Tag: USF

Josh Heupel, Mike Vrabel discuss Alex Golesh becoming USF’s head coach

Josh Heupel and Mike Vrabel discuss Alex Golesh becoming USF’s head coach.

Tennessee offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Alex Golesh has been named head coach at South Florida.

“I am thankful to Chairman Weatherford, President Law and Michael Kelly for their support and belief in me to bring the USF program back to the top of college football,” Golesh said in a press release. “I’m excited to be back in the state of Florida and work with the great high school coaches in this state.

“This program will have an identity both offensively and defensively, and with special teams. We will be the most aggressive team in the country, both on the field and on the recruiting trail. I am humbled by the opportunity, and I appreciate the commitment from this University and Bulls Nation to hiring the best staff in the country. My family and I can’t wait to get going.”

Alex Golesh’s coaching resume

  • South Florida head coach (2023)
  • Tennessee offensive coordinator and tight ends coach (2021-22)
  • UCF offensive coordinator and tight ends coach (2020)
  • Iowa State tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator (2016-19)
  • Illinois tight ends and special teams coach (2015)
  • Illinois running backs, tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator (2014)
  • Illinois tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator (2012-13)
  • Toledo tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator (2010-11)
  • Toledo running backs coach and recruiting coordinator (2009)
  • Oklahoma State graduate assistant (2008)
  • Northern Illinois graduate assistant (2006-07)
  • Ohio State student assistant (2004-05)
  • Westerville Central High School (OH) defensive line coach (2003)

Following Golesh being hired as USF’s head coach, coaches throughout the sport discussed his career and can be read below.

Alex Golesh discusses being ‘aggressive team’ as USF’s head coach

Alex Golesh discusses being an aggressive team as USF’s head coach.

Tennessee offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Alex Golesh has been named head coach at South Florida.

“I am thankful to Chairman Weatherford, President Law and Michael Kelly for their support and belief in me to bring the USF program back to the top of college football,” Golesh said in a press release. “I’m excited to be back in the state of Florida and work with the great high school coaches in this state. This program will have an identity both offensively and defensively, and with special teams. We will be the most aggressive team in the country, both on the field and on the recruiting trail. I am humbled by the opportunity, and I appreciate the commitment from this University and Bulls Nation to hiring the best staff in the country. My family and I can’t wait to get going.”

Golesh will be introduced as USF’s head coach Monday at 11:30 a.m. EST in the USF Alumni Center on the Tampa, Florida campus. The event will be open to the public.

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UCF vs USF Prediction Game Preview

UCF vs USF game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 13 game on Saturday, November 26

UCF vs USF prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 13, Saturday, November 26

UCF vs USF Prediction Game Preview

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UCF vs USF How To Watch

Date: Saturday, November 26
Game Time: 7:00 ET
Venue: ESPN2
How To Watch: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
Record: UCF (8-3), USF (1-10)
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Why UCF Will Win

Just win and let it all go from there.

The Tulane-Cincinnati winner will host the American Athletic Conference championship, and UCF can get there with a win and a Tulsa win over Houston, or by breaking through all the crazy tie-breaking scenarios. For the moment, though, beat USF.

Just run. QB John Rhys Plumlee is banged up with a shoulder injury – he’s questionable – but the ground game should be just fine with the backs able to take over right from the start.

Even though Navy was able to stuff the Knights last week, don’t think that’s going to happen again.

The Knights are 6-0 when running for over 250 yards and 8-1 when rumbling for 160 or more. USF only held two teams to fewer than 160 yards, and that’s because East Carolina and Houston bombed away at will with the passing game.

But …

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Why USF Will Win

The losses keep on piling up, but the offense is a whole lot of fun.

The defense is the big problem – it’s dead last in the nation allowing 514 yards per game – but the O rips up rushing yards in chunks and should push for 400 yards in this.

It’s the end of a lost season, there aren’t any wins over FBS teams, and things are about to change in the offseason, but it’s still a rivalry game that often defies all logic and reason. And that’s why …

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What’s Going To Happen

There will be lots and lots and lots of offense.

Last year was a 17-13 UCF win. That might be the first quarter.

58-46 UCF in 2020. 49-42 UCF in 2017. 48-31 USF in 2016. That’s what this might be with both attacks going off.

UCF’s running game will be too much. It’ll blast for well over 300 yards, and it’ll need all of them before finally pulling away.

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UCF vs USF Prediction, Line

UCF 49, USF 30
Line: UCF -19.5, o/u: 68.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
UCF vs USF Must See Rating (out of 5): 2.5

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USF vs Tulsa Prediction Game Preview

USF vs Tulsa game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 12 game on Friday, November 18

USF vs Tulsa prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 12, Friday, November 18

USF vs Tulsa Prediction, Game Preview

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USF vs Tulsa How To Watch

Date: Friday, November 18
Game Time: 9:00 ET
Venue: Chapman Stadium, Tulsa, OK
How To Watch: ESPN2
Record: USF (1-9), Tulsa (3-7)
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Why USF Will Win

The Bulls weren’t able to get past SMU in the first game under the interim reign of Daniel Da Prato, but the offense was balanced and it wasn’t all that bad. The passing game has to be sharper and the O overall wasn’t able to keep up, but it wasn’t anything totally different.

The Tulsa offensive front isn’t great in pass protection, the running game isn’t great, and there are enough turnovers to potentially give the Bulls a shot.

The Golden Hurricane turned it over multiple times five times in the last six games, and USF needs them. However …

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Why Tulsa Will Win

Can the Tulsa offense finally perk back up?

The passing game that was so strong earlier in the season hasn’t shown up over the last few games against the better teams, but it should work again without a problem this week.

The Bulls can’t do anything on third downs, the secondary is the second-worst in American in pass efficiency defense. and overall the D is dead last allowing 508 yards per game.

Tulsa might not be able to consistently get things moving, but they’ll put up yards in bunches when it has to.

USF allowed 200 yards rushing and 200 receiving in three of the last four games, and …

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What’s Going To Happen

Tulsa won’t have to press. It might have a turnover issue, but USF’s defense isn’t taking it away.

USF isn’t coming close to stopping the run, passing games are hitting 75% of their passes over the last three games, and all of a sudden, the Tulsa O will return to its September form – at least for one game.

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USF vs Tulsa Prediction, Line

Tulsa 41, USF 28
Line: Tulsa -13.5, o/u: 57.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
USF vs Tulsa Must See Rating (out of 5): 2
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SMU vs USF Prediction Game Preview

SMU vs USF game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 11 game on Saturday, November 12

SMU vs USF prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 11, Saturday, November 12

SMU vs USF How To Watch

Date: Saturday, November 12
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Venue: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
How To Watch: ESPNU
Record: SMU (3-6), USF (5-4)
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SMU vs USF Game Preview

Why SMU Will Win

Teams this year haven’t done all that well right after firing their head coach.

They do okay in the second and third games after the sacking, but that first game – whether it was Nebraska, or Georgia Tech, or Arizona State, and on and on – have had problems.

USF has moved on from Jeff Scott, but the team still has issues. The secondary is getting ripped to shreds, allowing close to 2,000 yards through the air over the last six games.

The SMU passing game that hit 300 yards in every game but two this year will do whatever it wants. However …

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Why USF Will Win

The USF running game should work.

The ground game ran for 281 yards in the loss to Temple last week, the offensive line should be able to blast away for big yards against the bad Mustang defensive front, and the offense that averages over five yards per carry should control the game a little bit.

The team has been relatively competitive even with all of the problems. The offense hasn’t been all that bad, it should push for 30 on the board, and …

– Schedules, Predictions College | NFL

What’s Going To Happen

Uh oh.

The SMU offense that came up with 642 yards and 77 points last week against Houston now gets a USF defense that allowed 54 points and 621 yards to a mediocre Temple attack.

SMU’s defense will give up a ton of yards, but there’s nothing stopping what’s coming.

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SMU vs USF Prediction, Line

SMU 52, USF 24
Line: SMU -17.5, o/u: 72.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3
SMU vs USF Must See Rating (out of 5): 2.5
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Swinney reacts to Jeff Scott’s firing

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney spoke with the media around 6 p.m. Sunday and said it wasn’t until right before then that he heard the news of Jeff Scott being fired by South Florida. Scott, of course a longtime member of Swinney’s staff at Clemson …

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney spoke with the media around 6 p.m. Sunday and said it wasn’t until right before then that he heard the news of Jeff Scott being fired by South Florida.

Scott, of course a longtime member of Swinney’s staff at Clemson before taking USF’s head coaching job ahead of the 2020 season, was relieved of his duties Sunday after going 4-26 in three seasons with the Bulls.

“I literally, like 30 seconds before I got on here, Ross (Clemson Assistant Athletic Director for Football Communications Ross Taylor) told me that,” Swinney said during his weekly Sunday Zoom conference call. “So, I literally just heard that. I hadn’t seen anything, so I didn’t know anything about it but definitely will reach out to Jeff.”

Scott’s firing comes on the heels of USF’s 54-28 loss at Temple on Saturday, which marked the Bulls’ seventh straight defeat following a win over Howard on Sept. 10 and dropped their record to 1-8 this season.

USF special teams coordinator Daniel Da Prato will serve as the interim head coach in place of Scott, who had a 1-26 record against FBS teams across his close to three full campaigns.

“I just know he gave it everything he could down there, and it just didn’t work out,” Swinney said. “But he’s a great coach and a great person and got a great family and somebody I love dearly, and I know he’ll grow from it.”

Scott, who received a two-year contract extension back in January, spent 12 seasons on Swinney’s staff including the last five as the Tigers’ co-offensive coordinator.

Swinney was asked Sunday if Scott, a Florida native who also played his college football for the Tigers, would be welcome back at Clemson if a spot on Swinney’s staff were to open up in the future.

“I’m not getting into any of that kind of stuff, man. I just want to beat Louisville,” Swinney said, referring to Saturday’s game at Death Valley. “That’s all I want to do. That’s the only thing I’m focusing on right now.”

–Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images 

Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce a limited edition football and poster signed by Clemson’s Avengers.

Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out how you can help!

USF vs Temple Prediction Game Preview

USF vs Temple game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 10 game on Saturday, November 5

USF vs Temple prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 10, Saturday, November 5

USF vs Temple How To Watch

Date: Saturday, November 5
Game Time: 2:00 ET
Venue: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA
How To Watch: ESPN+
Record: USF (1-7), Temple (2-6)
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USF vs Temple Game Preview

Why USF Will Win

The USF running game should rumble.

The passing game has stepped up was the offense keeps on improving, but it’s the ground attack that should be able to take over early on with a decent style that averages five yards per carry with plenty of gashing runs.

Temple’s defense has been able to hold up – for the most part – but teams that commit to the ground game can bust through and succeed. As long as USF runs at least 35 times, it’ll have a shot.

Temple doesn’t have the scoring pop to keep up, but …

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Why Temple Will Win

The Temple defense is fine.

It might have problems at times against he run, but it’s the best in the AAC at coming up with third down stops, the pass defense is among the best in America, and it all starts with a pass rush that will go off.

USF’s defense can’t stop much of anything. It’s the second-worst in America – yay Charlotte – with huge problems against the run. Temple might not have enough happening on offense, but the passing attack will be good for at least 200 yards.

However …

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What’s Going To Happen

As good as the Temple defense is, it doesn’t take the ball away.

USF’s offense will be a bit more balanced, the ground game will work, and the Temple offense will stall just enough to keep up.

Finally, the Bulls will break through after a slew of close calls.

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USF vs Temple Prediction, Line

USF 27, Temple 23
Line: USF -3.5, o/u: 51.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
USF vs Temple Must See Rating (out of 5): 2
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Houston vs USF Prediction, Game Preview

Houston vs USF game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 9 game on Saturday, October 29

Houston vs USF prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 9, Saturday, October 29

Houston vs USF How To Watch

Date: Saturday, October 29
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Venue: TDECU Stadium, Houston, TX
How To Watch: ESPN2
Record: Houston (4-3), USF (1-6)
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Houston vs USF Game Preview

Why USF Will Win

The Bulls keep losing, but they keep playing well enough to be competitive.

The opener against BYU and 41-3 performance against Louisville were the only two games they were truly out of it, and now they’re playing a team that plays almost every game close.

Five of Houston’s seven games have been thrillers, and this one could be a fight if USF can get the ground game going fast. It’s been able to get to 200 yards on the ground in four of the last six games. It’ll get close to that in this, but …

– NFL Expert Picks, Week 8

Why Houston Will Win

The USF run defense is non-existent.

It’s giving up 5.7 yards per carry allowing 221 yards per game and doing a whole lot better against the strong passing attacks.

Houston is at its best with a balance, but it’ll be the running game that gets to eat in this. It has yet to hit 200 yards, but it should be able to pound away, allow the passing game to not take any dangerous chances, and …

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What’s Going To Happen

USF can’t come up with third down stops, and that’s going to be a killer against the Cougars.

It’s Houston, so this will be more interesting than it has to be. There will be moments when things start to work with the Bull offense – USF will get its points – but the defensive front will come through with plenty of plays behind the line when it has to.

In a slight shocker, Houston will actually play a second straight game without a ton of stress.

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Houston vs USF Prediction, Line

Houston 41, USF 27
Line: Houston -17.5, o/u: 60.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
Houston vs USF Must See Rating (out of 5): 2
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Tulane at USF Prediction, Game Preview

Tulane at USF game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 7 game on Saturday, October 15

Tulane at USF prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 7, Saturday, October 15

Tulane vs USF How To Watch

Date: Saturday, October 15
Game Time: 4:00 ET
Venue: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
How To Watch: ESPNU
Record: Tulane (5-1), USF (1-5)
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Tulane at USF Game Preview

Why Tulane Will Win

The offense is showing its versatility.

It ran well for the first part of the season – and had good balance with the passing game – nothing really worked until it absolutely had to in the comeback win over Houston, and then came the passing attack in a 24-9 win over East Carolina.

USF hasn’t been all that awful defensively, but it doesn’t generate enough pressure up front. The Tulane backfield is deadly when it gets time to figure out what it wants to do – getting the ground game working on the outside is good, but giving Michael Pratt time to throw is great. When he’s on, forget it.

The Bulls might not be doing much defensively, and they’re not coming up with third down stops, but …

– NFL Expert Picks, Week 6

Why USF Will Win

The team is showing potential breakthrough moments.

It played stunningly well at Cincinnati in a 28-24 loss, it pushed Florida way too hard, and if the turnovers can stop and the running game works, it has a shot to make this a battle into the fourth.

Tulane doesn’t generate a pass rush and it’s been hit-or-miss against the run. USF has to be great on the ground. The team is competitive when it gets to 200 rushing yards, but …

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What’s Going To Happen

The Tulane defensive front has been too solid against the run – it only allowed 200 yards in the opener against UMass.

Kansas State, Houston, East Carolina, Southern Miss – no one else was able to get there, but USF will come close.

This is USF’s first home game since September 10th – playing four straight away from Raymond James with the hurricane playing a role in that – and it’ll be good for a while, but it won’t generate the key defensive stops to push through and pull off the upset.

The Tulane offense will be balanced on a key fourth quarter scoring drive to put this away.

– College Football Expert Picks, Week 7

Tulane at USF Prediction, Line

Tulane 31, USF 20
Line: Tulane -12, o/u: 55
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2.5
Tulane at USF Must See Rating (out of 5): 2
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Cincinnati vs USF Prediction, Game Preview

Cincinnati vs USF game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 6 game on Saturday, October 8

Cincinnati vs USF prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 6, Saturday, October 8

Cincinnati vs USF How To Watch

Date: Saturday, October 8
Game Time: 2:30 ET
Venue: Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
How To Watch: ESPN+
Record: Cincinnati (4-1), USF (1-4)
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College Football Week 5 Roundup
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Bowl Projections | Week 5 Scoreboard
Week 6 Early Lines | Hot Seat Coach Rankings
What 12-Team Playoff Would Look Like
Cavalcade of Whimsy: The Silly Coaching World
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Cincinnati at USF Game Preview

Why USF Will Win

The Bulls are getting the offense moving.

They might not be consistent, and the wins aren’t there, but the O was balanced in the 48-28 loss to East Carolina, the passing game showed a sign of life after a rough loss to Louisville, and it’s starting with an offensive line that’s not bad at keeping teams out of the backfield.

Cincinnati is having a slew of problems with penalties and it’s not controlling the clock. USF has to go against type a bit and grind the game down and keep the Bearcat O off the field.

However …

– NFL Expert Picks, Week 5

Why Cincinnati Will Win

The USF offensive line hasn’t been that good. It’s been a plus compared to the rest of the team, but it’s hit-or-miss. On the other side, Cincinnati leads the nation in sacks and tackles for loss – it’s going to get behind the line.

The team is starting to step up its game a bit with the running game rolling against Tulsa and the passing attack cranking it up against Indiana. All of the pressure from the D is forcing turnovers, and the offense is taking advantage.

– Schedules, Previews College | NFL

What’s Going To Happen

USF hasn’t played a true home game in almost a month with last week’s game against East Carolina moved because of the hurricane.

The try is there with the Bulls, but the production isn’t. The defense won’t come up with enough big stops in the first half, and the offense won’t generate the production it’ll need to on the ground.

– CFN Expert Picks, Week 6

Cincinnati at USF Prediction, Line

Cincinnati 44, USF 17
Line: Cincinnati -27.5, o/u: 59
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
Cincinnati at USF Must See Rating (out of 5): 2
– Predictions of Every Game

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