USF Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2017

After a week off, South Florida begins the second half of its schedule with a non-conference game against woebegone UMass. The Minutemen won just two games last year, their first as an independent after being booted from the MAC. Massachusetts was underwhelming on both offense and defense, and that is unlikely to change this season.

Mark Whipple enters his 10th season in Amherst with little hope for a turnaround in the near future. As an independent, UMass plays a scattershot schedule that includes a fair number of tough opponents. That leaves even less margin for error than most mid-major schools enjoy season after season.

This is the first time that the Minutemen have ever squared off against the Bulls. About the only thing they might have going for them is unfamiliarity.

PREDICTION: South Florida 51, UMass 7 (7-0)

South Florida is going to have no trouble against Whipple’s crew. UMass has eight starters back on defense from last year’s crew, and that group gave up an average of over five touchdowns a game. A unit as strong as the Bulls bring to the table will be able to get half a hundred, especially after a week of rest.