USF is not tOSU, and not even the USF of last year. Who can predict this kind of thing early in the year? Three weeks ago who would have thought that we would be incredibly thin at WR and our LBs would be anchoring the defense?
Special teams and forcing turnovers could give us a punchers chance against a team like USF. We really need those suspended players back, however. I hope those guys are into Lovie's office every morning asking what they can do to get back. How many miles, now many bleachers, etc.
I am always too optimistic this time of year, but I love this schedule. If this team takes a step forward every week and avoids further injuries (which sounds a bit much to ask, I get it), we can win at Rutgers and beat Purdue in Champaign. Keep up the improvement and Maryland, Minnesota, Iowa and NW can be competitive. We have to hope that our young team will improve more throughout the season then a team like NW.
ESPN gives us a 34% chance to win the USF game. That sounds about right to me. I think we lose a close one. I think it will be a reversal of what we have seen. We are in the game into the second half, but fall away at the end to lose by 10. If we get the suspended guys back, and if Smalling is 100%, I say we win a close one.