South Florida Bulls Face Double Whammy: Rutgers and Thursday Night

He's had extra time to prepare, and his team broke the slide two weeks ago against West Virginia.

So how's Jim Leavitt's mood as he prepares his team to face Rutgers on national television Thursday night?

"He's fired up!" said an observer from deep within the USF coaching complex.

Leavitt should be. He needs to be, and he better have his team firing on all cylinders this week. He has the task of overcoming the USF "double whammy."

The first whammy is Rutgers.

The Scarlet Knights have owned USF the past three years. Last season was especially embarrassing as the Bulls got blown out at home, 49-16.

The second whammy is Thursday night.

If it's Thursday night and the game is on ESPN, the Bulls are sucking wind. At least that's the way it's been recently.

So here they are again, at Rutgers on Thursday night for a 7:30 national telecast on ESPN.

Perhaps this year will be different.

Both teams are 6-2, yet one can step up a notch in the Big East.

Realistically, the fight for the top is between Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. Those teams, by their performances, have separated themselves from the rest of the Big East.

The next spot available is third.

Winner of this game takes a step forward, the loser a step back.

This year's version of Greg Schiano's team has a freshman quarterback, Tom Savage. He's big (6'5", 235) and is a pocket passer. His success will be determined by his offensive line and its ability to block USF's fast and furious defensive front.

Unlike other teams, the Rutgers ground game is based on a power back—Joe Martinek—rather than a speed back.

Defensively Rutgers has proven vulnerable at times, which should be good news for USF quarterback B.J. Daniels. Daniels, however, will be without his go-to receiver, Carlton Mitchell. Mitchell is sidelined by a high ankle sprain.

So if it's Tuesday in Tampa, it must be Thursday. With the game a little more than 48 hours away, that's the way preparation shakes out.

So of course, Leavitt is fired up.

Tell us something we don't know.