USF Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2017
By Zach Bigalke
Cincinnati is one of those teams that aspire to Power Five status but continue to fall short on the field. The Bearcats were a launchpad for coaches like Mark Dantonio, Brian Kelly, and Butch Jones. But none of those names remained in the Queen City, instead bolting for bigger opportunities at Michigan State, Notre Dame, and Tennessee respectively.
Though they went to back-to-back BCS bowl games in 2008 and 2009 under Kelly’s guidance, the Bearcats have fallen on hard times. Tommy Tuberville enters his fifth season as a coach whose job security is walking a tightrope. Cincinnati went 4-8 in 2016 and missed a bowl game for the first time in six years. It was just the third time since joining the Big East in 2005 that Cincy has missed the postseason.
It could be another rough year for the Nippert faithful. Cincinnati is tied with Temple for the fewest returning starters. At least Hayden Moore is back for his second season as the starter at quarterback.
PREDICTION: South Florida 45, Cincinnati 35 (9-0)
Moore will get some yards against the South Florida secondary. The Bearcats will have already played some big games on the road at this point of the year. But that secondary will also get at least one interception that thwarts any second-half momentum, and the Bulls will get a late touchdown to seal the victory.