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

1. Illinois will be confronted by a lockdown USF defense

In a lot of ways, Illinois has begun its 2017 season 2-0 despite their offense. The first two games, against a mixed pair of Group of Five opponents, is telling. Against a Ball State team that finished 4-8 in 2016, Illinois struggled to put away the Cardinals. Illini quarterback Chayce Crouch finished just 10-of-19 for 145 yards, with a touchdown and a pick.

The numbers looked even worse against Western Kentucky. Crouch completed 14 of his 25 passes, but managed to gain just 107 yards. The quarterback managed to gain 44 yards on 12 carries, and punched in a touchdown on the ground. He failed to throw a scoring pass, but Crouch did toss a pick.

Western Kentucky did allow Illinois to rack up 193 rushing yards. But it took the Big Ten squad 50 carries as a team, and with that many attempts they still couldn’t break 200 rushing yards. On Friday night, USF will finally snap out of its doldrums. Just like another former Willie Taggart program, the Bulls will build upon the Hilltoppers’ statement win and one-up their competition in the Group of Five race for a New Year’s Six bid.

Charlie Strong’s Bulls will nab no fewer than three interceptions off Crouch, including one for a touchdown. USF will make its national statement with its defense, holding the Illini under 200 total yards of offense. That unit will build voter confidence as South Florida gains at least three positions in the AP Top 25, climbing up into the high teens of the rankings.