By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA - A USF football team packed with potential made a splash at Big East Media Day.
The Bulls were picked to finish second in the conference's annual preseason media poll after receiving four first-place votes and a total of 176 points on Tuesday morning.
Joining head coach Skip Holtz in Providence, R.I., were quarterback B.J. Daniels, tight end Evan Landi, linebacker Sam Barrington and cornerback Kayvon Webster.
"This is their senior year. They have that chip on their shoulders and they know how hard it's going to be. Right now it's an extremely motivated group," Holtz said.
USF is coming off a 5-7 season that saw the Bulls come up short in numerous close games, so motivation definitely hasn't been an issue this offseason.
"The seniors have embraced the 'We're not going through that again.' We have to work harder in winter, we have to work harder in spring and we have to work harder in summer. They have really led this football team and I'm really proud of them," Holtz said.
Players don't officially report for fall camp until Aug. 5, but the reports from summer workouts point to a Bulls team that's ready to hit the ground running when practices begin.
"We will be a lot better. I'll guarantee you - guarantee you - there will be leadership with this team,'' Barrington said.
The Rest of the Big East Preseason Poll
Louisville is the favorite to win the conference after receiving 24 first-place votes and a total of 219 points. Rutgers took third in the poll followed by Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Connecticut, Syracuse and Temple.
"The biggest strength we have as a league right now is the product," Holtz said. "There is no doormat in this league right now. There is no bottom-dweller and there is no king. Anybody can beat everybody."
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Rank |
Team (First-Place Votes) |
Pts. |
|
1. |
Louisville (24) |
219 |
|
2. |
USF (4) |
176 |
|
3. |
Rutgers |
155 |
|
4. |
Cincinnati |
139 |
|
5. |
Pittsburgh |
131 |
|
6. |
Connecticut |
77 |
|
7. |
Syracuse |
70 |
|
8. |
Temple |
41 |
