South Florida was always the little program that could starting from scratch ten years ago and working its way up to become a major factor in the Big East. 

Getting the second-tier Florida players who don't go off to the big schools (only seven players on the roster aren't from the Sunshine State), USF is able to turn speed and athleticism into production. A defense that can move, when properly coached, can do big things, and that's where the Bulls will be able to rock; they can run with anyone.

You've probably never heard of the USF starting linebacking trio of Stephen Nicholas, Ben Moffitt and Pat St. Louis, but it's one of the best in America. The corners can fly, the safeties can fly, and the reserves can fly. In a league that's offensively challenged outside of the top tier teams, USF's speed will go a long way.

However, the offense hasn't quite been able to find its stride quite yet, but that's coming. In what might be the biggest key to the Big East season, the USF no huddle spread offense looks to be more effective with either rising star Carlton Hill or veteran Pat Julmiste needing to use their speed to run the attack more effectively. The defense will finish among the top 20, so if the offense can be more effective than last year when it manufactured points against Louisville but did little against anyone else of substance, a Big East title (don't sneer) is an attainable goal.

But what about West Virginia and Louisville? Aren't they supposed to be national title contenders? Yes, but what stops a great running game like the Mountaineers have? Great linebackers and defensive speed. Pat White and Steve Slaton tore up the Bulls last year for 263 yards in the 28-13 win, but the USF run defense should be even better. Ask Louisville what can happen when USF gets on a roll. In one of the shockers of the season, the Bulls destroyed the Cardinals 45-14. Unfortunately, both battles against the top teams are on the road, but they come in the final two games of the year. The schedule is light enough be bowl eligible before then if everything breaks the right way, and the potential is there to do even more.

Winning on the road against average teams like Kansas and North Carolina will be vital, because it'll be next to impossible to beat the Bulls at home. West Virginia was able to pull off a win in Raymond James Stadium last year, but USF has gone 29-6 at home since 2000 and gets all the mid-tier Big East teams like Rutgers, Pitt and UConn down in Tampa. 

While this is hardly a complete team, Leavitt's team should be able to run with everyone on the slate and should be able to get by on its defense. If everything can come together by mid-November, watch out.

The Schedule: USF doesn't play a team that'll sniff the top 25 until the final two games at Louisville and West Virginia. Is 10-0 possible? OK, OK, that's asking for a lot, but there's no reason the Bulls can't three of four on the road against UCF, Kansas, North Carolina and Cincinnati. The home games ... McNeese State? FIU? Please. Getting four of the seven Big East games in Tampa should assure another bowl trip.

What you need to know on offense ... The offense has athletes and has experience at key positions, but will it go anywhere without all-star back Andre Hall to carry the attack? The receiving corps has the potential to be the second best in the league behind Louisville's fantastic group, but someone has to get them the ball. Pat Julmiste is a long-time starter who can't throw with any consistency, while Carlton Hill has the talent to grow into the star of the team if the coaching staff can live through a season of mistakes to go along with the big plays. This is a spread attack that likes to use four wide receivers, but it was a running team last year. Backs Ricky Ponton and Moise Plancher will combine to try to replace Hall.

Best Offensive Player: Senior OT Thed Watson. Known nationally for holding Louisville's Elvis Dumervil without a sack last year, the star JUCO transfer is more than just a solid pass protector. He'll be the anchor of a line that needs some fine-tuning and will be the main blocker the ground game works behind.

What you need to know on defense ... The USF D will be the best in the Big East if the line is merely adequate. This is a fast, fast, fast defense with just enough size to hold up against the stronger power offenses. Stephen Nicholas, Ben Moffitt, and Pat St. Louis form one of the nation's best linebacking corps, while the return of safety Danny Verpaele from a foot injury gives a big boost to an already strong secondary. If Mike Jenkins and Trae Williams don't form the best corner tandem in the Big East, they're a very close number two.

Best Defensive Player: Senior LB Stephen Nicholas. He should be off to the NFL. Instead, the speedy veteran has made 224 career tackles and 38.5 tackles for loss on his way to Butkus Award recognition and All-Big East status. If he played for a higher profile program, he'd be on more preseason All-America teams.

Key player to a successful season: Sophomore QB Carlton Hill. Pat Julmiste might be the opening day starter, but if the program is going to take a step to the next level and grow into a dangerous threat to win the Big East title in the near future, it needs Hill to play up to his promise. He'll run as well as anyone in the league, including West Virginia's Pat White, but the 6-3, 220-pound sophomore has to up the completion percentage to around 55%.

The season will be a success if ... the Bulls win nine games. There will be a few disappointments along the way before playing the Mountaineers and Cardinals, but going to back-to-back bowl games is nothing to sneeze at considering the program didn't exist not that long ago.

Key game: November 18 at Louisville. South Florida is good enough to go unbeaten in Big East play up until the final two games. Even if there's a loss along the way, a win over the Cardinals would mean the following week's showdown against West Virginia would likely be for the title.

2005 Fun Stats:
- Penalties: South Florida 106 for 831 yards - Opponents 84 for 659 yards
- Third down conversions: South Florida: 75 of 197 (38%) - Opponents 45 of 156 (29%)
- Sacks: South Florida: 37 for 264 yards - Opponents 25 for 177 yards