No Votes for the Underdog
USF Fans are wondering why their beloved Bulls did not receive a single vote in the latest AP Top 25 poll. Here is the simple truth: because your team played the 12th ranked team in FCS football. And towards the end of the game, the Bulls (second string aside) looked like it was sleepwalking.
But that can (start to) change with this week’s Power Five opponent: Georgia Tech. Now this is what I call a quality opponent. Georgia Tech carries enough respect in the ACC to be a solid nonconference game for the Bulls. During ACC Media Days the Yellow Jackets were picked to finish third in the ACC Coastal Division, but did received eight first place votes. That isn’t bad for a team that was coming off a losing season.
Quotes: “We’re a Group of Five (team) we are not Power Five (team),” said USF head coach Charlie Strong. “So when you get a chance to go play a Power Five team you have to play well…what it does it is it opens people’s eyes.”
“People don’t think that we can play with schools like this,” said defensive end Kirk Livingstone. “I think this is a great opportunity for us to go out and win.”
Buzzing on Offense
TaQuon Marshall had as many completions as he did rushing attempts (nine) during the Yellow Jackets’ 41-0 win over Alcorn State last weekend. He totaled 181 yards and two touchdowns for Georgia Tech. Bulls fans will need to get used to hearing names like Jordan Mason, KirVonte Benson and Tobias Oliver. All three backs will take part in this triple option offense. Each had at least ten carries for at least 72 rushing yards last week. Benson had two touchdowns while Mason added one score.
Georgia Tech racked up 439 rushing yards last week, which ranks them second in the nation among all FBS football teams. In 2017 Georgia Tech was fifth in the nation with over 307 rushing yards per game.
Quote: “You have to be assignment sound,” said Strong. “They want you to play at their pace and that is what we can’t do.”
A Defense that Stings
Georgia Tech has one of the most improving defenses in the ACC over the past four seasons.
A quick look at the numbers:
YEAR TOTAL DEFENSE ACC RANK
2017 354.3 YPG 5TH
2016 401.6 YPG 9TH
2015 368.0 YPG 8TH
2014 411.3 YPG 13TH
Last season Georgia Tech gave up over 193 rushing yards per road game. USF expects Florida transfer Jordan Cronkrite to make his debut this Saturday (minor injury). That should help the Bulls add another dimension to its game plan and keep the Yellow Jackets honest in their approach to the USF offense.One area that would actually give Bulls fans some excitement is that the Yellow Jackets had only six interceptions in 2017. Only one of those came on the road. Georgia Tech gave up the second fewest passing yards in the ACC last season (2,207) but was seventh in the ACC in passing yards per game (200.6).
Torello’s Take
I think seeing Blake Barnett finally play helped calm the questions about this USF offense. The thing that should really excite Bulls fans is that Barnett is still learning this offense; per himself and head coach Charlie Strong. Basically, as each week goes by we should see more improvement by number 11.
I am excited to see this offense against a worthy opponent. It’s the first time USF has faced this type of nonconference foe in the first month of the season since FSU came to town in September of 2016. And this is a chance for the Bulls to prove they belong in the conversation with some of the more established programs.
I am also anxious to see what the USF defense will do against Georgia Tech. It is all about the run game. Luckily the Bulls has been looking over this offense in bits and pieces since the spring.
Prediction
USF 35, Georgia Tech 20
I am already breaking from my preseason prediction where I picked Georgia Tech to win. Maybe I am buying into this USF defense too much. Maybe I got caught up in a 5-star recruit throwing three touchdown passes in green and gold last weekend.
Say what you want, but I think this Bulls team can be good. Real good.
Here comes an opportunity for USF to prove itself early in the season and it just so happens to be on a national stage.
See you Saturday at Ray Jay.