The 8 p.m. game vs. No. 18 TCU is USF's first time playing on a Friday, its first home game against a team ranked in the AP poll, its first nationally televised home game and its first game on ESPN2 (the season opener at Alabama was on ESPN).
SKULL-CRUSHING INTENSITY
Jim Leavitt's head is taking a beating. The USF coach has developed a propensity for getting his team fired up at halftime by head-butting a helmeted player. The result is predictable: a stream of blood from Leavitt's brow down the side of his nose. It was first evident after the season finale a year ago at Houston, when Leavitt went skull-to-helmet with Kawika Mitchell. After another head-cracking during the Sept. 27 game at Army, Sports Illustrated called Leavitt the "coach most in need of a chill pill." During Saturday's win vs. Louisville, Leavitt bloodied himself again, high on his nose. Note: USF won all three games. Said senior safety Kevin Verpaele: "I don't watch that man during halftime. It's a little weird. That's for the young (players). The older (players) have learned. We've seen it."
OFF LINE
USF quarterback Ronnie Banks had three interceptions in 47 attempts Saturday, the same number predecessor Marquel Blackwell threw all of last season when he led the nation in interception percentage.
ON LINE
Banks was money in the clutch. He completed a 15-yard pass to Brian Fisher on fourth and 6 on USF's final drive of regulation. In overtime, on second and 20, Banks completed passes to Allynson Sheffield (14 yards) and Clenton Crossley (11) for the first down. Banks also set up the tying touchdown to close regulation when he scrambled 7 yards to the 1, taking a hit and tumbling head over heels.
BEEN AWHILE
TCU is one of 18 teams to play in a bowl the past five seasons and one of 11 Division I-A unbeatens this season. The Horned Frogs are 5-0 for the second time in four seasons (they also were in 2000), but you have to go back a ways to find another successful era. TCU started 5-0 six times in the 20th century, but none after 1942. With legends such as Ki Aldrich, Davey O'Brien and Sammy Baugh, TCU won national titles in 1935 and '38 and had the most wins in the 1930s.
TACKLE MAN
USF middle linebacker Maurice Jones ranks 23rd nationally with 11.75 tackles a game. He had 12 last week vs. Louisville.
DEFENSIVE OBSESSION
The Horned Frogs' flexible 4-2-5 defensive alignment led the nation in total defense in 2000 and 2002, and in rushing defense last season.
FILL IT UP
USF's average attendance of 31,252 through two games, 69th best in Division I-A, puts the Bulls in striking distance of the school record average of 33,039 from their first season, 1997, which included 49,212 at Tampa Stadium for the inaugural game. USF must average 33,933 over its final four home games to set a new mark.
