Elon @ South Florida preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 1, 2007 ) Elon University 13, South Florida 28

South Florida unveils a new backfield corps on offense and replaces several key departed starters on the defensive side of the ball when it opens the 2018 season with a visit from FCS foe Elon on Saturday night. The Bulls must fill the spots left by productive quarterback Quinton Flowers and two running backs, a group that combined for 2,817 yards and 29 touchdowns on the ground in 2017.

Second-year USF coach Charlie Strong hopes to see players emerge from a deep and talented, if not experienced, cast of running backs and former Alabama quarterback Blake Barnett gets the start behind center after a three-way battle for the position. “I think I’ve been picking (the offense) up pretty quick,” Barnett told the Tampa Bay Times. “Everyone’s had a fair shot, everyone’s had equal reps. We’re just all trying to apply ourselves and do as best we can to make this team productive.” The Bulls lose two key lineman, their all-time leading tackler at linebacker and two top defensive backs from last year’s team and should be challenged by a talented Elon offense. The Phoenix made the FCS playoffs for the first time since 2009 last season, led by Colonial Athletic Association offensive Rookie of the Year Davis Cheek (2,431 yards, 15 TDs passing) at quarterback.

TV: 6 p.m. ET, ESPN3. LINE: No Line

ABOUT ELON (2017: 8-4): Cheek completed 58.8 percent of his passes in his freshman campaign with eight interceptions in 12 games and returns his top receiver Kortez Weeks, who hauled in 60 passes for 709 yards last season as a freshman. Senior Malcolm Summers ran for 755 yards in six games before an injury ended his season in 2017 and is back to lead the way on the ground along with junior De’Sean McNair (663 yards) and sophomore Brelynd Cyphers (476). Senior linebacker Warren Messer (114 tackles, 5.5 sacks) leads a defense that returns nine starters - matching the total on offense.

ABOUT SOUTH FLORIDA (2017: 10-2): Barnett started for Alabama in its season opener against USC back in 2016 and completed 5-of-6 passes for 100 yards with a touchdown, but was replaced by Jalen Hurts before eventually transferring to Arizona State. Junior Brett Kean and sophomore Chris Oladokun may also get a shot at quarterback, throwing to a solid group of receivers led by senior Tyre McCants (36 catches, 686 yards in 2017). Senior cornerback Mazzi Wilkins returns after recording three of the team’s 20 interceptions last year and Strong told reporters there is a lot of depth on the defensive line.

EXTRA POINTS

1. USF junior RB Trevon Sands ran for 111 yards last year, the most of any player returning.

2. The Bulls defeated Elon 28-13 in their only meeting in 2007 and the Phoenix are 0-9 versus FBS opponents overall.

3. USF TE Mitchell Wilcox (17 receptions in 2017) has been slowed by an upper-body injury, but is expected to play Saturday.

PREDICTION: South Florida 47, Elon 14