In the last two seasons, the recently realigned Big East has produced two out of nowhere Top-10 teams. In 2006, it was Rutgers but 2007 is the year of the Bulls.
South Florida, whose season began with talk of being only a conference darkhorse, has shocked everyone in college football, and currently sits at No. 2 in the BCS rankings.
It is true that part of the Bulls upswing is because of the amount of upsets in the top five this season, but they are by no stretch lucky.
The South Florida defense led by stud linebacker Ben Moffitt is reminiscent of the Scarlet Knight defense of a year ago. The Bulls' repression of offensive powerhouse West Virginia in late September catapulted them into the national spotlight.
It was that same spotlight that doomed Rutgers last season, but South Florida's coach Jim Leavitt is the steadying force that a young team like the Bulls need to stay successful.
"It's not hard for me because I'm so overwhelmed with just trying to do the little things right and the practices and the pace we go always, so it's not difficult for me," Leavitt said on a conference call about the pressure of being ranked high in the AP and BCS polls.
An unwavering coaching style is what has allowed South Florida to become the best football team in the state and Leavitt has led the Bulls to the brink of a national title.
But South Florida is entering the toughest part of its schedule. The Bulls will play back-to-back road games against two teams chasing them in the Big East.
A trip to Storrs, Conn., ends the grueling part of the Bulls season. After Oct. 27, only Cincinnati stands in their way of a perfect season.
That's if they survive today's game in Piscataway, N.J.
Game of the week:
Unfortunately, South Florida's dream season hits a road bump in the state of Bruce Springsteen.
Rutgers has been a disappointment this season, but running back Ray Rice has not. Rice has 818 yards rushing with 13 touchdowns, so the spotlight hasn't affected him.
It was Coach Greg Schiano's "choppin' wood" defense that fell asleep for two consecutive games, and cost the Scarlet Knights a shot at the BCS title Game.
The Rutgers defense will have its hands full with South Florida quarterback Matt Grothe.
But, funny things do happen in Jersey.
Rutgers 21, South Florida 17
