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College Football Rankings: Top 25 entering spring games

By Brad Weiss

December 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; General view of the College Football Playoff championship trophy during the game between the Clemson Tigers and Ohio State Buckeyes at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
December 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; General view of the College Football Playoff championship trophy during the game between the Clemson Tigers and Ohio State Buckeyes at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 15, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; University of South Florida head coach Charlie Strong speaks with the media at University of South Florida Campus. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 15, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; University of South Florida head coach Charlie Strong speaks with the media at University of South Florida Campus. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
24

South Florida Bulls

2016: 11-2, AAC- East Division

It will be year one of the Charlie Strong Era, as Willie Taggart bolted to the west coast to be the head coach of the Oregon Ducks. Strong comes off a so-so stint with the Texas Longhorns, whose players desperately wanted the coach to stay. The University felt differently, and now Strong will take over a South Florida program that won 11 games last season.

The Bulls will only go as far as star quarterback Quinton Flowers takes them, as the senior is coming off a stellar junior season. Flowers finished third in the American Athletic Conference in rushing, and he will have to shoulder even more of the load with running back Melvin Mack gone. South Florida came very closely to winning the conference last season, and with Strong in place, they may just do it in 2017.

There is no doubt the offense is going to be strong, and the Bulls have the luxury of having a pretty soft schedule. Their biggest test may come late in the season when they take on the University of Central Florida. The defense had a rough season in 2016, but Strong is a defensive-minded coach and should bring his trademark passion to the unit as they look to win their first conference championship.

Strong is a master motivator, and he will be looking to get the bad taste out of his mouth from his stint in Texas. Flowers is the best quarterback he has had since he coached Teddy Bridgewater in Louisville, so expect a big season from him through the air, and on the ground. The Bulls have to be considered the favorite to win the AAC this season, bringing Strong and company a chance to play in the New Year’s Six games.

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