greatest Player in USF History is...
by Ken DeCelles on Sep 3, 2010 5:37 PM EDT
in 15 For 15
2 comments
Matt Grothe, QB/2006-09
Matt Grothe was the other quarterback in the 2005 recruiting class. Most thought that Carlton Hill was going to be the greatest thing ever at USF, and even then-offensive coordinator Rod Smith thought Grothe should move to safety. After redshirting in 2005, Grothe moved ahead of Hill at QB, and was neck and neck with senior Pat Julmiste on the depth chart. Julmiste started the 2006 opener against McNeese State, but after Pat injured his knee midway through the 2nd quarter, Grothe went in and Pat Julmiste became the USF version of Wally Pipp.
Grothe took over the team, although there wasn't much buzz nationally on what #8 was doing in Tampa. Then, on a sunny November day against Pitt, Matt did this.
Week 1 College Football Buffet: Previewing Every Game So You Know Which To Consume - SBNation.com
Sean from Troy Nunes is an Absolute Magician has the primer for your lost weekend of football. Although we are thrown in with the other FBS v FCS matchups, we all that Tampa will be the place to be Saturday.
1 Day Until USF Football
by Ken DeCelles on Sep 3, 2010 12:57 PM EDT
4 comments
USF kicks off the season at 7:05, and Coach Holtz wants you at RayJay. Question of the Day: What will be the final score tomorrow?
Protect Your Unit Game - Week 1 Picks
by Voodoo 5 on Sep 3, 2010 1:00 AM EDT
in Protect Your Unit Game
7 comments
(Remember, these picks are for entertainment only. No actual wagering is being performed.)
At the start of the contest, everyone has $1000 in fake money. Let's go through everyone's fake picks here. Remember, the lines are set based on whatever the lines are at noon on Thursday, so if your picks look a little different than they do when you sent them in, that's why.
We'll start with Hoya Suxa, the Glaude, the live grenade that we tossed into this contest to keep everyone on their toes. Suxa, take it away.
I should probably preface my bets with a bit of disclosure: I don't understand the rules; I intend on winning.
You see, I'm a probably the most pathetic grown-ass man walking the planet. I grew up 15 minutes away from two of the largest casinos in the world and yet I don't know a lick about gambling. Parlays, teasers, proposition bets: You're speaking Greek to me, friend; we're in America, you see, and I like hot dogs, apple pie, and Goddamn winners. The only sophisticated wagering I'm familiar with is "boxing horses," and that's only because I'd really like to see a jockey deck a stallion right in its big freakin' teeth.
This fact, however, will not deter my scorched earth. To raise the stakes even higher, I'm running at this contest like an adolescent to a conversion van filled with candy and a fellow in a mustache. I refuse to take the easy way out and will, therefore, only wager on lines that are 10 points or less. That's how you become a champion, son.
At best, I will end this contest as a fake billionaire. I'll take all my fake money, buy me a fake trophy wife with really fake breasts, and sink my cash in fake investment ventures (like SBNation). At worst, I'll corkscrew Casual Hoya straight into the ground and use their heads as pissing posts for my dog.
Victory is my destiny; simply shitting in Casual Hoya's pillow is my consolation prize.
WAGER ONE: Syracuse at Akron
The Orange Empire -- it's tyrannical; you should totally join it -- is giving 9 on the road to the Zips. Call me crazy, but I think that Syracuse wins by thousands.$100 on the Orange to cover.
WAGER TWO: Maryland at Navy
Toot! Toot! Here comes the triple option ship! It's going to sink Friedgen faster than the Titanic!Navy covers the six. $20 on the Midshipmen.
WAGER THREE: Cincinnati at Fresno State
The Bearcats are getting 2.5 and I want them all, baby! I'm going to take those 2.5, rub them all over my body, and just soak it all in. Yeah, 2.5! Give it to me, 2.5!Anyway, I'll take Cincinnati and put five smackaroos on 'em.
$125 on the line with the bulk of it resting on the hopes of a two-deep that may or may not include me. My confidence is at an all-time high.
Let's move on to Chris Lane of The Nova Blog, who kept it simple with his picks.
USC (-21.5) over Hawaii - 100
UAB (-14) over FAU - 100
Pitt (+3) over Utah - 50
Next, we'll go with Ken's picks, from this blog. You'll notice he's the first person to really veer off into crazy town with his picks. But definitely not the last.
Minnesota -1.5 over MTSU $100
UConn +3 over Michigan $50
Cincy +2.5 over Fresno $50My insane weekly 9 team parlay - Sota -1.5, UConn +3, Cincy +2.5, Oregon State +13.5, Navy -6, Northwestern -4.5, Washington +2, Cuse -9, Clemson -24.5 $25
A lot more picks after the jump.
FOOTBALL FOOTBALL FOOTBALL! - Thursday Night Open Thread
by Ken DeCelles on Sep 2, 2010 8:28 PM EDT
53 comments
Sorry we are a little late with this, but we hope you are enjoying your first taste of football this fall.
2 Days Until USF Football
by Ken DeCelles on Sep 2, 2010 10:59 AM EDT
7 comments
Yes, there is DIVISION ONE FOOTBALL playing tonight, but we all know the season really starts Saturday. Your question of the day is: Who will be the 4th captain Saturday to go along with Mistral Raymond, Sampson Genus, and Jacquain Williams?
3 Days Until USF Football
by Ken DeCelles on Sep 1, 2010 1:56 PM EDT
7 comments
Three days left until football kicks-off against Stony Brook. Your question of the day is: Who will score the first touchdown for the Bulls this year?
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Bulls Football Schedule
| Stony Brook | Sat 09/04 | 7:05 PM EDT |
@
Florida
|
Sat 09/11 | 12:21 PM EDT |
| Western Kentucky Hilltoppers | Sat 09/25 | TBA |
| Florida Atlantic | Sat 10/02 | TBA |
|
Syracuse
|
Sat 10/09 | TBA |
|
@
West Virginia
|
Thu 10/14 | 7:30 PM EDT |
| @ Cincinnati | Fri 10/22 | 8:00 PM EDT |
|
Rutgers
|
Wed 11/03 | 7:00 PM EDT |
|
@
Louisville
|
Sat 11/13 | TBA |
| Pittsburgh | Sat 11/20 | TBA |
|
@
Miami
|
Sat 11/27 | TBA |
|
Connecticut
|
Sat 12/04 | TBA |
Big East Conference Standings
(updated 9.3.2010 at 4:16 AM EDT)
| Conf | Overall | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | W | L | |
|
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
|
0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| South Florida Bulls | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
Syracuse Orange
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cincinnati Bearcats | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
Connecticut Huskies
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
Louisville Cardinals
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
West Virginia Mountaineers
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Pittsburgh Panthers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
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