After two lackluster wins to start the season, USF football actually fell two spots in the AP Top 25 this week. Here are three reasons for Bulls fans not to panic.
Okay, USF fans. The football has been ugly the first two games of the season. The Bulls came nowhere close to dominating a couple of the easiest opponents on their schedule in 2016. The AP Top 25 responded by dropping South Florida from No. 19 to No. 21 in its first regular-season poll. Frankly, that might have been a bit harsh, but it is reality for the American Athletic Conference favorites.
That said, the Bulls have a clear path to reach a New Year’s Six bowl this season. They could even aim for bigger goals and, like Houston last year, begin to threaten the College Football Playoff itself. Of course, their chances to take down Power Five competition are hardly as impressive as Oklahoma and Louisville last year, but each season is its own fun little puzzle to construct over time.
So don’t lose hope yet, Bulls fans. There is need to give up the dreams yet in Tampa and throughout the USF alumni diaspora. Raymond James Stadium will continue to be the site of plenty of wins this season, and an undefeated season is still well in play. Here are three reasons why it isn’t yet time to panic at South Florida despite the way the football has looked so far.
1. USF still has Quinton Flowers playing at quarterback
In the first two games of what could still very well be a Heisman-winning season, Quinton Flowers has hardly looked like the best player in the country. Against San Jose State in Week 0, Flowers completed less than 50 percent of his passes. But the USF quarterback also averaged 9.2 yards per attempt as he threw for 212 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 70 yards and another score, showcasing his dual-threat ability.
Against FCS Stony Brook in the Week 1 home opener, Flowers seemed to regress. The veteran threw his first interception of the season and dropped to 5.8 yards per attempt drop with 178 yards in the air. But he lifted up his completion percentage on 19-of-32 passing, and threw two more touchdown passes. Flowers also led the Bulls with 67 rushing yards in another consistent effort on the ground.
It seemed like Flowers would light up the scoreboard and the stats sheet against these first two opponents. But it must be remembered that Flowers is adjusting to Sterlin Gilbert’s system just like the rest of the offense. USF will be just fine as they move into the heart of the season and should start scoring more frequently, thanks to their third-year starter running the offense.
2. USF still has a veteran defense that is learning new ways
In his first season in Tampa, Charlie Strong and defensive coordinator Brian Jean-Mary inherited a team with nine starters from the 2016 team back on defense. Three-quarters of the total tackle production from last season is back for the Bulls. And, to be honest, USF has looked pretty good when they haven’t had the football.
The Bulls allowed over 31 points on average in 2016, ranking 92nd nationally in scoring defense. Under the new staff, the team has allowed 39 total points in two games. Take that for what it’s worth, since it came against San Jose State and FCS Stony Brook. But given the adjustment to a new staff, it is worth noting that the Bulls are showing improvement on last year’s numbers.
For South Florida, the secondary has been especially strong. Junior cornerback Mazzi Wilkins and senior strong safety Devin Abraham have two interceptions apiece. With linebacker Nico Sawtelle‘s pick added to the mix, USF now ranks in a tie for second in the country in total interceptions.
The offense will recover, and will start putting more points on the scoreboard. That might not even matter, though. As the Bulls become more familiar with the wrinkles added by Jean-Mary and his position coaches they will be even more formidable on defense.
3. USF is still 2-0 heading into the toughest stretch of the season
Despite all the apparent struggles of adjusting to life under Charlie Strong and a new staff, USF is still 2-0 after Week 1. Nobody else in the AP Top 25 can boast two wins. Yes, the Bulls dropped a few spots in the polls after playing San Jose State and FCS Stony Brook closer than might be hoped.
But it must also be appreciated that the Bulls are still undefeated at this point of the season. If they can make it through a tight stretch of three games in 12 days, USF will have a win over Power Five competition after taking down Illinois. South Florida will also have a win over their biggest divisional threat in the American Athletic Conference if they beat Temple
The fact that the Bulls put up mediocre stats against some of their easiest opponents of the season is disheartening. But style points only really matter in defeat, and for teams in the American Athletic Conference the path to a New Year’s Six bowl is as simple as winning as many games as possible.
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USF has done that so far. Sure, it has not been as stylish a start as might be hoped. But a veteran team that has been familiar with a completely different coaching staff is only beginning to become familiar with a new group on the sidelines in game-time situations. As they acclimate further, the Bulls will only get better. The wins should continue to come as Charlie Strong’s team remains on path for a perfect regular season.