Projecting The Preseason Top 25: Did The Hawkeyes Make The Cut?
By Dan Vasta
18) South Florida Bulls
Key Player: QB Quinton Flowers
What a year Mr. Flowers put together as he totaled 42 touchdowns last season and after losing RB Marlon Mack, Flowers will be asked to do even more. Similar skills to Lamar Jackson, Flowers is likely a lock to reach 40-plus touchdowns yet again and you have to factor in the Bulls winning more games too. A true dark horse for the Heisman, USF will light up the scoreboard this season thanks to their star signal-caller.
Key Stat:
Starting out in the FBS as an Independent in 2000, USF has only finished a season in the top 25 once. It was last season, so it begs the question if the Bulls will be ranked in the preseason?
Only once before has USF started out a season ranked in the AP Top 25 and it was in 2008.
Key Game: 9/15 Illinois
Laugh all you want, but this is the game where the Bulls can make a major statement on national television on a Friday night. The early November meeting with Houston could decide their NY-6 fate before they likely head into the conference title game, but this early season matchup against a power five squad is worth keeping an eye on. USF can hang 50 on the board if they want to and its possible Quinton Flowers has 20-plus touchdowns on the season by the time this one is over.