BULLS-NOLES Preview

Quniton-Flowers celebrates MakDjulbegovic (71 ) and DominiqueThreatt (61) during the win over Florida A&M last week in Tampa. (photo Travis Failey / RSEN)

            The South Florida Bulls really like the city of Tallahassee.  After playing Tallahassee based Florida A & M last week at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, the Bulls travel to Tallahassee to take on the Florida State Seminoles.  The Bulls beat up the Rattlers 51-3 while Florida State dispatched Texas State 59-16.

            The Bulls debuted their new up tempo, spread offense last week and promptly put up 556 yards.  The new 4-2-5 defense kept the Rattlers in check allowing 182 total yards.  Quinton Flowers was impressive in his 2^nd career start throwing for 2 TD’s and 141 yards.  Elkanah Dillion was also impressive in his debut catching 4 passes for 126 yards and 1 TD.  Defensively, the Bulls were led by Auggie Sanchez who had 10 tackles and helped the Bulls record a team record 15 tackles for loss.

Augie Sanchez (photo Travis Failey / RSEN)

            The Seminoles are coming off an impressive victory over Texas State.  Last weekend’s game for the Seminoles saw the debut of transfer Everett Golson.  The Notre Dame transfer threw for 302 yards and 4 TD’s en route to winning ACC Player of the week.  The Seminoles were also led by RB Dalvin Cook who ran for 156 yards last week.

While it is a long shot for the Bulls to upset the Seminoles, there is hope.

The Bulls defensive unit is more talented than Texas State and should be able to apply pressure to an FSU offensive line that is young and inexperienced with four new starters.  FSU confused Texas State’s defensive unit by mixing offensive formations and personnel.  The Bulls offensive line on the other hand, must contain a very talented Seminoles defensive unit that will be looking to pressure and rattle Quinton Flowers who will be starting his 3^rd career game.

The Bulls must limit their mistakes.  Last week saw the Bulls first 3 TD’s were called back due to penalties.  In addition, the Bulls must take advantage of the mistakes made by the Seminoles.  The Seminoles last week fumbled two punts and had two balls kicked out of bounds on kickoff.  These mistakes led FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher to say: “We are going to be a work in progress…”

This is the first of many tests for the Bulls who are a 28.5 underdog.  While the Bulls will give their best effort, they unfortunately fail the test losing 42-17.