On Sunday afternoon, Daniel Da Prato was announced as the Bulls’ new Interim Head Coach, and Saturday he will face his first test against a red-hot SMU program.
Jeff Scott Out, Optimism In
It’s a new era in USF football, as the school begins the search for the program’s seventh head coach. A majority of the focus will be off the field with all of the rumors, tweets, and hope that come with such a major change. However, there are still three games left in this season, and Bulls’ fans still have reason to tune in and see how the program fares the remainder of the season.
The amount of young talent that will be on display over the next few games is the most intriguing aspect of the rest of the 2022 campaign. The next crop of Bulls stars should have a chance to get some burn against SMU, Tulsa, and once again in the War of 1-4 against UCF.
A brand new leader of a team always comes with changes, and USF’s players will try to bring a new effort and focus into Saturday’s game.
“We’re not in charge of the the things that happen to us, but every single one of us is in charge of how we respond to any situation, whether that’s positive or negative” – Interim Head Coach Daniel Da Prato
A team with nothing to lose is a dangerous team, and Da Prato has already shown that with his energy and passion that has translated to social media, interviews, and practice so far this week. But, how will it translate on the field against the Mustangs?
Big Underdogs
SMU opened as a 17.5 point favorite in Vegas this week, and that number is big for a reason. Just last week, SMU was involved in the highest scoring regulation college football game of all time as they beat Houston 77-63.
Tanner Mordecai had 10 (!) total touchdowns in the game and has looked like the experienced starter that he is all year, tossing 25 touchdowns and only seven INTs on the year.
Head Coach Rhett Lashlee has unleashed his offensive mind on this offense to the tune of 40 points per game so far this year. Lashlee uses different personnel and spacing to spread the defense out and create open space for his QB to throw into.
Mordecai already has a 1000 yard receiver in Rashee Rice, who was selected to play in the Senior Bowl this week. This offense is explosive in every sense of the word, and that is the last thing this Bulls’ defense needs to see after surrendering 56 points to Temple.
Thankfully, SMU’s defense has also struggled mightily this year, giving up 34 points per game and allowing 30+ against some bad offenses (Navy and Tulsa). If the Bulls execute on offense, they will be able to score. The unit just needs to find success on early downs and put themselves in a solid spot, instead of the turnovers and long third downs. The issues are fixable, and this is a week that USF could show off some off their horses like Battie and Weaver.
Veteran’s Day Vibes
USF will be honoring veterans with their “Salute to Service” uniforms (debut in 2021) , which might be the best the Bulls have worn all year.
Final Thoughts
The excitement surrounding the new possibilities of the program is contagious, and it’s a fun time to be a fan right now, but the on the field product Saturday is still expected to be meager. SMU will be able to score early and often in this one, and the Bulls will need to make some serious changes this week if they expect to compete with Lashlee’s fireworks.
The offense is still trying to find consistency and rhythm under new QB Katravis Marsh, but all options are now on the table, so don’t be surprised to see Byrum Brown under center for stretches of the game. The Mustangs have struggled all year on D, and USF should be able to score as well, but at the moment it’s difficult to find a way that the Bulls pull this one out. These programs are in two very different places.
Score Prediction – SMU 40 USF 21