Kansas (2-0) at South Florida (2-0), 8:00 EST ESPN2 Friday, September 12
Why to watch: ESPN2? ESPN2?! This is a BCS-caliber showdown worthy of an Orange Bowl, but it’s an afterthought on a huge weekend of games. This will be one of the big bragging right games for two conferences and two teams looking to prove that last year wasn’t a fluke. The Big East desperately needs something positive to go its way after a nightmare of a start to the 2008 season, and a win over Kansas in a super-charged atmosphere would do it. USF wasn’t sharp and almost lost to a vastly inferior UCF team in overtime last week, but came through with a touchdown pass to take the lead and a hold to end the fun. Next week the Bulls go back into cupcake-land with a date with FIU, who lost to KU to start the season, 40-10. Kansas came up with a good win over Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl, but there’s still a sense of skepticism around Mark Mangino’s club. It had one other big test last year, Missouri, and lost. However, if the Jayhawks go into Tampa and come out alive, they should end up going 6-0 before a road trip to Oklahoma.
Why Kansas might win: This is a brutally efficient team leads the nation in pass efficiency defense and has allowed just 406 total yards of offense and no touchdowns. The one touchdown given up came on a punt return against FIU. Meanwhile, the offense has gone back to last year as Todd Reesing has been ultra-efficient. South Florida has an aggressive, tough defense, but it hasn’t shown it yet this year when it comes to getting into the backfield.
Why South Florida might win: The USF run defense has been a brick wall so far, and KU is still trying to figure out its running back situation. The Bulls would’ve beaten UCF with ease last week if they were focused and didn’t turn the ball over twice. Matt Grothe has the offense humming with a nice balance; the team isn’t just about defense like it was at times last year.
Who to watch: This game is on the two star quarterbacks. Grothe was brilliant against UCF, outside of the two interceptions. The junior threw for 346 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 54 yards, and threw a nice ball on the game-winning score. Meanwhile, Reesing has thrown for 668 yards and six touchdowns with an interception in his first two games. He’s a steady junior leader who can’t get rattled when the Bull defense starts swarming.
What will happen: South Florida will have the emotion and the fire, but Kansas will have the execution. It’ll be a hard-hitting battle with several big plays and lots of points, but KU will win the battle of the two star quarterbacks.
CFN Prediction: Kansas 27 … South Florida 24 ... Line: USF -3
I TOLD YOU BOYS! Vegas is giving out free money! Bet on the Hawks today and cash in with me! However, I think the line is now USF by 2. I made my bet on Tuesday when it was USF by 3.5.
KU will win by 13. Free money boy!! Get it while it lasts!!! Linemakers error!!!
:koolaid2: