FACTS & STATS: Site: Raymond James Stadium (41,441) -- Tampa, Florida. Television:ESPN-R. Home Record: Rutgers 3-2, USF 3-1. Away Record: Rutgers 1-3, USF 3-2. Neutral Record: Rutgers 0-0, USF 0-0. Conference Record: Rutgers 3-2, USF 1-3. Series Record: Rutgers leads, 2-1.

GAME NOTES: A couple of teams headed in opposite directions collide at Raymond James Stadium this weekend, as the Rutgers Scarlet Knights take on the South Florida Bulls in Big East action. After a slow start to the season, the Knights have finally found their swagger and have won three straight outings to pull within a game of .500 at 4-5. Last weekend, Rutgers took care of business in its own backyard, defeating Syracuse by a 35-17 score. With the triumph, the Knights improved to 3-2 within the conference and that is obviously better than their 1-3 ledger against non-league foes. As for USF, its season started with so much promise and there was even some talk about competing for a national championship. All of that talk, however, came to an end in October, when the program dropped three of its four games in the month. The Bulls were last in action on October 30th, when they were defeated by Cincinnati, 24-10, and knocked out of the Top 25. It was the second loss in a row for USF, which dipped to just 1-3 in the league. In respect to the all- time series, Rutgers owns a 2-1 edge over the Bulls and it has won the last two meetings, including a 30-27 triumph in 2007.

The Knights have scored 89 points over their last two outings, so the offense has certainly showed significant improvement. Last weekend, Rutgers used a balanced attack of 207 rushing yards and 276 passing to outlast Syracuse. Kordell Young headed the charge, as he toted 29 times for 143 yards and a touchdown. It was a terrific performance by Young, who has now rushed for a team-high 478 yards and five touchdowns in just five games this season. Quarterback Mike Teel continued his recent success last weekend, throwing for 276 yards, with three touchdowns and two picks. The talented gunslinger has struggled with interceptions (10) this season, but has fared well in throwing for 1,999 yards and 12 touchdowns. His main target is Kenny Britt, who leads the team with 60 catches, 821 yards and four touchdowns. Last weekend, Britt pulled in nine passes that went for 107 yards and a score.

For the most part, Rutgers' defense has been pretty sound this season and is holding foes to just 21.0 ppg and 327.3 total ypg. The unit has fared well against the pass (179.9 ypg), but has struggled to create turnovers, posting just seven thus far. In their last game, the Knights only managed one turnover, although that didn't matter much considering they limited Syracuse to just 168 total yards. The defense permitted just 35 of those yards through the air and came up with five sacks as well. Kevin Malast led the way with eight tackles, while Jamal Westerman had a pair of sacks. On the year, Malast tops the squad in tackles with 70 and Westerman leads the unit with six sacks.

The Bulls are averaging 30.9 ppg this season, but have managed a total of just 30 points over their last two contests. USF is also coming off its worst effort of the season, as it turned the ball over three times in a 24-10 loss to Cincinnati. The Bulls were limited to 356 total yards in the game, well below their season-average of 418.0 ypg. Quarterback Matt Grothe put forth an effort he would rather forget, completing only 13-of-31 tosses for 174 yards, with three interceptions. He also added 54 yards on the ground. It was a poor performance, but Grothe is certainly capable of so much better. On the season, he has not only completed 64.1 percent of his tosses for 2,070 yards, but he has also rushed for a team-best 343 yards. He has posted 17 total touchdowns (14 passing) against eight picks, and has basically carried this offense. Jessie Hester is his main outlet with 37 catches, while Taurus Johnson is a deep threat with 409 receiving yards.

On defense, USF has been pretty steady this season and is limiting opposing squads to 19.0 ppg and 282.4 total ypg. The Bulls have been especially stingy against the run, holding foes to 85.2 rushing ypg and just 2.7 yards per carry. The defense, though, has forced just 13 turnovers and recorded a modest 16 sacks and that hasn't been good enough up to this point. Against Cincinnati, USF was beat for 396 total yards, including 281 through the air. The defense did force three turnovers and even came up with two sacks, but it also allowed Cincinnati to convert an efficient 20-of-28 pass attempts. Tyrone McKenzie logged nine stops in the setback, while George Selvie posted three tackles and a fumble recovery. For the year, McKenzie leads the defense with 71 tackles and Selvie paces the team with five sacks and 11 TFLs.

Rutgers is playing with a lot of confidence right now, but USF is a solid team that has had quite some time to prepare for this game. The Bulls should come out energized and with a lot enthusiasm and that, along with a big game from Grothe, should help them come out on top.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: South Florida 30, Rutgers 16

Saturday, November 15th, 12:00 p.m. (et)