We are continuing our Preseason College Football Countdown, ranking every team at the Football Bowl Subdivision level from 120 down to 1.
Matt Murschel compiled the rankings based on several factors including: returning letterwinners, returning starters, 2010 performance, coaching staff changes, strength of schedule and strength of the conference.
Today at No. 45: USF
Skip Holtz and B.J. Daniels hope to lead USF to bigger and better things. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Coach: Skip Holtz (8-5, second season)
2010 record: 8-5 (3-4 in Big East Conference, tied for fifth)
Look back: When Skip Holtz took over the USF program following the messy divorce with former coach Jim Leavitt, it would be easy to write off his first year as a work in progress. With superstar quarterback Matt Grothe and several key defensive players moving on, expectations were not very high. However, the Bulls surprised a lot of people, winning eight games including a victory in the Meineke Bowl over Clemson.
Offensive starters lost/returning: 6/5
Defensive starters lost/returning: 5/6
Key losses: RB Moise Plancher, WR Dontavia Bogan, DT Terrell McClain
Top returnees: QB B.J. Daniels, WR Evan Landri, LB Sam Barrington, LB DeDe Lattimore, S Jerrell Young
Strengths: Stability at quarterback will be a huge asset for USF this season. Junior B.J. Daniels returns with a full year under offensive coordinator Todd Fitch, which should translate to better numbers in the fall. Daniels had his struggles last season, passing for 1,685 yards and 11 touchdowns but his turnovers – 13 interceptions – were costly, many coming in key situations. …. Losing your leading rusher would normally spell disaster for a team but the Bulls have depth at the position this season with transfer Darrell Scott stepping into the main role. Joining Scott in the backfield will be Demetrius Murray, who was second on the team in rushing with 542 yards and four touchdowns. …. Sam Barrington and DeDe Lattimore will continue the Bulls long tradition of great linebackers. Lattimore was the team’s second leading tackler (69 tackles, 2.5 sacks), earning him Freshman All-American honors. … The secondary returns three starters including safety Jerrell Young, who led the team with 3 INTs.
Weaknesses: The success of the offense could hinge on whether or not Holtz can piece together a solid offensive line. With OT Chaz Hine and OG Jeremiah Warren as the only returning starters, finding talent to surround them could be key. … The defensive line has some of the same issues as its offensive counterparts. NT Cory Grissom is the only returning starter on a line that was ranked 17th nationally in total defense.
Outlook: Three of its five losses last season were by seven point or less, meaning the team could have been looking at a Big East crown and a trip to a BCS bowl. That may be the case this season, if the Bulls can reduce the number of turnovers and get solid play from its defense. USF was 3-4 against Big East opponents last season with losses to Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Syracuse, and Connecticut. They face three of those teams on the road this year with West Virginia being the only home foe.
2011 schedule
Sept. 3 at Notre Dame
Sept. 10 BALL STATE
Sept. 17 FLORIDA A&M
Sept. 24 UTEP
Sept. 29 at Pittsburgh
Oct. 15 at Connecticut
Oct. 22 CINCINNATI
Nov. 5 at Rutgers
Nov. 11 at Syracuse
Nov. 19 MIAMI
Nov. 25 LOUISVILLE
Dec. 1 WEST VIRGINIA
Rest of the countdown:
