Deposit Instantly Using Your Credit Card at Sportsbook.com!

2008 South Florida Football Picks & Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd

South Florida was the number two ranked team in the nation at one point in 2007 before hitting a three-game snag. The Bulls are ready to prove that there national consideration was no fluke with an even better campaign this year. Jimmy Boyd’s college football predictions in this 2008 South Florida Bulls season preview discusses just how high they can go.

Offense

The Bulls return 10 starters from an offense which scored 34.7 points per game, including dual-threat QB Matt Grothe. Grothe rushed for 872 yards and passed for 2,670 more. Don’t be surprised to hear his name mentioned in some Heisman Trophy talk before its all said and done (check out the current odds to win the Heisman Trophy at Sportsbook.com). Mike Ford joins Grothe in the backfield. The 6′2” 225-pound literal bull rushed for 672 yards and a team-high 12 touchdowns last season. South Florida’s top five receivers also return, led by Carlton Mitchell, Jessie Hester Jr., and Taurus Johnson. This trio combined for over 100 catches and 12 touchdowns a season ago. Four starters return on the line, headed by All-Big East candidate Ryan Schmidt.

Defense

Three key losses on this side of the ball are cause for concern. Linebacker Ben Moffitt and cornerback Mike Jenkins were All-Big East first-team selections, and cornerback Trae Williams earned second-team distinction. South Florida will go to battle with senior Tyrone McKenzie at middle linebacker with Brouce Mompremier and Chris Robinson at his sides. McKenzie set a team record with 121 tackles on the strong side last season and is the natural replacement at middle backer. It’s going to be hard to reload at the cornerback spot since South Florida boasted the best cornerback duo in the league. Tyller Roberts and Jerome Murphy will give it a go. Experienced safeties Carlton Williams and Nate Allen will be expected to help out the corners. A strong pass rush will help as well, led by reigning Big East Defensive Player of the Year George Selvie. He led the league with 14.5 sacks and with 31.5 tackles for loss. Tackle Aaron Harris was second on the team with 5.5 sacks and gives the Bulls a solid interior presence.

Special Teams

Like West Virginia’s Pat McAfee, Delbert Alvarado also handles both the kicking and the punting for the Bulls. He was 19 of 29 on field goal tries and averaged better than 41 yards per punt. The Bulls need to get more in the kick return game. Marcus Edwards only averaged 7.5 yards per punt return a season ago.

Prediction – 2nd Big East

South Florida’s rise to national prominence was no fluke last season and the cupboards are still stocked, meaning we think this team is better than Rutgers and Pittsburgh. The defense might not be quite as good with three key starters gone, and that might be enough to keep South Florida from a Big East title. Don’t be surprised if the conference is decided on December 6th at West Virginia in the season finale. South Florida is listed at 2-1 odds to win the Big East Conference at BodogLife.com.

Let Jimmy Boyd’s football betting expertise fill your pockets with cold hard cash in 2008 on the college gridiron. His thoroughly researched college football picks have produced 10 consecutive profitable seasons and no handicapper has made a bigger splash in the bowl season. Jimmy’s 14-5 college bowl predictions run to close out the year was unmatched across the industry!

Do you want to beat the college football spreads this year? Then sign up for the football picks offered by our expert sports handicappers!

If you liked this article, you may also be interested in: