USF and C-USA Preview
(August 14, 2003)

University of South Florida head football coach Jim Leavitt stated that the Bulls have been waiting to join Conference USA, "Since the first day I was hired." As the USF football program prepares for its seventh season, this year they can play for the C-USA title and a shot at one of the conference's five bowl bids.

The Bulls surprised just about everybody by posting 8-3 and 9-2 records as a Division I-A independent the last two seasons. Graduation losses have been significant. Quarterback Marquel Blackwell and middle linebacker Kawika Mitchell were the leaders of the offensive and defensive units. DE Shurron Pierson and WR/KR DeAndrew Rubin were also selected in the NFL draft. Jim Leavitt talked about losing his four year starting quarterback. "How do you replace Marquel Blackwell? Well you probably don't. You know, we just have to go in another direction."

USF does return seven starters on offense, including the entire offensive line. Junior Ronnie Banks will take over at quarterback with sophomore David Mullins and freshman Jean Julmiste as backups. The Bulls are deep at running back with Clenton Crossley, DeJaun Green, Billy Henderson and Vince Brewer returning. Quinton Callum is penciled in at H-back. Returning receivers include Huey Whittaker, Chris Iska and Brain Fisher.

Four starters return on defense and the entire front four has moved on. USF does have some experienced player in Tim Jones, Cedric Battles, Terrace Royal and Lee Roy Selmon, Jr. to move up to defensive line starters. While they lost middle linebacker Kawika Mitchell, outside backers Maurice Jones and Courtney Davenport return. Also back are safeties Kevin Verpaele and J.R. Reed, along with cornerback Ron Hemingway. Junior place kicker Santiago Gramatica returns and sophomore Brandon Baker will take over the punting duties.

Most are predicting that this year the Conference USA crown will come down to a battle between TCU and Southern Miss. Some pick the Horned Frogs, other take the Golden Eagles, but those two at the top of everyone's list. Cincinnati, who were co-champions with TCU last year, are usually predicted to finish third. There is also agreement that Houston and Army will finish in the tenth and eleventh spots. As to who will be fourth through ninth, prognosticators are all over the map.

USF is a perfect example. While the Bulls are picked as high as fourth in some preseason publications, others are saying they could be the most disappointing team in the conference and finish ninth. Louisville is a team that most feel should earn a bowl berth. Tulane and UAB are sometimes named as surprise teams, while Memphis and East Carolina are not expected to contend for a bowl bid. TCU, Southern Miss, Cincinnati and Louisville may get four of Conference USA's five bowl bids. USF may be battling Tulane and UAB for the last bid.

USF opens the season on ESPN August 30 at Alabama. While it will be the first game as a head coach for former Bucs offensive coordinator Mike Shula, the Crimson Tide are nationally ranked. The home opener is September 6 against Division I-AA Nicholls State. The Bulls open C-USA play at Army on September 27, then the conference schedule heats up. Louisville (10/4) and TCU (10/10, a Friday night on ESPN) come to Tampa before a trip to Southern Miss (10/25). A home game against Cincinnati (11/1), a trip to East Carolina (11/8), a home game with UAB (11/22) and a game at Memphis (11/29) closes out the schedule. There is also a game against Division I-AA Charleston Southern (10/18) to make a total of eleven games.

Will the Bulls go bowling for the first time? They will have to go 6-3 against Division I-A foes to be eligible. Considering USF has exceeded expectations just about every season, you may not want to bet against it. Joining Conference USA is just one of many changes for the 2003 USF Bulls. As Jim Leavitt said, "I don't know how it's going to play out with a lot of new players."