Frank Ordoñez /The Post-Standard

By Brandon Matthews

The 20 hour drive from Syracuse to South Florida brings with it a lot of change.  Nice weather, nicer women, and about 160 quarters (those tolls are horrible).  Upon finally arriving in Tampa you’ll realize one simple similarity – neither city knows if their football team is any good.

Combined, SU and USF are a striking 6-2.  Those victories are against teams in the MAC, Sun Belt (2), Patriot League, CAA and America East.  Both teams faced only one test in the early portion of the season and failed miserably to keep it close.  USF went into the locker room tied at seven against Florida before being outscored by 24 points in the second half.  Syracuse entered halftime down three against Washington before being romped 28 to 10 in the last two quarters.

The similarity continues to the signal caller.  Both BJ Daniels and Ryan Nassib are completing less than 60 percent of their passes (56.9 and 58.1 respectively).  Daniels and Nassib rely heavily on their legs: both quarterbacks are listed as the third leading rusher on their team.  

Don’t get it twisted.  USF has owned Syracuse in recent years.  In the last five meetings, the Bulls have outscored the Orange by 121 points.  The recruiting base in Tampa is filled with five stars and starling futures.  Syracuse is based in a land plush with scrappy point guards and underachieving wide-outs.

Somehow in this bizzaro world, Syracuse and South Florida can legitimately be compared.  It’s a pleasant surprise for the ‘Cuse and a rude notice for the Bulls.  The result may define the rest of the season for both Skip Holtz and Doug Marrone.  If Marrone goes in to South Florida and steals a win, lock him up for a major extension.  If he loses, and loses badly, the downward spiral of confidence will officially begin.  If USF wins, the Bulls could enter a league defining match-up with West Virginia as both teams could be 4-1.  If USF loses, Skip Holtz’s maiden voyage would suffer iceberg ramifications.

The Bulls have been enjoying big salads at Reggie’s for quite sometime now – could worlds collide and allow this to be the Autumn of Orange?