USF football: 3 bold predictions for Week 3 showdown vs. Illinois

South Florida is the only Group of Five team in the AP Top 25. Here are three bold predictions for the Week 3 showdown between USF and Illinois on Friday night.

USF remains the top threat in the Group of Five to reach a New Year’s Six bowl. No. 22 South Florida missed a chance to play Connecticut in Week 2, as games featuring teams from the Sunshine State were canceled in advance of Hurricane Irma’s landfall on the mainland. Nevertheless, they remain 2-0 despite two underwhelming performances against San Jose State and FCS Stony Brook.

Their opponents in Week 3, Illinois, is coming off a confidence-boosting 20-7 win at home over two-time defending Conference USA champion Western Kentucky. The Fighting Illini held the prolific Hilltoppers under 250 total yards of offense, as senior quarterback Mike White ran for a touchdown but threw for just 238 yards and an interception.

The trip to Tampa brings second-year Illinois head coach Smith back to the site of his past job prior arriving in Champaign. The former Buccaneers head coach was also the linebackers coach for Tampa Bay under defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin between 1996 and 2000. In the second season under Smith, Illinois has the chance to make waves and take down an AP Top 25 team before they even get to Big Ten play.

Illinois has shown promise as Smith has adjusted back to the college game after two decades in the NFL. The Friday-night showdown figures to be among the most exciting games of the weekend, as two well-matched teams bring college football back to Florida. Click ahead for three bold predictions for how things will transpire between USF and the Illini leading into the weekend.