South Florida Bulls: Big East Prep Time Almost Over

So little time, so many flaws.

Make no mistake about it, the Big East season begins next week and South Florida has a way to go if it hopes to make any kind of run in the league.

The biggest need for improvement is obvious. Quarterback B.J. Daniels needs to get a lot better with his decision making.

No need to say anything here. ESPN's Big East blogger Brian Bennett this week named Daniels as one of the Big East's most disappointing players thus far.

Bennett wrote this week:

"South Florida quarterback B.J. Daniels is just a red-shirt sophomore adjusting to a new coaching staff. But after playing most of last season, he should have shown better decision making. His four interceptions against Florida were inexcusable and many came on throws that he should know not to make. He had another interception against Western Kentucky before Skip Holtz basically decided to shut down the passing game."

Bennett's observation was accurate. The question that arises from it is: Does Skip Holtz really trust B.J. Daniels' decision making?

That answer is probably not.

Perhaps the return of receivers Dontavia Bogan and Sterling Griffin will help Daniels, but it has become obvious that Big East opponents will want to turn up the pressure on B.J. and see if he still has a propensity to throw picks.

USF gets its final "tuneup" game at home this Saturday against Florida Atlantic. It's a game USF should win and should win easily. But that was the thought going into last week's game against Western Kentucky, a team that has lost 24 straight. USF struggled in that game, where it was a 27-point favorite.

The good news on the offensive side of the football is that Demetrius Murray is emerging as a reliable runner. The Bulls will need a lot from him in Big East play if they hope to succeed.

Terrence Mitchell has stepped up in the punt return game. His play against Western Kentucky earned him Big East honors as special teams player of the week.

What has also been disturbing to Holtz is that his team is not getting turnovers on defense. The defense has been solid, but what's it going to look like when the Bulls begin picking on teams their own size in the Big East?

Let's face it, this is not a stellar year in the Big East. Right now West Virginia looks like the team to beat and then there's "all you others" and USF is one of them.

The Bulls will find out where they stand when they face the new and improved Syracuse at homecoming next week.

Syracuse is rebuilding, so is USF.

The start of the Big East conference for both schools is a must win for both.

If USF can't beat the Orange, then there will be no need for fear of another November collapse.