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Find out more about Tom: Tom spent 10 years with the Tampa Tribune covering Florida State football, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the PGA Tour. His work appears in the newly released edition of the NY Times bestselling series "Chicken Soup for the Soul" My Resolutions. A winner of two national writing awards, Tom will bring you analysis and updates on South Florida Bulls sports as well as overviews on the Big East. |
The USF bye week came at the right time. The Bulls need to take a hard look at themselves and figure out what direction they are going.
Are they good? Or, are they bad?
If you look at the Pitt performance, or lack thereof, the answer is obvious. This USF team is NOT very good.
It is certainly not as good as last year's team.
Defensively, it is painfully obvious that the Bulls cannot stop the run. Pitt sophomore tailback LeSean McCoy (142 yards, 2 TDs) proved that as he left his cleat marks all over the Bulls. He was smooth, elusive and the Bulls simply didn't tackle him very well.
On the same note, Pitt proved that USF cannot cover the passing game. Two names account for that fact -- Mike Jenkins and Trae Williams. That duo was a USF strength last year. Jenkins was a first-round draft pick of the Dallas Cowboys and is logging nice playing time for the 'Boys this year. Williams was drafted by Jacksonville but ended up on the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad. Both are sorely missed and have not been adequately replaced.
Let's see, two major weaknesses -- stopping the run and stopping the pass.
With those two minor issues up for correction in the bye week, the offense has its problems.
QB Matt Grothe is USF's leading rusher with 244 yards on 66 carries while Mike Ford has 225 yards on 55 carries.
Not good. Pitt's McCoy has 553 yards on 117 attempts in five games, one less than USF.
USF wide receivers have not distinguished themselves. They were not present against Pitt. Perhpas it was because Grothe had no time to find them.
Again, another USF weakness unmasked by the Pitt defense.
There is much work to be done over the next 10 days. The defense must find some way to regain its swagger. The offense needs spark. It needs a running game to set up the passing game.
The answer may come in the form of Syracuse. The Orange are in turmoil. This will be Greg Robinson's last call as head coach. Names are already being bantered around as possible replacements. Alumni headed by former Orange fullback Rob Konrad, are calling for Robinson's immediate replacement.
Fact is, Syracuse just isn't that good.
Fact is, the 'Cuse just might be the cure for what ails the Bulls.
Next: Running the table or running on empty?
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