Memphis @ South Florida preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 22, 2014 ) South Florida 20, Memphis 31

Off to a 4-0 start for the first time since 1961, Memphis looks to extend its overall winning streak to 12 straight games when it visits USF on Friday. The Tigers outlasted Cincinnati last week in a 53-46 shootout that saw the teams combine for more than 1,300 yards of total offense.

As Memphis' offense has soared, averaging 53.8 points to tie for third in the nation, the defense has been suspect, particularly against the pass, ranking last in the American Athletic Conference while allowing 333.8 yards per game. Coach Justin Fuente was quick to address the defense after outlasting the Bearcats, telling the Memphis Flyer, "We didn't play well defensively. (Allowing) 752 yards is not something I'm proud of." Fuente isn't content with the offense just yet either, saying, "We have a lot of improvement to do on both sides of the ball." The Bulls are coming off a bye week ahead of their conference opener, following consecutive road losses to No. 9 Florida State and Maryland.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2. LINE: Memphis –8.5

ABOUT MEMPHIS (4-0, 1-0 AAC): After inheriting a program that was 5-31 in the three seasons prior to his arrival, Fuente is humble in discussing the Tigers' turnaround. "I know how many difficult challenges we have ahead and how much better we've got to get to win just one more game." Fuente told reporters. "I'm proud of it but I'm a small picture guy. We're trying to focus on just one at a time." Quarterback Paxton Lynch leads the AAC in passing efficiency, with a rating of 188.2, while ranking second in the conference in passing yards per game (307.5) and third in total offense (335 yards per game).

ABOUT USF (1-2, 0-0): Coach Willie Taggart is keeping things positive for his team after resetting during the bye week and sees the matchup with Memphis as a huge opportunity. "It's our first conference game," Taggart told the team website. "We're 1-2 but all of our goals that we set out for the season are still on the table for us." Quarterback Quinton Flowers, in particular, took advantage of the open date and is starting to find a comfort zone in the team's new up-tempo offense. "He's playing more instinctively and I think it's because he understands what we're doing a little more," Taggart told reporters. "He's just getting better and that's going to help this football team."

EXTRA POINTS

1. Memphis' 11-game win streak is a school record and trails only TCU (12) and Ohio State (17) nationally.

2. USF is 1-4 under Taggart in games following a bye week.

3. The Tigers are 4-3 against the Bulls and have won two straight in the series, including a 31-20 decision last season that featured four touchdowns (two passing, two rushing) from Lynch.

PREDICTION: Memphis 31, USF 21