USF vs Houston Preview
Fresh off a bye week the Bulls head to Texas to play the Houston Cougars. USF, who’s on a five-game losing streak, will look to get back on track in hopes of saving their season.
A New Offensive Look
Before the bye week, USF got the news that quarterback Gerry Bohanon would miss the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. In light of that news, the new starter for the Bulls heading into the game against Houston will be Katravis Marsh. Marsh who played most of the game against Tulane after Bohanon left with the injury will get his first start of the year. Marsh is a second-year guy who has proven he can step up when his name is called.
As the quarterback change will be made in effect starting this week you can expect to see a different offensive look than normal. Marsh who has a good arm will be likely to throw the ball more than Bohanon has in recent games this season. Bohanon has shown he can also run the ball well so with his absence Houston likely won’t have to worry about the quarterback run.
Marsh has shown he’s more of a pass-first type of quarterback. Furthermore, the passing game for the Bulls will be in full effect against Houston. Regardless, the loss of Bohanon will now change how the offense looks the rest of the way out. Marsh is going to have big shoes to fill but has an opportunity to seize the moment in despite of Bohanon’s injury.
A Needed Defensive Outing
The USF defense will have its hands full this weekend as they prep to go against an extremely talented Houston offense. The Bulls will need a huge effort from everybody to be able to stop the Cougars.
Houston has shown they can win games either on the ground or in the air, but USF will have to particularly prepare for what Clayton Tune has in store. The four-year senior out of Texas is going to give the Bulls a lot of trouble. He’s proven he can throw the ball really well no matter the team he’s playing against.
Stopping Tune will be one of the main points for USF if they want to win this game. Moreover, if the Bulls can play a sound defensive game there could be potential for some turnovers. USF’s secondary has been known to make big plays so the Bulls will look to capitalize on any errors made by the Houston offense.
Ultimately, USF is looking for a strong defensive outing. Even though the first half of the season hasn’t fared well for the Bulls a “one game at a time” mentality can hopefully change that from this game and on. USF won’t have it easy with Houston, but some early turnovers as well as a hard-fought effort could very well change the outcome people are expecting.
Keys to the Game
Coming into week nine, the biggest key for USF against Houston will be stopping Clayton Tune. Tune, who has been very consistent this year, will be the main focal point for the Bulls’ defense. If the Bulls can get pressure on him and force him to make some bad throws the game will be a lot different.
Another big factor for USF will be the passing game. Even though the Bulls will rely on the running game with Brian Battie a bit you can expect that Marsh will have to make some big throws. If Marsh can complete drives going down the field in this contest USF won’t be a team to count out.
Lastly, USF will need to be good on 3rd down. Keeping drives alive in this game will be everything for the Bulls. Marsh is going to have to stick in the pocket and make some huge plays to keep drives alive. Three and-outs will be the death of USF in this game if the offense can’t get going. The loss of Bohanon will mostly take away the quarterback run on any 3rd downplay which will mean USF will likely pass the ball even on 3rd and short. Regardless, the Bulls will need to convert on 3rd down especially late in the game if they want to win this contest.
Expectations
Despite the loss of Bohanon, this game will be one that the Bulls compete in. Expect to see this USF squad come out excited and ready to play. Considering the guys are coming off a bye week you hope to see most of the mistakes they made against Tulane fixed. USF has had more than a week to prepare which means they should be good to go.
The bye week came at a good time for the Bulls to straighten up. This game is a great opportunity for USF to gain footing once again. The season hasn’t gone their way thus far, but a win at Houston could easily get them back on track. Winning this game would be huge for a team who hasn’t seen very many wins in the win column.
