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Leavitt Expects Tight Contest

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By BRETT McMURPHY

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 19, 2008

MIAMI - Don't bother telling University of South Florida coach Jim Leavitt his No. 12-ranked Bulls are prohibitive favorites at Florida International today.

Don't even mention FIU has lost 25 of its last 26 games and is generally regarded as the worst team in college football. And please, for the love of God, don't ask Leavitt what FIU's mind-set might be as an underdog.

Leavitt doesn't want to hear any of it.

"I don't read the paper, I don't follow the news," Leavitt said. "To me, that's distractions. I understand this team FIU has a chance to win, just like we do. If we're not prepared, we have problems. Our guys understand that. We played them at our place in 2006 and won 21-20.

"They have a much better team now. And we're going to their place, they've had two weeks to prepare and they're opening a new stadium.

"I don't think there are too many people, if they really know football, and really know the situation and really understand the world, they understand this is going to come down to the end of the game. It is going to be that tight of a game. I've said that before and people don't believe me. I'm telling you, the emotions will be high."

Still not sold?

"Every game," Leavitt said, "is like the freaking Super Bowl."

Welcome to Super Bowl IV, when the Bulls (3-0) visit FIU (0-2) at 5 p.m. (ESPNU). Well, Leavitt could be right about the Super Bowl aspect - most of those are routs, and USF is a 281/2-point favorite.

It wasn't too long ago that the Bulls were frequently the big underdogs.

Since moving to Division I-A in 2001, the Bulls have been at least a 20-point underdog seven times. However, the Bulls pulled off the upset three times: at Pittsburgh (2001), against Louisville (2005) and at West Virginia (2006).

"Four years ago we were in their situation, trying to pull upsets on other teams," USF defensive end George Selvie said. "They want to get upsets, that's how you rise, you beat teams that are above you."

While the Bulls have pulled some big upsets in the past, they have yet to be a big upset victim, winning all five games since 2001 when they've been favored by at least 17 points.

"Assistant Coach Larry Scott said we need to come out and take care of business," USF quarterback Matt Grothe said. "The great teams, when they're supposed to win, they win. When everyone has them winning, they win, they don't struggle. That's what we have to do this week."

Grothe said the longer the Golden Panthers hang around, the tougher it will be.

"They'll come out and play the best they've played this year, since we're opening up their stadium," Grothe said. "It will be sold out and they'll be hyped up. We need to take some life out of them early and set the tone. Make them say, 'We can't play with these guys,' instead of 'We can play with these guys.'"

USF linebacker Tyrone McKenzie said FIU is especially dangerous because "they have nothing to lose."

In losses to Iowa and Kansas, FIU has not had a running play longer than 14 yards or a passing play longer than 22. The Golden Panthers' offense has yet to score a touchdown and has run only three plays inside the opponents' 20.

Of the NCAA's major team statistical categories, FIU ranks among the nation's 25 worst teams in 14 of the 17, including dead last in total offense, scoring offense, pass-efficiency defense and sacks allowed.

FAN CONDUCT: The Tampa Sports Authority and USF on Friday announced a series of stricter initiatives to for fans attending future games at Raymond James Stadium.

The new guidelines are in response to numerous complaints of abusive, profanity-laced verbal attacks and intimidation of Kansas fans by USF fans before, during and after USF's game with the Jayhawks on Sept. 12.

Among the changes: parking lots will only be opened four hours before kickoff (one less hour than before) for tailgating and kegs or "large vessels" containing alcohol will be prohibited and confiscated in the parking lots; inside RJS, fans will be ejected for using profanity and offensive language.

No. 12 SOUTH FLORIDA (3-0) AT FIU (0-2)

At Stake

The Big East's last hope for respectability? USF appears to be the final chance for the Big East to have a contender in the national title race, and the Bulls must carry the conference torch the rest of the way. Anything closer than a three-TD margin today could drop the Bulls a few pegs from their No. 12 ranking.

Keep An Eye On:

USF - Offensive coordinator Greg Gregory is probably salivating over facing a defense that allowed 4.8 yards per carry against Iowa and Kansas. Expect RBs Jamar Taylor, Moise Plancher and Richard Kelly to get plenty of carries, as well as RBs Ben Williams and Mike Ford if they are completely recovered from ankle injuries suffered in the season opener.

FIU - Led by T.Y. Hilton, the Golden Panthers rank second nationally in punt returns (averaging 32 yards on three returns). The only question is how often FIU's defense can force USF to punt.

Key Stat

For the first time ever, USF is favored by more than four TDs against a Division I-A program. This is the sixth time since 2001 that USF is at least a 17-point favorite. The Bulls won the previous five games by an average of 13.2 points.

Injury Update

USF - RG Mark Hermann (foot), NT Sampson Genus (ankle), WR Colby Erskin (knee), CB Tyson Butler (ankle) are out; DT Aaron Harris (ankle) and RB Mike Ford are questionable.

FIU - DE Cody Pellicer (hand), DT Curtis Bryant (hand), OL Andy Leavine (foot) are out; OL Mario Caraballo (foot) is questionable.

Key Matchup

USF vs. USF - The Bulls must guard against a natural letdown after last week's big win against Kansas and avoid overlooking an inferior opponent. The Golden Panthers are one of the nation's worst teams, and the Bulls must do their best to keep from sleep-walking through today's game and letting FIU stay in the game.

PREDICTION

USF 38, FIU 13

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

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