USF football: 3 bold predictions for Week 3 showdown vs. Illinois
By Zach Bigalke
3. USF special teams will score a touchdown and win field position battle
Among teams with at least five returns so far this season, USF ranks second nationally with a 21.25-yard average on eight punt returns. Tajee Fullwood ranks behind only Washington’s Dante Pettis in individual return average and is only beginning to gain steam as a returner. The senior cornerback will score his first career punt return touchdown to help the Bulls run away with the contest over Illinois.
Fullwood will be fielding kicks from rookie Illinois punter Blake Hayes, who averages just 38 yards per boot so far this year. Meanwhile, South Florida can turn to senior punter Jonathan Hernandez, who averages five more yards per punt than his counterpart for the Illini. As a result, USF is going to win the field position battle.
The short fields for the offense could be the only thing that prevents Quinton Flowers, D’Ernest Johnson, and the rest of the skill players from building up bigger stats. USF also has two blocked kicks already this season, one behind national leader Hawaii. Illinois could miss out on even more points thanks to a blocked field goal or extra point.
Next: Week 2 College Football Playoff Projections
In the end, South Florida is going to make a comprehensive statement against a decent Big Ten opponent. USF will be better than their visitors in every aspect and every phase of the game. After getting dropped a spot in the AP Top 25 during their inactive weekend, the Bulls will come charging back out of the gates with a vengeance.