The Battle Continues..........

[cophbulls]

The Battle Continues vs. UAB

Desperation.

That’s the word of the day in more ways than one. Just as voters and candidates across the country are filled with desperation, the USF Bulls and their fans are filled with desperation of their own.

With their backs against the wall and the 2004 season crumbling in front of them the Bulls travel to the University of Alabama-Birmingham to make a desperate attempt to salvage the rapidly fading bowl hopes. A loss knocks the Bulls clean out of the picture, a win, well a win means next weeks game against East Carolina actually means something more than bragging rights.

A win won’t put the Bulls into a bowl but it keeps their hopes alive. These next five games are playoff games for the Bulls, win ‘em all and you’ll probably be able to play again. Lose one and well, there’s always those bragging rights.

UAB (3-1 C-USA; 5-2 overall) come in to the match-up fresh off of a dramatic offensive showdown with Tulane. The Blazers lost when Tulane score with 12 seconds left on the game clock. The final stats consisted of 1,174 yards of total offense, eight passing and six rushing touchdowns between the two teams. UAB monster QB Darrell Hackney passed for 448 yards and 2 touchdowns while UAB sophomore wide receiver Norris Drinkard rushed for three touchdowns. Guess you won’t hear any complaints about the UAB offensive scheme being boring.

Monster Hackney, who by the by is 6’2†and 235 pounds, has 1,776 yards passing and 18 touchdowns on the season. And don’t think this offense is one tracked. UAB also has sophomore tailback Dan Burks on the roster. Mr. Burks averages 5.5 yards per carry and has hit pay-dirt twice this season. UAB also has sophomore tailback Corey White on the roster. Mr. White averages 6.1 yards per carry and has hit pay-dirt four times this season. These two gentlemen have a combined 856 yards between them.

On the other foot, did TBC mention the Bulls were desperate? The Bulls(1-3 C-USA; 2-4 overall) come off of a disappointing but expected blowout loss to Louisville. Much maligned QB Pat Julmiste has 687 yards and four touchdowns to his credit. He also has thrown 6 int’s. The passing woes are not all PJ’s fault, dropped passes have been a bane. Additionally, PJ has been sacked 14 times this season, all with an offensive line that was supposed to be a strong point for the team.

The porous offensive line makes Andre Hall’s success this year an enigma. Hall has 547 yards rushing and averages 5.5 yards per carry. Mr. Hall has also found the elysian-fields 7 times.

Defensively the Bulls struggle, giving up 32.5 ppg.

TBC Prediction

This match-up is similar to the TCU games which bodes well for the Bulls. Unfortunately TCU is not UAB. Did TCB mention the Bulls were desperate?? This always bodes well and we will definitely see the true make-up of this team. Unfortunately for the Bulls and their fans, this just isn’t going to be enough. This is probably the worst match-up of the season, yes even Louisville wasn’t as bad of a match-up, simply because this offense is the real deal. The QB is Dante Culpepper-like and the Bulls secondary just won’t be able to keep up. I like the Bulls to put up a fight but all hope for a bowl dies on the road.

Bulls cover (+18.5) but lose. 31-17

TCB is 4-2 straight up (TCU, Army) 5-1 against the spread (South Carolina)  

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Matt Richardson is a contributing writer for SouthFloridaBulls.com.  His columns appear regularly throughout the season. You can e-him at cophbulls@southfloridabulls.com