TAMPA, Fla. – What if I told you that South Carolina State could be the most important game of the season for USF?
Let that sink in.
South. Carolina. State.
This is an FCS opponent who knocked off a Top-10 FCS opponent to start the season (Wofford). And now they will be paid ($400,000) to come in to play USF at Ray Jay.
Add in the fact that there is a growing angst from USF Fans (and even some influential alumni) to want the Charlie Strong era to be over sooner rather than later.
Who is QB1?
Throughout the entire offseason all the talk was how much fun this new Kerwin Bell offense was for the players. The confidence level was up and the quarterback position seemed to be stabilized with second-year man Blake Barnett.
But then USF got shutout against Wisconsin and struggled to ten points against Georgia Tech. This certainly has more to do with the offensive line and team discipline (penalties) than is does the play at quarterback.
Now the offensive line is being shuffled around. Billy Atterbury is moving from tackle (overmatched) to his more comfortable spot at guard (where he should have been all along). Donovan Jennings is back to tackle (his position of strength). We also have Marcus Norman being challenged for time at right tackle by Virginia Tech transfer Jarrett Hopple.
Okay let’s get to the question: Start Blake or Start Jordan?
All indications suggest Jordan McCloud will get his first career start Saturday evening at Ray Jay. The trend is growing. But this is a Charlie Strong decision. Kerwin Bell let his head coach know how he felt, but it falls on Strong – as well it should since this “coaching call” will more than likely determine if Charlie Strong is around much longer.
McCloud is a talented young man and Bell has been impressed with him throughout the offseason. McCloud made tremendous strides under Plant head coach Robert Weiner in 2017 after transferring over from Sickles. McCloud is the younger brother of former Sickles star Ray-Ray McCloud. Ray-Ray won a national championship at Clemson and is currently with the Carolina Panthers.
But could he be the ‘Teddy Bridgewater’ for Strong? In no ways am I comparing Bridgewater and McCloud. What I mean is can McCloud help Strong’s tenure and possibly spark a level of optimism the way Bridgewater did when he came in during the fourth game of his freshman year. Bridgewater improved and led Louisville to a Sugar Bowl win as a sophomore, followed by a 12-1 record as a junior. Following that 2013 season Bridgewater went to the NFL and Charlie Strong left for Texas.
USF would gladly trade Strong leaving for a Power Five job in the future if it meant success because of the switch to McCloud.
But what about Blake Barnett?
By all accounts Blake has done nothing wrong in terms of ability or potential. It’s a mix of offensive line struggles, some inconsistent play, and untimely mistakes (some not his fault).
I think this week is more about the future of a coach and less about the talent of two young men who are both being put in a tough spot. But this happened last season when Chris Oladokun and Brett Kean were strung along by coaches until Barnett was given the job.
USF fans want a win. They’re tired of losing.
A loss to SC State (nine in a row) - The bye week could be perfect for a certain change.
How’s the Defense?
It’s actually playing really good. Linebacker Patrick Macon has to sit the first half of the game Saturday after being ejected during the Georgia Tech game for targeting.
USF is ranked 59th in the nation in total defense including a tie for 17th in the nation (with Michigan) for pass defense (138.5 yards per game).
SC State has the ability to move the ball on the ground with a mobile QB. If The Bulls can lock down passing options and limit drives then this should be an easy day for USF’s offense to score and win with ease.
PREDICTION TIME
USF is not known to play like the big bad Group of Five team against FCS opponents under Charlie Strong. They did beat Elon 34-14 to kick off last season but it never felt like a 20-point win. Who could forget the 31-17 win over Stony Brook in 2017? The game was tied, 17-17, in the fourth quarter and Stone Brook had a chance to tie the game again with less than three minutes to play in regulation.
I have USF winning this game.
But I don’t know if I can call it a blowout. If USF is worth its salt then it shows up and takes all that energy of losing eight straight games, which dates back to October of last season, and takes it out on SC State with a BIG showing from the offense.
Can it happen? Yes.
But why do we even need to ask that question?
USF 28
SC State 16
If this happens…well, it is a bye week. And things can happen during a bye week.