Game Thread: The Citadel Bulldogs at South Florida Bulls

WHO: The Citadel (0-0) at South Florida Bulls (0-0)

WHERE: Raymond James Stadium (65,857); Tampa, FL

WHEN: 7 p.m.

TV/RADIO: ESPNU; 1250 AM, Bulls Unlimited iHeart Radio

SERIES: Series tied 1-1. Last meeting USF won 45-6 in 1998

LINE: USF -17; Over/Under 54.5

Seth’s Film Breakdown; The Bulluminati Podcast; TDS Group

Well, folks, the 2020 season is finally upon us. Who would’ve thought we’d get this far back in March?

The Jeff Scott era is here, and the Bulls will face The Citadel, a triple option based offense. With a 15% chance of rain at kickoff [so in Tampa, that’s a 100% chance of rain], things could get mucky early and often.

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Jordan McCloud won the starting job for this week, and he’ll look to prove the doubters wrong after last year’s disappointing season. He’ll have new weapons to work with at each skill position, including running back Darrian Felix (Oregon), wide receiver Latrell Williams (sat out 2019 due to transfer rules), and tight end Mitchell Brinkman (Northern Illinois).

Up front, the right side of the offensive line has been revamped with the departures of Billy Atterbury, and Marcus Norman. In their place, senior Michael Wiggs, and Jarrett Hopple will take over at right guard and right tackle, respectively.

The Bulls defense will need to figure out how to contain the triple option offense, while also figuring out their defensive line rotation. USF lacks in experience, and production along the line. The Bulldogs scored 31 rushing touchdowns in 2019, and only two were for longer than 10 yards. It’s death by a thousand paper cuts, and the Bulls must force negative plays on first and second down to have success.

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