South Florida vs Cincinnati Preview

In the first five-star matchup of the 2009 Big East season, the South Florida Bulls welcome the Cincinnati Bearcats to Raymond James Stadium on Thursday night in Tampa. When Jim Leavitt's lineup hosts Brian Kelly's crew, USF fans can only hope that their gridiron heroes won't display the abundant generosity that has characterized this series in recent years.

A lot of excitement--and some very high stakes--accompany this tilt between two teams that carry 5-0 records onto the Tampa turf. Coaches have had extra time to prepare their game plans, and players have been able to scrutinize film in greater depth and detail. Yet, for all the preparation that's going into this gargantuan game, the key is really rather simple, almost painfully so: Turnovers.

South Florida's seasons have taken nasty turns the last two years against the Bearcats. Any chance of finishing the 2007 campaign with decisiveness and conviction went out the window when the Bulls dropped a home decision to UC, 38-33. Last year, a 24-10 loss in the Queen City cemented USF's lamentable yet undeniable tradition, the patented second-half tailspin. Those losses occurred under different circumstances ( Cincinnati was a legit team in '08, but not so established or formidable in '07), but they shared one very conspicuous unifying element: The Bulls couldn't hold onto the ball, and managed to squander opportunities even when the Bearcats extended a helping hand.

In last year's game, the Bearcats' three turnovers were matched by USF's number of giveaways, as Matt Grothe threw three interceptions to blunt any and all momentum USF might have gained from Cincy's own trio of turnovers. A chronic inability to respond well to prosperity doomed a sluggish and mistake-prone collection of toughs from Tampa, who fell short on a Thursday night in southwestern Ohio. That loss stung Leavitt and his coaching staff, but it was nothing compared to the events of 2007.

Two years ago, Cincinnati watched in shock as South Florida produced a pick-six and a kickoff return for a touchdown, but before the day was done, the Bearcats were easily able to overcome their early-stage shortcomings. UC might have lost the ball three times in that 2007 tussle, but USF gave away the ball on eight separate occasions, with four fumbles and four interceptions. The tidal wave of turnovers enabled UC, once down 14-7, to score 24 second-quarter points within a span of 6 minutes and 27 seconds. The Bearcats snatched a 31-14 lead and held on for an upset win.

USF has therefore committed a total of 11 turnovers in each of its last two games against Cincinnati. If the Bulls and quarterback B.J. Daniels are to experience the winning results Matt Grothe never found when pitted against the Bearcats, protecting the ball has to be the first and last priority. If Daniels can display ball security and then make some open-field plays as this Thursday night fight unfolds, USF--seemingly in trouble when Grothe went down in mid-September--would suddenly become the favorite in the Big East Conference.

Not bad for a team with its backup quarterback in the leading role under center.

> Find a great selection of USF hats & apparel and more online along with Big East football jerseys from Big East Fans partner sites.

By Matt Zemek
DFN Sports Senior Staff Writer