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Halfway there…

USF reached the halfway point of the season after stinging defeat at UAB last Saturday.

Expectations/Outlook

  • Has the team met, surpassed or not met your your expectations going into the season ?
  • What has you excited going into the 2nd half of the season?
  • What Concerns you?
Players
  • What position group has surprised?
  • Disappointed?
  • Offensive MVP?
  • Honorable mentions?
  • Defensive MVP?
  • Honorable mentions?
  • What transfer has had the biggest impact?
Coaching
  • What coach stands out the most?
    • Bonus points if you mention someone besides CAG
  • Who concerns you?

Predictions
  • Wins: How many more games does USF win in the regular season?
  • Bowling: Does USF make a bowl game?
  • True or False: USF will finish among the top 4 teams in conference.

HOOPS AAC 2023-24 Coaches Poll

IRVING, Texas (Oct. 9, 2023) – For the fourth straight year, the University of South Florida women’s basketball program has been picked to finish first in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) preseason coaches poll, as announced by the league office on Monday.

South Florida men’s basketball program has been picked to finish ninth.

1 Florida Atlantic

2 Memphis

3 Tulane

4 UAB

5 East Carolina

6 North Texas

7 SMU

8 Wichita State

9 South Florida

10 Tulsa

11 Rice

12 Temple

13 Charlotte

14 UTSA

FOOTBALL Some individual player accomplishments during the UAB game

WR Sean Atkins -- recorded eight receptions (for 91 yards) on the night and now has 36 receptions on the season, passing his previous career total before this season of 29 in four seasons at USF. Atkins has recorded at least four receptions and 42 yards in every game this season, continuing that streak Saturday.

WR Michael Brown-Stephens -- recorded three receptions for 27 yards and one TD, which was the second receiving TD of his career.

QB Byrum Brown – his 60-yard rushing TD was the fifth-longest rushing TD by a USF QB (behind Q. Flowers 62 yards vs. UCF 11/26/16). The run was tied for the 21st-longest TD rush in program history. Brown now has 25 total TD accounted for in eight career starts, a USF record. His 136-yards rushing Saturday marks the third time in his career he has rushed for 100-yards, tying QB Matt Grothe for the third most 100+ rushing yard games in a career by a USF QB.

LB Jhalyn Shuler – recorded 10 tackles (eight solo, career high) on the day, his second most on the season behind his 11 (two solo) against Alabama. Also recorded one sack while forcing an intentional grounding penalty in the second quarter.

DB Logan Berryhill – career-high 10 tackles (six solo) and had nine by halftime (previous career high was seven vs. ALA).

CB Braxton Clark – First career INT with USF (second of career), returned for 38 yards.

K John Cannon – knocked down all five extra points on the season, continuing his perfect streak to begin his career, (23-for-23 on XP and five-for-five on FG through six games).

FOOTBALL South Florida (-3) at UAB

Unusual spot for both teams as UAB has only been a home underdog once since 2018 (0-1 ATS), and USF has been a road favorite once since 2020 (0-1 ATS, 0-1 SU). We will learn alot about USF today as they are beginning to believe they can and should win, but can the eliminate the mistakes and win as a favorite on the road. UAB, picked to finish 8th in the preseason poll, is a bit of a mess with Trent Dilfer losing his mind on the sideline last week.

UAB ranks 130th nationally in points allowed (43.5 ppg) while USF comes in at 82nd (29.3 ppg) and both give up yards - UAB 131st (502 ypg) versus 82nd for USF (399 ypg). UAB's rush defense is one of the worst in the country and their pass defense is only slightly better, and while they do not out pressure on the QB they will turn over the other team.

UAB struggles to run the ball (bottom quartile in most metrics), which USF has shown its capable of stopping at times. UAB's offense throws alot and they are effective at it (Top 20 in passing attempt and yards per game), while USF has struggled against the pass.

This feels like a game that USF matches up well in most phases of the game (except defending the pass) but are they ready to play as a road favorite? Expect there to be plenty if points and both defense get worn out with as fast as these offense like to play.

Pick: Over 66.5
2023 Record: 2-3

HOOPS Media was allowed to attend practice Thursday

The Bulls' Thursday practice was open to the media for 15 minutes. Jim Louk and I were the only members of the media to show up. Jim has the call for all USF MBB games that are streamed on ESPN+.

Our message boards and Instagram have a tricky relationship but if you click on the image it should take you right to my IG post that has some videos from practice.

FOOTBALL Coordinators' Update: Todd Orlando & Joel Gordon preview UAB

This Zoom was on Wednesday but I had a schedule conflict and couldn't attend. I got the video this evening and transcribed it.

STORY
Our friend Leo wasn't too bad today but he literally asked the below question after Coach Gordon answered another question by saying they are taking what the defense is giving them.

Leo: "This offense isn't a one trick pony. You've got five guys rushing the football. You got eight guys catching the football. Just like you said, whatever is working you're gonna go to correct?"

Also Leo: Coach, my last question, thank you for your time today. I was talking to Jake P. Peterson, about and an hour ago, and Peter Blank asked me when did Brown start to make the big change to step up?

At least Leo didn't start off a question by quoting Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, or stating that his Parish Priest asked him about USF or his Oncologist asked him about USF. So, there's that.

OT- Puka Nacua

I'm sure we're all aware of how Puka Nacua is tearing up the NFL early on. I've had three or four people ask me where Puka Nacua came from. I've told them that USF fans are all too familiar as he burned us for a TD on an end around on the first play of the season last year. It's so fun to be able the wrap up the story with "but we don't suck anymore!"
  • Haha
Reactions: Rob-Bull
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