2009 Preview Stories, Michael Pina, South Florida News, Uncategorized

2009 BIG EAST PREVIEW: SOUTH FLORIDA

Bulls set goal on first Big East conference title and BCS bid in 2009

by Michael Pina

Two years ago, the University of South Florida Bulls were easily the most surprising team in the nation. Now firmly established as a Big East force, the days of South Florida as a perennial pushover are long gone.

Behind quarterback Matt Grothe and defensive end George Selvie, the 2009 Bulls look to accomplish something never before done in school history. Win a Big East Title.

Mired in the recruiting hotbed that is southern Florida, Head Coach Jim Leavitt has finally been able to mold a contending, talented football team. While they may not get the type of talent Florida and Miami traditionally sign, the Bulls continue to grow as serious players on the recruiting trail. All of their verbal commitments for the 2010 season so far are from Florida which certainly bodes well for any team trying to build around athleticism.

With no Big East team ranked in the preseason top 25, the University of South Florida has a chance to gain respect if they can take advantage of their out of conference schedule. With games against Florida State (Sept. 26) and Miami (Nov. 28), Leavitt’s Bulls have a real shot at gaining national esteem and continuing to expand a program that two short years ago saw a meteoric rise to #2 in the country.

Even though last year wasn’t a poor showing outside of the conference, inside the Big East South Florida struggled, finishing 8-5. After a strong 5-0 start that included a win over #11 ranked Kansas, the team lost four of their next five, all against Big East rivals. The bottom fell out in a Nov. 15 home game against Rutgers when South Florida was thumped 49-16. The Bulls backed their way into the St. Petersburg Bowl and took advantage of the virtual home game by dominating Memphis. The strong finish could regain some of the program’s momentum heading into the 2009 season.

The team decided to cut ties with former offensive coordinator Greg Gregory after a frustratingly inconsistent season on the offensive side of the ball. USF promoted Mike Canales from within. This will be Canales’s second stint as offensive coordinator for USF, as he served the role from 1996-2000. The 47-year-old assistant is most noted for grooming current San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers when the two were at North Carolina State. With a new offensive mind running the show, the Bulls are looking to instill a spread attack that should create match up problems in the division.

On the defensive side of the ball, USF has hired former Cincinnati defensive coordinator Joe Tresey. Responsible for a defense that tied for the FBS lead in takeaways in 2007 and was the obvious strength of last season’s FedEx Orange Bowl team, Tresey is a great addition to an already aggressive defense.

Leading that side of the ball will be one of the strongest defensive lines in the country, led by one of college football’s top players and soon to be household name, defensive end George Selvie. A 6-4, 250 pound, two-time All-American from Pensacola, Florida, Selvie is second on the active NCAA career sack list with 25.5 and first on the active NCAA career tackles for loss list with 60.

Offensively, just like the last three, the 2009 season hinges on the performance of quarterback Matt Grothe. He’s not only led the Bulls in passing yards since taking over as the starting quarterback, but he needs just 287 yards to become the Big East’s all-time career yardage leader. Unfortunately for USF fans, Grothe has proven to be consistently turnover prone, throwing exactly 14 picks in each of his first three seasons. If he can manage to cut down on the interceptions and take care of the ball better, South Florida should be a dangerous team in a league that as of today has no clear-cut favorite.

With experience and recognition already gained from the 2007 season, the 2009 South Florida Bulls have their sites set on a Big East crown. Anything else will be a major disappointment.

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