South Florida Bulls

Head Coach

Jim Leavitt	12th year
07-08	9-4
Big East	4-3
FCR	22

Previous Season Wins

Big East Previews by Michael Matts

Head Coach - The Bulls have been rewarded with their patience in Jim Leavitt by gaining consecutive 9-4 seasons and 3 straight bowl appearances. They have beaten WVU in back-to-back years and had a program best #2 ranking after beating Auburn on the road in OT last year. Leavitt, a long-time assistant of Bill Snyder at Kansas State, is a hard-nosed coach, and that is reflected in his team. Very aggressive on defense, hard-hitting on offense, USF is primed to make a run at another bowl game, and with a few breaks, a shot at WVU title reign.

Quarterback - The Bulls soared with 414 yards a game using a diverse offensive attack. The triggerman is junior Matt Grothe. He threw for 2670 yards and rushed 872 in 2006, both figures leading the team. He is feared as much for his toughness as he is for his arm and as a third-year starter he will be looking to make less mistakes and more big plays.

Running Backs - USF will look to improve its 185-yard/game number on the ground with tailback Mike Ford, who scored 12 times as a freshman. He has shown he can be a workhorse and at 225 lbs, and will certainly get an increased load in ’08.

Receivers - Even better news is the return of the top 5 receivers, led by super soph Carlton Mitchell, senior Taurus Johnson and junior Jessie Hester, Jr. In this unit, there is great depth, so we expect to see the Bulls go down the field more and more in 2008.

Offensive Line - All BE left guard Ryan Schmidt leads a returning group of 4 starters on the OL. With returning seniors in LT Marc Dile, C Jake Griffin and RG Zach Hermann, this unit, which averages 309 lbs, will be among the best unit in America in 2008.

Defense - It will be hard to duplicate the success from ’07. The Bulls were 28th in total “D” and a devastating 8th in pass defense efficiency, but lost 1st-team BE players in LB Ben Moffitt and CB Mike Jenkins (both NFLers).

Defensive Line - The good news comes in the return of 3 linemen in their 4-3 scheme. The reigning BE Defensive Player of the Year, George Selvie is only a junior and was the BE leader in sacks (14.5) and Tackles for loss (31.5) a year ago. He will join Jarriett Buie and Aaron Harris on the league’s best DL.

Linebackers - Senior MLB Tyrone McKenzie and WLB Brouce Mompremier will anchor the linebacking corps. McKenzie, all-BE a year ago, had 121 tackles and two fumble recoveries. He is slated to go to the middle, but could stay outside if prized recruit Alonzo McQueen is ready to go. Mompremier had 83 tackles and a pick.

Defensive Backs -

Special Teams - Delbert Alvarado made 19 or 29 FGs and excelled as a punter, averaging 41 yards per boot. Improvements will be needed in the return game where USF was 65th and 67th in kickoff and punt returns, respectively.

Schedule - After a soft one at UT Martin to kickoff the season, the Bulls play four good opponents. The first 2 games are against ‘07 bowl participants UCF and Orange Bowl Champ Kansas. Then come FIU and an ever-improving NC State team. Four of the first 6 games in league are at home, and if they can win at Louisville and Cincinnati, the potential is there for a showdown in Morgantown on Dec. 6th for the league title.

Outlook - If Grothe takes the step up to elite status; the sky is the limit for the offense. There is some patchwork to do in the secondary, but the superb defensive line will keep USF in the Top 25 and in the hunt for a BE title.