THE QUARTERBACK: There are several things new about South Florida this season, but only one thing that everyone cares about: Ronnie Banks.
You might have heard. Marquel Blackwell, USF's four-year starting quarterback, playmaker, local icon, Nobel Prize winner (okay, maybe not), has graduated.
Banks is his replacement. An enormous chunk of the focus is on the junior from New Orleans.
Banks, Banks, Banks. For the record, he is doing fine. He has adjusted comfortably to the spotlight, his teammates are raving about his leadership and they are rallying behind him.
Banks is not Blackwell. Both are right-handed, but Banks is bigger (6 feet 3, 230 pounds), will run less (he doesn't have Blackwell's wheels) and will throw deep a little more.
"We're not going to change our offense," coach Jim Leavitt said. "We'll do the same things."
THE LEAGUE: You might have heard about this. USF is in Conference USA.
From the fall of 1999, when it was determined 2003 would be USF's C-USA start date, to now has been the longest four years in history for USF fans. The time has arrived.
THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE: The best player on defense, middle linebacker Kawika Mitchell, was a second-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs. Yet middle linebacker might be USF's best position this season. Senior Maurice Jones has moved over from the outside and is poised for a big year if he has ... PROTECTION: Defensive tackles Greg Walls and Tavares Jurineack were adept at occupying multiple blockers, allowing Mitchell to make plays. But they also have graduated.
Craig Kobel, Lee Roy Selmon Jr., Matt Groelinger and Cedric Battles will be regulars in the tackle rotation. If the dropoff at the position is significant, though, it could spell trouble for Jones, who will be shedding blocks instead of attacking ballcarriers.
STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE: You could say the Bulls upgraded the season opener from a year ago. That's if you're among the 99.999 percent of the population that considers Alabama to be a stronger, more tradition-rich program than Florida Atlantic.
USF also plays three bowl teams at home, Oct. 4 vs. Louisville, Oct. 10 vs. TCU and Oct. 31 vs. Cincinnati, and one on the road, Oct. 25 at Southern Miss.
FRESHMEN: Among those who took their first class at USF on Monday but could be making major contributions this fall are receivers S.J. Green of Brandon and Trae Williams of Durant, linebackers Josh Balloon of Jefferson and Pat St. Louis, and defensive back Mike Jenkins, who Leavitt said can be a "special player."
THE GAP: In mid-September the Bulls have a three-week gap, with no game the weekend of Sept. 13 or Sept. 20. USF will be well-rested for its first C-USA game Sept. 27 at Army.
