Previewing South Florida with Collin Sherwin

Cincinnati plays South Florida tonight at 8 on CBS Sports Network. Cincinnati is a 2 point favorite over the Bulls. UC is 8-4 all time against USF. South Florida and Cincinnati are each 6-4, but the Bulls are 4-2 in the AAC. With a win tonight and a Temple loss, South Florida would put themselves in the driver’s seat for the AAC East title. Yes, the USF Bulls have a pretty decent shot to win the AAC East. Cincinnati’s odds aren’t zero, but a loss tonight or a Temple win in either of the Owl’s final two games eliminates Cincinnati.

To preview South Florida before this highly important clash, I talked to Collin Sherwin from South Florida 247, which is pretty much everyone you loved from Voodoo 5.

My questions are in bold.

USF got off to a tough luck start at 1-3, but they’ve played pretty great and are now 6-4. Outside of not playing Florida State, what has been the major change in results for the Bulls?

CS: They’ve been experimenting with this new offensive trick called the “forward pass.” Apparently you’re allowed to throw the ball vertically towards the opponents end zone at least once on every down. Who knew??

After the loss to Memphis, which can be pretty squarely placed on overly conservative play-calling, the players went to Willie Taggart and begged him to open up the offense. From the second half of the Syracuse game forward, it’s been like watching a different football team. They’re not afraid to take chances, and Quinton Flowers finally seems to have the trust of the staff.

It’s still a team that’s going to run it more than they throw it, and when you have Marlon Mack, D’Ernest Johnson, and Darius Tice that’s a good thing. But the newfound offensive verticality opens up so much of the run game.

The Bulls run the ball extremely well with Marlon Mack and Quinton Flowers. What’s the key for the Bearcats to slowing the Bulls down on the ground?

Get penetration and don’t dive at the ball against zone read. These guys run it really effectively, and will use play action off of it as well. If you have to hedge towards one or the other, take away Mack. He gets to the second level, and you’re giving up a big play.

Quinton Flowers has had a pretty successful season with his arms as well as his legs, tossing for 14 touchdowns to only 6 INTs. Is he a legit quarterback for the present and future?

In USF’s amazing ability to never find true satisfaction in life, people are already talking about UCLA transfer and former Elite 11 MVP Asiantii Woulard in 2016. He’s got three years of eligibility left, and having seen him with the scout team in practice, he throws a gorgeous ball.

But the last six weeks Q has been really good, and I was the leader of the “USF can’t win consistently with Quinton Flowers” train. Really nice kid, but I just thought he was too limited as a passer. He keeps proving me wrong.

After the last few seasons of rampant ineptitude it’s amazing to say this, but USF might have a QB controversy and competition next year. Can’t wait.

Follow up, what’s it like having a USF quarterback that can play well? We haven’t seen that in a while!

It’s glorious, and having Woulard waiting in the wings makes it even better. What Skip Holtz allowed to happen to that position is criminal. He should be sued for the balance of the contract we’re still paying him through 2017 for malfeasance.

USF has had three four-year starters in the teams brief history: Marquel Blackwell, Matt Grothe, and BJ Daniels. For the most part, exempting the Ronnie Banks/Pat Julmiste era, we’ve always had solid QB play. You don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone I guess.

USF’s defense is nearly a top 40 group. What’s been the major change from a unit that was pretty awful against Cincinnati last season?

That former DC Chuck Bresnahan is in Orlando helping to crater the Knights. His replacement Tom Allen might get some looks from bigger schools as a DC or maybe even a head coach in the offseason, and keeping him is going to be a priority.

The front four has been unleashed under him, and the coverage has been aggressive down the field. They’re calling themselves the “Bullsharks” and even if that sounds gimmicky it’s been working.

How much has the opinion of Willie Taggart changed since August?

The writing was on the wall: bowl game or bust this season. They’ve gotten there, and it seems like the fans are on board with the new play calling. He’s been the play caller since he got here, and the offense was one of the worst in America.

In September, I didn’t think he’d be here in 2016. Now I’m wondering if they redo his contract after the season. College football is so nuts.

Weird things always happen when UC plays USF. What weird thing happens tonight?

Over 25,000 USF fans show up for a football game? The student section will be loud and proud? Sorry, it’s been awhile since these things happened.

I think there’s a stretch in the third quarter where both teams combine to score four touchdowns in under six minutes. Gonna get all track meet at Ray Jay.

The “we knock out Tony Pike and Zach Collaros comes in and kills us” game is one most of us still aren’t over. That was the prototypical UC-USF Friday night game.

What’s your prediction?

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I believe again. I think they find a way to win at home, and I think Memphis swarms Temple tomorrow to give USF the division (I’m already counting a win over UCF because HAHAHAHA THEY’RE SO BAD and there’s no way this team will allow UCF to breathe next week).

Bulls 41, UC 35. Kiel throws a backbreaking pick late to ice it.

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Previewing South Florida with Collin Sherwin

Alan Draper

Alan Draper

Alan Draper