GAME NOTES: In what could be considered the biggest game in school history, the 18th-ranked South Florida Bulls host the fifth-ranked West Virginia in the Big East opener for both teams this Friday. The Bulls enter the contest with a good deal of confidence thanks to a perfect 3-0 start to the season. Included in those victories is a 26-23 overtime triumph at Auburn on September 8th that pushed USF into the Top 25 rankings for the first time in school history. The Bulls certainly were not content with their 23rd-ranking, as they pounded North Carolina, 37-10, last weekend to move up five spots in the polls. USF, which became a full-time member of the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2001, is the second fastest school ever to make an appearance in the Top 25 following their move to this level. As for WVU, it is no stranger to being ranked and it also comes into the contest undefeated at 4-0. The team was last in action this past weekend, when it punished East Carolina 48-7. It was the 26th win in the past 29 games by the Mountaineers, who are 12-2 against Big East opponents during that stretch. WVU and USF have split two previous meetings, but the Bulls won the most recent encounter, 24-19, in Morgantown last season.

With Steve Slaton in the backfield and Patrick White under center, the Mountaineers possess two of the most explosive players in the nation and they are the main reason why the team is averaging a hardy 47.2 ppg and an eye- popping 525.0 total ypg. The duo are the main threat in WVU's electric ground game, which is averaging a ridiculous 357.0 ypg on an impressive 7.2 yards per carry. Slaton, a legitimate contender for the Heisman Trophy, has been outstanding as expected, rushing for 502 yards and nine touchdowns in just four games. Slaton, who is averaging 6.0 yards per carry, is also a threat in the passing attack, catching seven balls for 115 yards and a touchdown. Speaking of passing, White has completed an efficient 71.0 percent of his throws for 617 yards, with six touchdowns and more importantly no interceptions. While White is a solid passer, he is at his best when the ball is tucked away, rushing for 286 yards and six touchdowns thus far. Last weekend, White rushed for 42 yards and two scores and Slaton paced the team with 110 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries, as WVU rolled up 397 rushing yards in a 48-7 win over East Carolina. White also had a big game throwing the ball, completing 18-of-20 pass attempts for 181 yards and two scores. His main outlet was Darius Reynaud, who pulled down five balls for 54 yards and two scores. Reynaud tends to get overshadowed by the ground game, but make no mistake about it, he is a dangerous receiver that leads the Mountaineers with 23 catches, 335 yards and four touchdowns.

The Mountaineers have held their own on the defensive side of the ball thus far, as they are limiting their foes to just 17.0 ppg and only 273.2 total ypg. The unit has suffocated opposing ground attacks, holding teams to a mere 87.0 rushing ypg. Getting to the quarterback has also been a strength of this defense, which has recorded 16 sacks in four games. Last weekend, WVU put forth one of its best performances of the season on defense, holding East Carolina to just 160 yards of total offense. The team recorded four sacks in the win and allowed East Carolina to convert just 2-of-10 third down attempts. Mortty Ivy turned in an all-around performance in the win, as he posted six tackles to go along with a sack, forced fumble and interception. He is currently one of three players on the roster with four sacks and he also ranks second in tackles with 29 for the season.

Although not as potent of an attack as their opponent, the Bulls have fared well on offense this season, averaging 30.3 ppg and 373.3 total ypg. The offense has done a solid job both running (154.7 ypg) and passing (218.7 ypg) the ball and has committed just five turnovers. Quarterback Matt Grothe is the key to this unit's success and he is having a solid year thus far. The versatile gunslinger has completed 60.4 percent of his tosses for 652 yards, with four touchdowns against no interceptions. He is also a threat to make plays with his legs, rushing for 88 yards and another touchdown. Last weekend, Grothe completed 17-of-30 throws for 230 yards and a touchdown, in addition to rushing for 35 yards in a 37-10 triumph over North Carolina. As a team, the Bulls rolled up 428 yards of total offense in the win, including 194 on the ground. Benjamin Williams paced the ground game with 64 yards and a score on 15 carries. He now has 117 rushing yards on the season and that is second to Mike Ford, who has accounted for 170 yards and four touchdowns. Ford was held to just 13 rushing yards and a touchdown on six carries last weekend, but he figures to play a bigger part in a much more important game this Saturday.

On the defensive side of the ball is where the Bulls' strength resides, as they are holding their opponents to only 15.3 ppg and a just 237.7 total ypg. The team has thrived against the run (79.0 ypg), but it has also had success versus the pass (158.7 ypg). Making big plays hasn't been a problem for this unit, which has recorded 11 turnovers (seven interceptions) and 12 sacks in just three games. Last weekend, USF not only held North Carolina to a mere 164 yards of total offense, but it also forced the Tar Heels into four interceptions. The team had no problems getting into the backfield either, sacking the quarterback on four occasions. George Selvie continued his tremendous start to the season, as registered three sacks and five TFLs in the win. One of the top pass rushers in the nation, Selvie has already posted 8.5 sacks and 14.5 TFLs this season.

This may be just the first league game of the season for both programs, but there is no downplaying the importance of this contest. WVU has yet to be stopped on offense, but it hasn't faced a defense like this. USF will surely benefit from its home crowd support and if its defense is as good as the hype surrounding it, expect the Bulls to pull off the major upset in this one.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: South Florida 31, West Virginia 27