BIG EAST FOOTBALL PREVIEW: GAME #7 SYRACUSE

October 17, 2008


The inconsistencies of the South Florida Bulls finally caught up with them as USF was removed from the ranks of the unbeaten by Pittsburgh in their last outing, 26-21, on a late Panther touchdown. The Bulls had beaten a ranked Kansas squad and rolled over North Carolina State on the road in their previous outing, but they have also struggled against UCF and Florida International in prior contests. Now they must pick themselves back off the mat after losing their conference opener 16 days ago.

On the other side of the field this Saturday in Tampa will be the Syracuse Orange. There has been nothing inconsistent about SU this season, or in any season in the Greg Robinson era, as the Orange have been consistently woeful. Maybe they are showing some signs of life as they have made things difficult for Pittsburgh and West Virginia in their last two outings. SU is just 1-5 overall on the season and 0-2 in the Big East, their lone win has come against Northeastern...ouch!

The Bulls definitely needed a little bit of a breather after the Pitt game and the time-off should allow Mike Ford to reclaim his status as the USF go-to running back. Ford was impressive late in the game against Pittsburgh after being slowed since the season opener because of injuries. QB Matt Grothe could use the help as he has been expected to carry the full offensive load lately.

The Syracuse defense actually had an impressive outing against the Mountaineers in their last game, before falling 17-6 in Morgantown. WVU managed just 268 total yards of offense and 92 of those came on one play late in the game on a Noel Devine touchdown run. However, the USF offense will be much better prepared this week to attack the Cuse from air and ground and take advantage of the Orange as the Syracuse Stats continue to show the Orange ranking near the bottom of college football in most major offensive and defensive categories.

The Football Lines show USF to be a 24 1/2-point favorite in this contest. Look for a well-rested Bulls squad to get back on track and feast on some imported Oranges from central NY on Saturday afternoon.


Prediction:

South Florida 42
Syracuse 14