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Preview: Tennessee-Martin At No. 19 South Florida

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 30, 2008

At Stake

The No. 19 Bulls have their first preseason ranking. To earn their first ranking entering Week 2, the Bulls can't lose. Actually, they probably need a fairly comfortable win to keep from dropping in the rankings.

Keep An Eye On:

USF - Jerome Murphy and Tyller Roberts, more commonly referred to as the guys who have to replace NFL draft picks Mike Jenkins and Trae Williams, make their first starts together at cornerback. Their first test is UT-M junior QB Cade Thompson, a South Carolina transfer, who threw for 1,034 yards and eight TDs last season.

UT-M - The Skyhawks' offense returns eight starters from a team that closed last season with three wins, averaging 58 points in those contests. They face a USF defense with seven returning starters that allowed 56 points in the Sun Bowl.

Key Stat

The Bulls have won 17 consecutive games against Football Championship Subdivision (I-AA) teams since losing to Hofstra 42-23 in 1999. USF also is 11-0 all-time in home openers.

Injury Update

USF - WR Colby Erskin (knee) is out.

UT-M - None reported.

Key Matchup

In last year's opener against Elon, USF DE George Selvie had a school-record four sacks. Tonight, USF's first consensus All-American faces two freshman left tackles. Starter Rodney Irvin's career ambition is to become a police officer and a detective. But it won't take Sherlock Holmes to figure out that Irvin is going to need serious help against Selvie or he might match last year's record night.

PREDICTION

South Florida 42, UT-M 10

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