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Louisville's Brohm Will Put USF's Defense To The Test

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By BRETT McMURPHY, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 17, 2007

Updated: 11/17/2007 12:47 am

TAMPA - College football's latest fad - the spread offense - is, well, spreading throughout the country.

And with more and more schools utilizing the offense to try to create mismatches, fewer teams are using the traditional drop-back passing attacks.

"A lot of teams are going to the spread offense to even up the playing field," Louisville senior quarterback Brian Brohm said. "You see a lot more different styles in college football these days. You see a lot of variations.

"There's still a few drop-back guys. It will never die out."

Drop-back quarterbacks don't necessarily have the same future as the dinosaur, but the good ones are becoming even rarer - and more valuable to NFL teams.

Brohm is, simply, one of the best.

He's projected as a certain first-round NFL draft pick and rated as the sixth-best draft prospect by ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr.

"He's gotten better," University of South Florida coach Jim Leavitt said. "I know that's hard to believe. His precision with his throws, the way he moves in the pocket, there's no doubt in my mind he's ready for the NFL and no doubt he'll be one of the top picks and be very successful.

"He is that good. It's a great challenge for our defense."

The Bulls (7-3, 2-3 Big East) host Louisville (5-5, 2-3) at 8 tonight. USF is looking to continue the home-team dominance in the series in which the host school is 4-0.

The contest will pair two of the Big East's best - and totally different - quarterbacks in Brohm and USF's Matt Grothe. Brohm ranks third nationally in yards passing per game and fifth in total offense, while Grothe is second behind Brohm in the Big East in total offense.

Grothe also is second in the Big East in rushing yards for quarterbacks behind West Virginia's Pat White, who also operates in a spread offense.

"I know Brohm's a pretty dang good quarterback," Grothe said. "It will be fun playing against him. Me and Brian are completely different football players."

USF defensive line coach Dan McCarney, who spent 24 years in the Big Ten and 12 seasons in the Big 12 before coming to Tampa, said he has seen a few quarterbacks through the years.

"Brohm is as good as anyone I've coached against," McCarney said. "It's not just his arm strength, but he has good feet, he's real effective.

"A great quarterback is as tough as anyone on the football team. He's hard to get to, has great vision. I'm really impressed."

Brohm also is impressed with USF's defense, especially sophomore defensive end George Selvie.

"He has a lot of speed and great pass-rushing ability. It will be a good matchup between him and junior left tackle George Bussey. Overall, USF's defense is fast, they get to you fast," Brohm said.

With Brohm averaging 41 attempts a game, Selvie will get plenty of opportunities to get two tackles for loss and break the NCAA's single-season record of 32. But Selvie knows it won't be easy.

"As soon as he sees someone, he's going to throw it," Selvie said. "He has that quick release. He's so accurate. If we don't get pressure on him, he'll pick us apart."

Louisville (5-5, 2-3 Big East) at South Florida (7-3, 2-3)

KICKOFF: 8 p.m.; Tampa

TV/RADIO: ESPNU/WFLA, 970 AM

THE LINE: USF by 8 1/2

KEEP AN EYE ON
Louisville - This will be senior QB Brian Brohm's final college game at Raymond James Stadium. The likely first-round NFL pick is completing 67 percent of his passes and averaging 357 yards per game, third-best in the nation.

USF - With G Matt Huners and T Walt Walker returning from knee injuries and joining Marc Dile, Ryan Schmidt, Jake Griffin, Zach Hermann, Jared Carnes and Nick Capogna, the Bulls' offensive line should be at full strength and looks to manhandle a thin Louisville front.

KEY STAT
Louisville - At 5-5, the Cardinals have as many losses as former coach Bobby Petrino did in his final three seasons (31-5).

USF - Sophomore DE George Selvie has 1461/27 sacks this season. Louisville's entire team has 15.

INJURY UPDATE
Louisville - CB Rod Council (suspension) and DE Peanut Whitehead (knee) are out.

USF - WR Amarri Jackson (knee) is out. DT Aaron Harris (ankle) is doubtful.

AT STAKE
Louisville - The Cardinals have been to nine consecutive bowl games. They must win tonight or next week against Rutgers to have any chance to extend that streak to 10.
USF - If the Bulls want to finish the season ranked in the Top 25, they can't afford another loss.

KEY MATCHUPS
When Louisville has the ball - With the Cards averaging only 74 yards rushing and 2.5 yards per carry in their past five games, QB Brian Brohm will be asked to carry Louisville's offense - again. All-Big East LT George Bussey, a former walk-on, gets the unenviable task of trying to slow down Bulls DE George Selvie.

When USF has the ball - Was last week's rushing success at Syracuse a one-week wonder or a new commitment to the run? RBs Mike Ford, Aston Samuels and Ben Williams should be able to take advantage of a Cards defense allowing 4.4 yards per carry.

PREDICTION
Florida may be the Sunshine State, but it has been dark and dreary for Louisville. In the Cardinals' 19 games at USF, Florida, Florida State or Miami, they are 1-17-1. USF will recognize 15 seniors on the Bulls' Senior Night. Louisville QB Brian Brohm is dangerous, but a balanced USF offense should dominate a reeling Louisville defense, down to about two dozen healthy bodies. The final nail in UL's coffin: USF has better coaching and special teams.

Score: USF 41, Louisville 24

Reporter Brett McMurphy can be reached at (813) 259-7928 or bmcmurphy@tampatrib.com.

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