South Florida at Auburn

The Bulls put the country on notice last season by going on the road and beating West Virginia. We took notice! This is not a program that is a household name, but that is about to change. The Bulls have been steadily improving as they went from a six-win Bowl team in '05 to a nine-win Bowl winner last year. This is their best team yet. Last year this team lost some key players to injury, and overall lost 50 starts to injury, yet still played well. Matt Grothe is the poor man's Patrick White. He is a double threat at QB, and with Mike Ford in the backfield and Amari Jackson and Taurus Johnson to throw to, this offense is going to excel. The defense is healthy again, and what was a good defense last season, may be the best in the Big East this year. Auburn was very fortunate last year, as they went 6-2 in SEC games despite being out-gained by over 30 yards per game. They may not be so fortunate this season, as they will be playing with a re-vamped offensive line, and the speed of the USF defense is going to take them by surprise. Auburn won a lot of close games last season, as they won five by 7 points or less, and this year they return just five starters on offense, having lost a couple dozen lettermen. Last week at home, Auburn could do nothing on the ground vs. a Kansas State team that is average at best. The Bulls are good behind the line, and in the secondary, and Auburn is going to have a tough time solving their defense. We would not be surprised if USF wins this one outright!