| USF QB B.J. Daniels hopes to get the Bulls back on track after three straight losses. Daniels had 143 passing yards in last week's loss to Florida State. (AP) |
South Florida (2-3, 0-1 Big East) at Temple (1-2, 0-0 Big East)
Kickoff: Saturday, 12 p.m. ET (Big East Network/ESPN 3)
Spread: USF by 4
Watchability: It’s a crucial game for two teams that have underperformed early in the season. The Bulls were a chic pick to win the conference at the start of the season, but were beset by turnovers throughout September. Temple could easily be undefeated, but was plagued by inconsistency in defeats to Maryland and Penn State. Both teams need a boost of confidence with a win.
Shining stars: USF: B.J. Daniels. The senior quarterback has been steady, but not spectacular. He hasn’t been helped by a revolving offensive line. The Bulls have rolled out four starting lineups in five games. OL Mark Popek, an Outland Trophy nominee, appeared at left guard in the Bulls’ first three games before shifting to left tackle in a Week 4 loss to Ball State. Popek returned to left guard in last week’s defeat vs. Florida State. Still, Daniels has managed to avoid sacks by making plays with his legs. The Owls rank 30th in FBS in sacks with 2.67 per game. Temple: Chris Coyer. Like Daniels, the Temple quarterback is adept at creating extra yards when scrambling. Coyer is second on the Owls in rushing yards with 197 and has averaged 4.6 yards per carry. The junior quarterback has also exhibited toughness. In the defeat to Maryland last month, Coyer threw touchdowns and rushed for 53 yards despite carrying a 101-degree fever.
Who could steal the show: South Florida: Andre Davis. The Bulls’ sophomore wide receiver was held to just one catch for three yards last week against the Seminoles. Nevertheless, South Florida coach Skip Holtz has been pleased with the rapport Davis has developed with Daniels. Late in the first half, Daniels targeted Davis deep downfield even though he was bracketed by Seminole defenders in double coverage. In Davis’ prior three games, he had 22 receptions for 296 yards and three touchdowns. After the loss of WR Sterling Griffin with a season-ending knee injury, Davis has become the Bulls' main deep threat. Davis has flashed his athleticism on several acrobatic catches. It’s no wonder his teammates refer to him as the "freak show.” Temple: Montel Harris. It’s a recurring theme, but the senior running back is still in search of a breakout game in an Owls uniform. Slowed by hamstring troubles, Harris has just 35 yards on the season on 2.3 yards per carry. It’s not what Owls fans expected out of the Boston College transfer, who departed Chestnut Hill as the school’s all-time leading rusher.
You going? Ranking the road trip: It should be a festive atmosphere in Philadelphia for homecoming. The game marks Temple’s first conference game in the Big East since the program was unceremoniously booted from the league in football after the 2004 season. The Owls re-joined the league in football in March. Forecasts call for temperatures in the high 60s, but clouds overhead at kickoff.
Magic number for USF: Minus-1.60. The Bulls have committed nine turnovers in their last three games and rank 113rd in FBS in turnover margin (minus-1.60 per game). South Florida must avoid turnovers against a Temple team that has the ability to chew up the clock on the ground.
Magic number for Temple: 32.5. The Owls rank 99th in FBS in third-down conversion percentage (32.5). Temple has not been much better at getting off the field, as it ranks 93rd in limiting third-down conversions (44.4 percent). Owls coach Steve Addazio responded by running a host of competitive third-down drills during the bye week when the first-team offense faced the starters on defense.
The game comes down to: Execution. Both teams have loads of talent on offense, but haven’t executed at times. Temple may be able to get its run game going against a Bulls’ rushing defense that’s allowed 165.00 yards per game. South Florida has moved the ball effectively when it hasn’t committed turnovers in bunches. Expect the game to be close throughout.
Prediction: South Florida 27, Temple 23.
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