College Football Preview: South Florida

South Florida Bulls

2015 Results: 8-5 (6-2, 2nd in East)

Lost to Western Kentucky in Miami Beach Bowl

Returning Starters: 7 OFF, 7 DEF, 1 SP

2016 Schedule

September

3rd TOWSON

10th NORTHERN ILLINOIS 

17th at Syracuse

24th FLORIDA STATE

October

1st at Cincinnati

8th EAST CAROLINA

15th CONNECTICUT

21st at Temple

28th NAVY

November

12th at Memphis

19th at SMU

26th CENTRAL FLORIDA

Willie Taggart had things looking up in South Beach. After going 6-18 in his first two seasons, they made the jump last year with an 8-5 season. The best part, they return nearly 75% of their team from a year ago. Even better, only 5 of the projected starters will be seniors this year. This team is one to watch. 

Junior quarterback Quinton Flowers returns for his second year as starter. The dual-threat quarterback was the team's second leading rusher a year ago (991 yards). Lining up beside Flower will be the explosive junior running back, Marlon Mack. Mack has rushed for 1,000 or more yards in each of his first two seasons for the Bulls. The running back position will go four deep so expect the load to be shared. The receivers will be the deepest since Taggart began his stint. If Flowers can get them the ball, they can take off with it. Last season, the offense set multiple school records. A few of them will be broken this year. 

The defense will be stout. They are very opportunistic and their 25 takeaways show. The 17 interceptions was also impressive, and that's why the secondary is the key unit for this defense. The Bulls run a 4-2-5 and return each of their back 7. The line will be replacing three starters, but linebacker Auggie Sanchez (117 tackles last year) will be an extension of that line. 

Player to Watch: Marlon Mack

Marlon Mack ran for 1,381 yards last year as a sophomore. He will be the most electric player on the offensive side of the ball. Mack is a bruiser and very hard to bring down. There is a very high likely hood that Mack will be AAC Offensive Player of the Year.

If you only watch them once, watch: 

10/21 at Temple

Temple is defending East Division champs. The road to the conference title will go through Philadelphia. If you beat the Owls, the rest of the way should be easy. This should be a very good game. It's very possible that both teams will only have one loss when they meet near the end of October. 

What to Expect

The Bulls are very good. They will have a decent schedule that will provide them with plenty of opportunities to continue their growth. Next year will be huge for them, but that don't mean this year is a waste. 

Prediction

9-3 (6-2, AAC)

-Dug

@chansm1th