Florida A&M @ South Florida preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 17, 2011 ) Florida A&M 17, South Florida 70

USF begins the quest for its first winning season since 2010, and its first under coach Willie Taggart, when the Bulls host Florida A&M on Saturday. With only six wins in their last 24 games, the Bulls will turn the offensive play calling over to the head coach while new defensive coordinator Tom Allen has revamped that unit into an unconventional 4-2-5 formation.

Taggart told the Tampa Tribune that while the culture may have improved in the early part of his tenure, the results haven't, and that absolutely has to change. “I think we're all tired of losing,” Taggart said. "I think we're ready to win. In fact, I know we are." Quarterback Quinton Flowers, with just one career start, begins the season under center for USF, though Taggart is leery of putting too much pressure on any one position. "The quarterback can't be good unless you have the other pieces," Taggart told reporters as his team prepares for the Rattlers, who were picked eighth in the preseason MEAC poll.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN3. LINE: NL

ABOUT FLORIDA A&M (2014: 3-9): The Rattlers are expected to play a more fast-paced offense under new coach Alex Wood, who racked up 438.2 yards per game last season as offensive coordinator with Buffalo. Junior quarterback Carson Royal has been named Florida A&M's starter, after completing 38-of-87 attempts for 422 yards with four touchdowns and four interceptions in 14 career games. Wide receiver Brandon Norwood is likely to be Royal's top target after leading the Rattlers with 516 receiving yards in 2014.

ABOUT USF (2014: 4-8): Allen, the former linebackers coach and special teams coordinator at Ole Miss, may be overhauling the defense with a new systematic approach but at the end of the day, it's still intangibles that will make the biggest difference for the Bulls. "We have a standard of excellence we've set for our guys," Allen told reporters. "Even if you happen to win the game and you don't play to our standard, we're not going to be happy." Jamie Byrd, who led the team with 95 tackles and tied for the team lead with two interceptions last season as a cornerback, will look to anchor the defense after making the switch to linebacker.

EXTRA POINTS

1. USF RB Marlon Mack led the AAC last season with 1,041 rushing yards on 202 carries.

2. Florida A&M averaged 95.5 rushing yards per game in 2014, ahead of only Savannah State (76.8) among MEAC teams.

3. The Bulls will look to be more opportunistic on defense after finishing tied with SMU for last among AAC teams with six interceptions last season.

PREDICTION: USF 24, Florida A&M 13