Scouting report: What to know about USF ahead of week eight matchup with UAB

UAB's five-game skid lands them at Raymond James Stadium this weekend to take on the 2-4 South Florida Bulls in Tampa, kicking off the second half of their schedule.

After promising 2023 seasons, both teams have been on a similar downward trajectory this year. They've both lost their starting quarterbacks to injury recently, and both meet after suffering three straight blowout losses.

The two teams last met in October of 2023, with UAB winning a 56-35 rout in Birmingham. It was the Blazers' best offensive performance of the season against a USF team that ended the season 7-6.

It should be a hard-fought game between two teams trying to salvage their seasons in the latter half of the year.

Here's the report on the Bulls:

The Team South Florida started the season 2-1 after blowing out FCS Bethune Cookman in their opener, losing to Alabama in a game much closer than the final score indicated and beating Southern Miss by 25 points.

Since then, they've entered a downward spiral. They were manhandled by eighth-ranked Miami, blown out by Tulane and only scored three points in a loss to Memphis last week.

In that blowout loss to Tulane, USF lost their star quarterback Byrum Brown to a left-leg injury. Throughout the week leading up to the Memphis game, it sounded like Brown was in good enough shape to be a game-time decision but was ultimately didn't play. So far this week, the updates have been much of the same from head coach Alex Golesh.

If Brown is unable to go, backup Bryce Archie will likely be making his second consecutive start for an offense that hasn't quite found its' legs this season.

The Bulls rank in the bottom 30 nationally in both points scored per game and total offense and have turned the ball over eight times this season, tied for third most in the country.

In the wake of Brown's injury, the rushing attack has become South Florida's strength on the offense. They pick up 153 yards per game on the ground and average 4.19 yards a carry.

On paper, this is the worst defense from an FBS opponent that UAB has faced this season, allowing over 420 yards per game.

A bottom 20 pass defense for USF should give UAB's air attack a chance to find a groove, the Bulls have allowed 275 yards per game to opposing quarterbacks.

The one area this defense does excel is in creating turnovers, having created 10 on the season with an even five interceptions and five fumbles. This poses a massive threat to a Blazer team that has struggled with taking care of the ball this season.

The Coach Head coach Alex Golesh entered the season with lofty expectations for this team after winning USF its' first bowl game in six years.

Prior to his hiring at South Florida, Golesh was the offensive coordinator at Tennessee under Josh Heupel in 2021 and 2022, producing one of the nation's most electric offenses.

While the offense hasn't lived up to the hype this season, USF's 2023 total offensive statistics were on par with UAB's, ranking one spot ahead at 17th nationally.

Calling the plays on offense is Joel Gordon, who's in his second season of running his and Golesh's fast-paced dynamic offense.

Regardless of who's in at signal caller on Saturday, expect to see plenty of run-pass option plays, with an emphasis on the pass. Brown is a true dual-threat and was leading the team in passing and rushing yards at the time of his injury.

Joining Golesh's staff after a stint at AAC rival Florida Atlantic was defensive coordinator Todd Orlando, who also works as the team's linebacker coach.

Throughout his college coaching career Orlando has produced some of the best defenses in the nation in creating turnovers and has produced numerous NFL linebackers.

Players to Watch At receiver, Gordon's offense has a weapon in Sean Atkins. The 5-foot-10 senior leads the team in both receptions and receiving yards, having caught 32 passes for 344 yards, but has yet to find the end zone this season.

In a loss to 15th ranked Miami in week five, Atkins had 11 catches for 125 yards in his best performance of the year.

South Florida's rushing attack is almost an even split in carries and production from Kelley Joiner and Nay'Quan Wright. Both have just under 50 carries on the year and average over 5 yards per carry. Expect a big day from both backs against what's been a porous UAB rush defense.

Leading South Florida in total tackles (39.0) and tackles for loss (4.5) is outside linebacker Mac Harris. The graduate student comes in at just 6-feet tall, undersized for the position, but his instincts and explosion off the line make up for it.

The game kicks off in Tampa at 2:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on ESPN+.