Live stream information and how to watch online as Illinois travels to face South Florida in a non-conference matchup in Tampa.
For good reason, the biggest story in South Florida is Hurricane Irma. After the impending storm caused several games featuring schools across the Sunshine State to be cancelled or rescheduled, including USF’s AAC matchup against Connecticut, it reached land early in the week. However, another story to watch as the Bulls take the field against Illinois, is USF’s slow start under new head coach Charlie Strong.
After entering the 2017 season as the only ranked team from a Group of Five conference, and therefore the favorite to represent the G5 in a New Year’s Day Six bowl, South Florida fell down 16-0 early to San Jose State before surging back for a 42-22 win on the road in the season opener. The Bulls also struggled against Stony Brook in Week 1, falling behind 10-7 before halftime and needing two fourth quarter touchdowns to win 31-17.
Strong, who earned a strong reputation as a defensive mastermind, has had a good impact on the USF defense. The Bulls have allowed just 308 total yards per game and 3.9 yards per play so far this season. USF also has plenty of offensive weapons, including dynamic quarterback Quinton Flowers, who has 398 passing yards with four touchdowns and an interception, as well as 137 rushing yards and a TD.
Running backs Darius Tice and D’Ernest Johnson have also surpassed 100 yards on the ground. Also, four Bulls receivers have scored, including Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Tyre McCants and Temi Alaka, who have all been on the receiving end of a pass play of 49 yards or longer.
Illinois at South Florida: How to watch online:
- Date: Friday, Sept. 15
- Time: 7:00p.m. ET
- Location: Tampa, FL
- Venue: Raymond James Stadium
- Odds, via Sportsbook Review: USF -17.5 -16.5; O/U 53.5
- TV Info: ESPN
- Live Stream: WatchESPN and the ESPN App; fuboTV
USF has an opportunity to break out of its slump in what could be a tougher than expected matchup with Illinois. The Illini were just 3-9 last year, but are 2-0 in 2017. Illinois beat Ball State 24-21 in the opener and picked up an impressive 20-7 victory last week over a Western Kentucky team that led the nation with an average of 45.5 points per game in 2016 while romping to the Conference USA title.
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Under the direction of second-year head coach Lovie Smith, who also has a strong reputation for defensive success, Illinois has limited its first two opponents to 309.5 total yards and 4.3 yards per play so far this season.