Sporting News

Actually, USF is #10 in CBS Sports 2017 early top 25. And higher than #25 in some others also.

http://www.cbssports.com/college-footbal...tate-high/

10. South Florida: Charlie Strong walks into a loaded locker room. Quarterback Quinton Flowers should contend for the Heisman Trophy. Despite the loss of three-time 1,000-yard rusher Marlon Mack, the Bulls should the favorites in the American

http://www.espn.com/college-football/sto...op-25-2017

20. USF

2016 record: 11-2, 7-1 AAC
Returning starters: 7 offense, 9 defense, 2 special teams

Key losses: RB Marlon Mack, WR Rodney Adams, OT Kofi Amichia, G Dominique Threatt, LB Nigel Harris, SS Nate Godwin, CB Johnny Ward

Outlook: Former Texas coach Charlie Strong might have inherited the best team in a Group of 5 conference from former USF coach Willie Taggart. Quarterback Quinton Flowers is back, but losing tailback Marlon Mack (1,187 rushing yards, 15 touchdowns) to the NFL draft is a big blow. Still, the Bulls should have one of the most potent offenses in the FBS. Nine starters are expected back on defense as well. USF's nonconference schedule isn't very difficult (there's a home game against Illinois), and the team will play AAC foes Houston, Temple and Tulsa at home. Strong might have a very big maiden season in Tampa, Florida.

http://www.foxsports.com/college-footbal...son-011017


21 USF (11-2)

Charlie Strong’s Bulls will be the preseason Group of 5 favorite to reach a New Year’s Six bowl. That’s primarily because of QB Quinton Flowers, who amassed a Lamar Jackson-esque 1,530 rushing yards and a Top 20 passer rating. Three-time 1,000-yard rusher Marlon Mack turned pro, but most of Flowers’ receivers return. DT Deadrin Senat and CB Deatrick Nichols lead what should be an experienced defense.

I think we will start 2017 ranked from 19-22

Good for the conference.

I wonder if any USF fans are worried about Strong bringing in the exact same staff that got him fired from Texas? I mean if that group couldn't beat Kansas with the resources at Texas why reassemble the exact same team?

Texas' offense was pretty good, maybe even very good, so I have no probem with the people Strong brought in on offense (Gilbert, Mattox). They're spread guys that will retain the same offensive principles. Plus he retained USF's QB coach Shaun King, who is now the RB coach. He had a lot to do with Flowers' development.

USF wasn't very good on defense this year, so whoever they bring in can't really do any worse than Raymond Woodie (previous DC).

(01-10-2017 11:05 AM)HoustonRocks Wrote:   Sporting News

Strong was a smart hire. Not only is he a good coach, but ESPN and every other media group out there thought he got a raw deal at UT and is going to be pumping him up every chance they get. Good free pub for the Bulls.

USF is going to need to be ranked as high as they can to start. Their strength of schedule will be pretty low. Illinois being their "premier" match up. Umass, Stoneybrook, although at San Jose State may prove to be tough.

USA Today

USF at 20 and Tulsa at 28

Maybe the league has multiple teams in the top 25. Certainly teams there and knocking on the door.

2017 could be even better than 2016 for the Bulls. If our defense can play slightly better with more experience and better coaching

USF has a very winnable (should be favored) over Illinois - the same team WMU beat this year.

(01-10-2017 07:09 PM)dbackjon Wrote:  USF has a very winnable (should be favored) over Illinois - the same team WMU beat this year.

USF should be able to sleep walk to a 4-0 non-conf schedule...probably easiest in AAC for 2017.

08/26 - at San Jose State
09/02 - Div I-AA STONY BROOK
09/16 - ILLINOIS
10/14 - UMASS

As Central Michigan showed this year...just win...vs anyone...and that will help you move up the rankings.

I don't mean to sound pessimistic... but I am not going to spend the summer thinking we are a lock for anything. Our OOC may not look impressive, but every season shows that the AAC is an outstanding conference. Anyone from among Temple, Memphis, Cinci, USF, UCF, ECU, Navy... almost anyone in the AAC, has the capacity to rise up and win, or be a heck of a spoiler.

Houston looked like a lock this season and look what happened...

That said, we seem to have the tools in place for next year... I can't wait until next season to see what happens!

(01-11-2017 11:17 AM)Bull Wrote:  I don't mean to sound pessimistic... but I am not going to spend the summer thinking we are a lock for anything. Our OOC may not look impressive, but every season shows that the AAC is an outstanding conference. Anyone from among Temple, Memphis, Cinci, USF, UCF, ECU, Navy... almost anyone in the AAC, has the capacity to rise up and win, or be a heck of a spoiler.

Houston looked like a lock this season and look what happened...

That said, we seem to have the tools in place for next year... I can't wait until next season to see what happens!

True...and every year there are favorites in each division. Sometimes they win...sometimes they don't.

QB is probably the most important position for most teams (Navy seems to be able to inset them as needed in their offense) and with Flowers coming back and with Temple losing key offensive players (QB, RB), USF will probably be the big fav to win the EAST and probably host the AAC Champ Game.

USF plays Tulane and Tulsa from the West...and it seems their toughest games are at home?

AAC HOME: CINCI, HOUSTON, TEMPLE, TULSA
AAC ROAD:@Tulane,@UCONN, @ECU, @UCF

(01-11-2017 12:04 PM)KnightLight Wrote:  

(01-11-2017 11:17 AM)Bull Wrote:  I don't mean to sound pessimistic... but I am not going to spend the summer thinking we are a lock for anything. Our OOC may not look impressive, but every season shows that the AAC is an outstanding conference. Anyone from among Temple, Memphis, Cinci, USF, UCF, ECU, Navy... almost anyone in the AAC, has the capacity to rise up and win, or be a heck of a spoiler.

Houston looked like a lock this season and look what happened...

That said, we seem to have the tools in place for next year... I can't wait until next season to see what happens!

True...and every year there are favorites in each division. Sometimes they win...sometimes they don't.

QB is probably the most important position for most teams (Navy seems to be able to inset them as needed in their offense) and with Flowers coming back and with Temple losing key offensive players (QB, RB), USF will probably be the big fav to win the EAST and probably host the AAC Champ Game.

USF plays Tulane and Tulsa from the West...and it seems their 4 road games are pretty easy:

AAC HOME: CINCI, HOUSTON, TEMPLE, TULSA
AAC ROAD:@Tulsa,@UCONN, @ECU, @UCF

Didn't know we had a home-and-home with USF next season.

(01-11-2017 12:09 PM)Hurricane Drummer Wrote:  

(01-11-2017 12:04 PM)KnightLight Wrote:  

(01-11-2017 11:17 AM)Bull Wrote:  I don't mean to sound pessimistic... but I am not going to spend the summer thinking we are a lock for anything. Our OOC may not look impressive, but every season shows that the AAC is an outstanding conference. Anyone from among Temple, Memphis, Cinci, USF, UCF, ECU, Navy... almost anyone in the AAC, has the capacity to rise up and win, or be a heck of a spoiler.

Houston looked like a lock this season and look what happened...

That said, we seem to have the tools in place for next year... I can't wait until next season to see what happens!

True...and every year there are favorites in each division. Sometimes they win...sometimes they don't.

QB is probably the most important position for most teams (Navy seems to be able to inset them as needed in their offense) and with Flowers coming back and with Temple losing key offensive players (QB, RB), USF will probably be the big fav to win the EAST and probably host the AAC Champ Game.

USF plays Tulane and Tulsa from the West...and it seems their 4 road games are pretty easy:

AAC HOME: CINCI, HOUSTON, TEMPLE, TULSA
AAC ROAD:@Tulsa,@UCONN, @ECU, @UCF

Didn't know we had a home-and-home with USF next season.

That is one way to boost strength of schedule.