Five things to ponder about the USF–SMU game:
1. Could this be a game where USF stubs its toe?
It’s possible. All you have to do is look back a month to SMU’s stunning 38-16 win over Houston, then the No. 11 team in the nation. Houston came in looking bulletproof, but quarterback Greg Ward had a hard time getting going. It could happen again if USF doesn’t match SMU’s energy early on. In that game, SMU scored the first 21 points and led 28-7 by halftime.
2. Can SMU be the team that finally stops Quinton Flowers?
Except for its performance against Ward, there isn’t much evidence. The Mustangs are only the 87th team in the nation on defense, a full 80 spots behind USF’s offense. But Flowers has amassed a lot of eye-popping stats by keeping the ball himself. If SMU forces him to pitch, even with Marlon Mack, the home team might have a chance.
3. Can Houston match points with USF?
Probably not, but quarterback Ben Hicks, just a freshman, can make some plays. USF’s own defense hasn’t slowed down many teams this year. It’s ranked 119th in the nation. So unless USF is particularly sharp on offense, the Mustangs can hang around.
4. Does USF still have a shot at the American Conference title game?
It’s fading. The Bulls still lose a tiebreaker to Temple, which has only Tulane and East Carolina ahead of them. Still, the Bulls can finish with their best record — and possibly finish in the Top 25 for the first time, if it beats both SMU and UCF the next two weeks.
5. Who is USF’s most underrated player?
That’s always opinion, but how about receiver Rodney Adams? He’s only 76th in the nation in receiving yards with 649, and he has only 190 yards rushing. But he’s scored 10 touchdowns, only three behind Flowers on the team.
