Rutgers University will try to end a two-game losing streak Saturday as it host the University of South Florida in a Big East Conference contest at High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway, NJ. The Scarlet Knights (5-3, 2-2 Big East) are trying to become bowl eligible, while the Bulls (4-3, 0-3) are trying to snap a three-game Big East skid.
If you're a Rutgers football fan and don't know much about USF, here's a brief scouting report:
Head Coach
Skip Holtz, the son of legendary head coach Lou Holtz, is currently in his second season at USF. Last season, the Bulls compiled their fifth consecutive eight-win season and defeated Clemson University, 31-26, in the Meineke
Car Care Bowl in Charlotte, NC.
This Season
The Bulls began the year like a house on fire. In Week 1, USF knocked off the University of Notre Dame, 23-20, and then strung together three more victories. The four-game winning streak allowed the Bulls to sneak into the top 25 rankings, however, the national attention was short lived.
The following week, USF lost at the University of Pittsburgh, 44-17, and then to the University of Connecticut, 16-10. A week later, the Bulls were edged by the University of Cincinnati, 37-34, in the final seconds.
Needless to say, USF will be coming off a bye week and hungry for a victory.
Offense
Junior quarterback B.J. Daniels leads the Bulls offense. Daniels is a duel threat as he runs it just as well as he can pass it. Last week, Daniels tossed for 409 yards in the loss to Cincy and also ran for a touchdown. Daniels is ranked second in the conference with 266.71 passing yards per game and has ran for a touchdown in the Bulls' last five games. Wide receiver Sterling Griffin, who is ranked third in the league with 5.71 catches per game, is Daniels' favorite target.
USF's offense, which is second in the league in both passing (282.12 yards per game) and rushing (196.71), is explosive, but has a tendency of turning the ball over (15). Daniels also has been sacked nine times this season (second highest in the league).
Defense
Once the strongest aspect of the USF football program, the Bulls have been inconsistent on defense this year. Currently, the Bulls are getting after the opponents quarterback (2.39 sacks per game), but they're allowing 124.48-rushing yards per game.
The Bulls have been giving up 23.6 points and 362.3 yards per game. Those numbers are in the middle of the Big East pack.
Conclusion
USF is talented and has a lot of athletes, but if the Rutgers defense can get after Daniels and limit the big plays, the Scarlet Knights have a good chance to win.