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On Paper, A Total Mismatch For USF

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By BRETT McMURPHY

bmcmurphy@tampatrib.com

Published: October 18, 2008

TAMPA - Matt Grothe has brought the "Grohawk" out of retirement. Defensive leaders Brouce Mompremier and George Selvie are back in the starting lineup for the University of South Florida.

It seems just like old times for the Bulls.

OK, so Grothe's new (old) 'do is only a year old, but there's another similarity to last season when USF faces Syracuse today: The Bulls are coming off a disappointing five-point home loss.

Last season, the Bulls pounded Syracuse, 41-10, after a 38-33 loss to Cincinnati. This year, the Bulls have had 16 days to stew since losing to Pittsburgh, 26-21.

"Everyone is ready to get back on the field," Grothe said. "It's been such a long time since we played, and even longer since we've won a game."

At noon (WFTS, Ch. 28), No. 19 USF (5-1, 0-1 Big East) hosts Syracuse (1-5, 0-2). It's the Bulls' homecoming and, boy, have the Bulls scheduled the perfect homecoming opponent.

The Orange rank last in the Big East in total offense, rushing defense, total defense and scoring defense and second-to-last in passing offense, scoring offense and passing defense. Nationally, SU ranks among the 15 worst teams in passing offense, total offense, scoring offense, rushing defense, total defense and scoring defense.

The Orange have lost nine consecutive games against Division I-A opponents, and Syracuse is 2-21 in Big East play under Coach Greg Robinson.

In the three previous meetings with Syracuse, the Bulls have dominated. Syracuse has led for exactly 4 minutes, 12 seconds of the 180 minutes, and USF has exceeded 500 yards in offense in the past two meetings, including a school-record 582 last season.

"We've had good game plans going into them," Grothe said. "I thought we could hit some stuff, and we were able to do that. Last year started off well, and we kept it going into the second half.

"We know we can move the ball on anybody, but it's just a matter of if we're going to take care of the ball and come out with the attitude we're going to do it. If we do, then we have a good chance to put up a good amount of points and help out our defense."

The Bulls own the Big East's top offense and rank 25th nationally, but USF coach Jim Leavitt said the offense has been inconsistent.

"We've been inconsistent a little bit," Leavitt said. "At times we've done extremely well, I've been really, really happy. We sure played awfully good against N.C. State 520 yards and then struggled against Pittsburgh 245 yards. At times, we've done very well. I've been, overall, pretty happy with how they've played."

Grothe agreed the Bulls have had mixed results.

"At times we've done well, at times we haven't," said Grothe, who leads Big East quarterbacks in total offense. "I don't think we've put ourselves in the best situation. It's not always about scoring points, but helping the defense out.

"At times throughout the year, we've put our defense in some bad situations and dug us even more of a hole."

Mompremier, a senior linebacker, and Selvie, a junior defensive end, return to the starting lineup after both were injured Sept. 20 at Florida International.

"Nobody had run on us until we played Pittsburgh," said Selvie, who was limited against Pitt with a high ankle sprain. "I thought we did pretty good before, now we've got everyone healthy. We should be great again and do what we did the first part of the season."

SYRACUSE (1-5, 0-2 BIG EAST) AT NO. 19 USF (5-1, 0-1)

KICKOFF: Noon, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa

TV/RADIO: WTFS, Ch. 28/WFLA, 970 AM; WQBN, 1300 AM

AT STAKE
With the Orange off next week, this could be the most critical game of Syracuse coach Greg Robinson's career. A lopsided loss could seal Robinson's fate, while an upset would do wonders for his future.

KEY STAT
Syracuse is the only team USF has had at least 500 yards of offense against in consecutive seasons. Last year, USF had a school-record 582 yards. In 2006, USF had 514 yards, which ranks 11th on the Bulls' all-time list.

KEEP AN EYE ON
USF - In its first four games, USF allowed only five completions longer than 25 yards. In the last two games, however, the Bulls have allowed seven longer than 36 yards. Syracuse is averaging only 143 passing yards a game, so it's doubtful the Orange will have much success with the deep ball.
Syracuse - After being held to 21 rushing yards against Penn State, senior RB Curtis Brinkley has averaged 137 yards in the Orange's past three games. After seeing the success Pitt had running the ball against USF, Brinkley should get plenty of opportunities.

INJURY UPDATE
USF - RG Mark Hermann (foot) and WR Theo Wilson (knee) are out.
Syracuse - RB Delone Carter (hamstring) is questionable; RB Doug Hogue (ankle) is probable.

KEY MATCHUP
In its last game, USF's defense was shredded for 142 rushing yards by Pitt's LeSean McCoy. But with DE George Selvie, who was named a semifinalist for the Lombardi Award, and LB Brouce Mompremier back in the starting lineup after injuries, the Bulls hope to fare better against SU workhorse Curtis Brinkley.

PREDICTION
South Florida 34, Syracuse 17

Reporter Brett McMurphy can be reached at (813) 259-7928.

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