South Florida Bulls Will Start Under the Radar

The Skip Holtz goodwill tour is over.

A new season, a new regime, a new look, a new attitude is what Lou's son has brought to this University of South Florida program that experienced turmoil last year like it had never seen.

Holtz has put a great master plan into effect. The state of USF football is not unlike the scene at the South Florida athletic fields on campus. There are huge piles of dirt, heavy equipment and the excitement of what things will look like when all the building is done.

That's pretty much the way it is with the Bulls this season.

It all starts at home against Stony Brook on Saturday and unless something goes dreadfully wrong, USF will get its first win of the Skip Holtz era. After that, it will get its first reality check of the Skip Holtz era.

Here's a quick breakdown of the schedule and perhaps what you can expect:

Sept. 4: Stony Brook:

These were the type of teams Jim Leavitt feasted on. He fattened his record on them.

At East Carolina, Holtz welcomed challenges, sought to play tough teams early. The Pirates under Holtz beat Virginia Tech in their 2008 opener then beat West Virginia the second week.

Last year they opened against Applachian State, then played West Virginia and UNC.  Skip Holtz will improve USF's schedule in years to come but will take this opening win against the Brook.

Sept. 11: at Florida:

This will be USF's "reality check."

Hopefully the team can survive the Swamp without any major injuries. USF is not in Florida's league, although Holtz would add "yet" to that statement.

Sept. 25: Western Kentucky:

The Bulls improve their record to 2-1.

Oct. 2:  Florida Atlantic:

The Bulls win their second straight, their third in four games.

Oct. 9: Syracuse:

The first Big East test for USF. Great measuring stick. Doug Marrone is rebuilding at Syracuse, low expectations. Must win for USF as the Bulls were picked ahead of the Orange in the preseason.

Oct. 14: at West Virginia:

Thursday night game. Sorry, Mountaineers will prove too strong and Noel Devine too much of a challenge.

Oct. 22: at Cincinnati:

Great opportunity to go against an experienced quarterback in Zach Collaros. Call it a stretch, but USF might fare quite well against the Bear Cats.

Nov. 2:  Rutgers:

Nice chance for a home win. Rutgers has proven very tough for USF and will be favored in this game as well.

Nov. 13: at Louisville:

A must win. Holtz has to prove this team is farther along that Louisville, the worst team in the Big East last season.

Nov. 20: Pittsburgh:

Too many weapons for the Panthers. Jonathan Baldwin's too good a receiver, Dion Lewis is too shifty. This is Pitt's year. Greg Romeus has a big day on defense.

Nov. 27: at Miami:

Not this year.

Dec. 4: Connecticut:

This could be the game that gets USF in or out of a bowl game. Huge challenge, UConn is very good, very solid this year.

How will the Bulls fare with this schedule?

Preseason experts have them 6-6, some have them 7-5. It's so very hard to tell. This team cannot afford injuries and that will tell the tale in the long run.

So what does it add up to? Lasts year in the Big East, USF finished ahead of Louisville and Syracuse and behind everyone else.

Have them 6-5 heading into that final game of the 2010 regular season, at home against UConn.

You make the last call.