South Florida 2002 Preview
(August 26, 2002)

The University of South Florida returns a core of solid players for a tough slate of games. This is the Bulls last season as an independent before moving on to Conference USA. There is the past to remember, and a future to anticipate, and the games begin this Thursday.

Marquel Blackwell is the key to the team's success. If he played for a more high profile school, the senior quarterback would be a serious Heisman Trophy candidate. The Bulls are loaded at the skill positions on offense. Senior wide receivers DeAndrew Rubin, Ryan Hearn and Hugh Smith , along with juniors Huey Whittaker and Chris Iskra. Sophomore Clenton Crossley led a talented group of running backs, which include juniors Quinton Callum and Vince Brewer. Sophomore Brian Fisher and DeJuan Green, a junior transfer from Georgia, should also carry the ball. The question may be how quickly a young offensive line can gel. The starters are all freshman and sophomores, and so are the backups.

The defensive line returns seniors Chris Daley and Greg Walls, along with junior Shurron Pierson. Linebackers include senior Kawika Mitchell and junior Maurice Jones. The secondary returns senior Maurice Tucker and junior J.R. Reed. Special teams see steady senior punter Devin Sanderson and unsteady sophomore place kicker Santiago Gramatica return.

These players will be tested. A victory at Arkansas, Oklahoma (number two in most preseason polls), and East Carolina, or at home against Southern Miss, would be a major upset. Games against Northern Illinois, North Texas, Memphis, Bowling Green and Houston will not easy. The only cakewalks may be the two Division I-AA home games against Florida Atlantic and Charleston Southern.

As USF prepares for Conference USA, how have they fared against Division I-A conferences? Against C-USA they are 1-2, 1-0 against the Big East, 0-1 versus the Big 12, 0-1 against the Mid-American, 0-2 versus the Mountain West, 0-1 against the Southern Conference and 1-0 against the Sun Belt.

Making predictions on this team are not easy. Last year, I said that 6-5 might take a miracle and they went 8-3. The Bulls are on a six game winning streak and have won their last thirteen home games. So, what can we expect in 2002? I hope they prove me wrong again, but 6-5 might take a miracle.