South Florida (5-3)

The Bulls were one two-point conversion from taking No. 15 Rutgers to overtime back in September. Since the Scarlet Knights have yet to lose all season, it would appear USF’s Matt Grothe-led squad could be on its way toward duplicating its Meineke Car Bowl trip from last season.

Then again, Cincinnati tamed South Florida in its last game, 23-6. Cincinnati scored a safety in the first quarter and held a 2-0 lead at the half of a miserably-played game. Grothe threw for only 47 yards – including an 11-yard touchdown with 50 seconds left – against a 5-4 team with 21 freshmen and sophomores.

So, USF could be as big a mystery as Syracuse. The game against the Bearcats was played in 45-degree weather, the second-coldest game in USF history. Therefore, another ugly but winnable game for either team could be in order for two teams not accustomed to poor elements.

Schedule

Opponent Score

vs. McNeese State W 41-10

vs. Fla. International W 21-20

at Central Florida W 24-17

at Kansas L 7-13

Rutgers L 20-22

vs. UConn W 38-16

at North Carolina W 37-20

at Cincinnati L 6-23

Passing C-A Yds. TD-Int.

Grothe 115-186 1435 9-8

Rushing Rush-Yds. Avg. TD

Grothe 113-482 4.3 7

Receiving Rec.-Yds. Avg. TD

Randolph 29-320 11.0 3

Connecticut (3-5)

The Huskies are trying to change the lasting image of their 2006 season after five players were kicked off the team earlier this month for bringing beer into the team hotel in South Florida. That wasn’t much worse, though, considering the program has still not taken off since earning Division I status in 2000.

Aside from a 52-point outburst against Division I-AA Rhode Island in the season opener, UConn has averaged only 15 points per game in 2006. Matt Bonislawski took over in the Huskies’ 26-7 win over Syracuse last October but still remains without much grasp of the offense.

UConn did return the focus to football by pulling a South Florida and nearly defeating undefeated Rutgers before falling, 23-14, on Sunday night. Running back Donald Brown scored on a 65-yard touchdown. SU stands a solid chance at victory if the defense does not permit any more long runs.

Schedule

Opponent Score

vs. Rhode Island W 52-7

vs. Wake Forest L 13-24

at Indiana W 14-7

vs. Navy L 17-41

at South Florida L 16-38

vs. Army W 21-7

vs. West Virginia L 11-37

at Rutgers L 13-24

Passing C-A Yds. TD-Int.

Bonislawski 53-118 574 3-2

Rushing Rush-Yds. Avg. TD

Caulley 112-623 5.6 2

Receiving Rec.-Yds. Avg. TD

Young 14-205 14.6 2

Rutgers (8-0)

Yes, the Scarlet Knights have played only one tough team all season – Pittsburgh. But they haven’t even slipped up once. Fullback Brian Leonard started the season with a Heisman hopeful Web site and has since ceded the possibility of candidacy to running back Ray Rice.

Rice rushed for his lowest total all season in Sunday night’s 23-14 win over Connecticut with only 79 yards. But his quick, against-the-grain style could burn Syracuse. Rutgers needs the ground game considering sophomore Mike Teel is the quarterback of the No. 15 team in the nation with only six touchdown passes against eight interceptions.

The real reason for the Scarlet Knights’ success, however, is the defense. Rutgers has recorded two shutouts and only allowed 73 points all season, less than 10 per game. That alone should make Rutgers feel confident – it may be facing a Syracuse offense looking toward 2007.

Schedule

Opponent Score

at North Carolina W 21-16

Illinois W 33-0

Ohio W 24-7

Howard W 56-7

at South Florida W 22-20

at Navy W 34-0

at Pittsburgh W 20-10

vs. UConn W 24-13

Passing C-A Yds. TD-Int.

Teel 90-164 1016 6-8

Rushing Rush-Yds. Avg TD

Rice 223-1203 5.4 13

Receiving Rec.-Yds Avg. TD

Harris 19-247 13.0 2

Published on October 30, 2006 at 12:00 pm