CFB - West Virginia at South Florida (8:00E ESPN2)
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2007-09-28
Two of the frontrunners in the Big East Conference will go head-to-head to open their league schedules, with the winner taking a huge step towards a possible BCS-berth. In this Friday night showdown, West Virginia is about a touchdown favorite at South Florida.
The acronyms BCS and USF aren’t used too often in the same sentence, but the Bulls have been mighty impressive to open the ’07 campaign. After routing North Carolina on Saturday, they are 3-0 SU & 2-0 ATS and have covered nine of their L11 overall. West Virginia is already 4-0 and scoring 47.3 PPG. The Mountaineers ground game will be a huge test for South Florida’s defense. However, USF won last year’s game, 24-19 on the road, holding WVU to a season-low 132 yards rushing. The Bulls are on a 5-1 ATS run at home, while the ‘neers are 13-4 ATS as road chalk under Rich Rodriguez.
West Virginia heads into treacherous territory to take on South Florida. Last season the Mountaineers lost to the Bulls 24-19 as 21-point home favorites, as quarterback Pat White did not play because of injury. Nonetheless, South Florida dictated the play and already has won at Auburn this season. Many believe West Virginia’s success is based upon two players and that could not be further from the truth. While White and running back Steve Slaton deserve props, wide receiver Darius Reynaud and fullback Owen Schmitt will be on some NFL roster next season. This veteran cast is supported by a youthful but talented offensive line and freshman Noel Devine ran for 136 yards in five carries on Thursday tilt on ESPN two weeks ago. These weekday games really agree with West Virginia who is 12-2 ATS playing weekday contests.
As the Auburn game proved, coach Jim Leavitt’s club can match athletes on the field on both sides of the ball. Having the ability to play in the Big East further enhanced recruiting from fertile Florida high schools. Matt Grothe, though just a sophomore, plays with maturity far beyond his years after being thrown into the fire a season ago. His play-making ability is reminiscent of Doug Flutie, meaning he finds a way to have success. The defense has bountiful speed and rangy free safety Nate Allen was a FWAA/Bronco Nagurski defensive player of the week for his performance against Auburn.
With South Florida the sizeable home underdog against highly ranked West Virginia, the Bulls are 1-6 ATS when catching 14 or less points off back to back wins. USF kept the ‘Teers off balance last year with game plan that featured a nice balance of running and passing. The idea this time is to confuse a defensive backfield that can be beaten. West Virginia won’t take the Bulls lightly this time and having White under center is big difference.
Prediction – West Virginia by 6