USF knows what it's like to lose to an FCS opponent. It was August 31, 2013 - the first year under head coach Willie Taggart, when the Bulls got run out of Raymond James Stadium by an experienced, talented, McNeese State team.
It's no surprise anymore when an FBS team falls to an FCS underdog. UCF lost to Furman during it's winless season in 2015. Florida lost 26-20 to Georgia Southern at the end of the Will Muschamp era in Gainesville.
The difference between now and 20 years ago is that talented players are falling through the recruiting cracks, or via transfer.
That is apparent at Towson with redshirt sophomore Morgan Mahalak, who transfered in from Oregon after two seasons as a back-up for the Ducks.
Mahalak was a four star recruit out of California where he was a first-team All-American and rated at the fifth-best dual-threat quarterback as a senior in 2013. That year, Mahalak was selected to particiapte in the Under Armour All-American game.
USF defensive coordinator, Raymond Woodie, knows his defense needs to be focused and aggressive on Saturday night.
"We have been watching Morgan's high school film," said the first-year coordinator. "He is a scary player. We need to be on top of our game and play hard."
One thing working in USF's favor is having a crop of dual-threat quarterbacks in their offense, giving the Bulls a true look at what is to come on Saturday.
"There is no better dual-threat QB in America than Quinton Flowers" Co-offensive coordinator T.J. Weist said. "Having this defense play against our scout O every day is such an advantage for us whenever we face a talented QB."
"We have four guys (at QB) who can make us better on (defense) because they give us those looks on offense." said Woodie.
USF opens up against Towson on Saturday night, 7:30 at Raymond James Stadium.