High Flying Tigers Come Calling

Two weeks after getting trounced by the Maryland Terrapins, the USF Bulls are ready for a new challenge.

The challenge, should the Bulls choose to accept it, is to stop a team ranked 3^rd nationally in scoring as well as 8^th in total offense.

The Memphis Tigers come in on an 11 game winning streak dating back to 2014 when they last lost to a Tom Allen Ole Miss team that held the Tigers to 104 yards. The Bulls are ranked 45^th nationally in defense but have been the victim of several big plays the past couple of games, giving up 6 plays of 25 or more yards.

Defensively, this will be the biggest test for the Bulls and their new 4-2-5 (“Bull Shark Defense.”). The Tigers are led by Paxton Lynch, who leads an offensive attack that averages 53.8 points per game as well as 570.3 yards per game. The Tigers have also scored 40 or more points in 6 straight games.

Offensively, this is a prime opportunity for Quinton Flowers and a beleaguered Bulls offense that managed just 60 yards passing against Maryland. The Tigers are ranked 99^th nationally in total yards and 116^th in the passing game allowing 333.8 pass yards per game.

In order for the Bulls to win, they must play a perfect game taking advantage of opportunities as well as getting running back Marlon Mack involved in the run game. Mack had 12 touches in the game against Maryland rushing for only 70 yards. The reigning AAC Freshmen of the Year has rushed for 223 yards in 3 games. Furthermore, the issue of dropped passes and penalties that plagued the Bulls against Maryland MUST be eliminated. The Bulls were penalized 10 times for 105 yards.

The Bulls will come out fighting and give it their best but in the end, the same problems that have plagued the Bulls the whole season will rear there ugly head and cost the Bulls the game. Bulls lose 49-28.