2008 South Florida Bulls Football Preview

2008 South Florida Bulls season preview from Maddux Sports. Below you can find our official South Florida Bulls football preview as well as the 2008 South Florida Bulls Football Schedule. After reading this article check out our college football predictions against the current point spread.

Coach: Jim Leavitt (12th year at South Florida)
Team Name: Bulls
2007 Overall Record: 9-4
Returning Starters: 17

In 2007, the South Florida Bulls (9-3 overall, 4-3 Big East) proved that their newfound emergence as a power is not a fluke. Although they finished tied for third in the Big East, the team beat Big East champs West Virginia 21-13. The Bulls went to their third bowl game in a row, getting a Sun Bowl invitation. They met Oregon in the bowl, losing 21-56.

The Bulls return all but one of their starters on the frontline. Junior QB Matt Grothe (392 ATT, 232 COMP, 14 TDs, 14 INT) is a creative improviser. His next step is to become a better decision-maker, cutting down on his interceptions. Grothe also returns as the leading rusher with 872 yards and 10 touchdowns. Sophomore RB Mike Ford could have a breakout season, challenging him for the team’s lead rushing title. WR Carlton Mitchell (37 REC, 537 YDS, 4 TDs) broke the freshman reception record at South Florida last season and looks to be a dynamic presence this season.

Junior DE George Selvie, who had 14.5 sacks and 31.5 tackles was a First-team All-American last season. He leads a tough D-line. Transfer linebacker Tyrone McKenzie, a dominant presence and born leader, plays his first season with the Bulls. But the secondary is not as strong as it should be. The corners are both new, while the safeties are average. FS Nate Allen returns as the leading pick-man with four.

If the Bulls beat West Virginia on December 6 in their final game of the season, that will be a major upset. Swing games include two home contests. The first is on September 12 versus a tough Kansas team. The second will be against Rutgers on November 15.

Jim Leavitt (79-47 in 11 years) has done a fine job bringing SFU to national prominence. Last year, the team made it to number two in the nation, but they could not sustain that ranking. Three straight loses to Rutgers, Connecticut and Cincinnati lost them a BCS bid. This season, the Bulls have another chance to make it into a BCS game. This team is not going away. They are for real.

South Florida Bulls Football Schedule

Date	Opponent	Home/Away
Aug 30	Tenn Martin	Home
Sep 5	UCF	Away
Sep 13	Kansas	Home
Sep 20	Florida International	Away
Sep 27	NC State	Away
Oct 2	Pittsburgh	Home
Oct 18	Syracuse	Home
Oct 25	Louisville	Away
Oct 30	Cincinnati	Away
Nov 15	Rutgers	Home
Nov 23	Connecticut	Home
Dec 6	West Virginia	Away

 

For more info on the 2008 South Florida Bulls football program, view the Bulls football site or you can read about other Big East teams below.