Rob Carr / AP

South Florida coach Jim Leavitt has taken the 18th-ranked Bulls on a quite a journey in the 11-year history of the program. The Bulls face No. 5 West Virginia in a Big East showdown on Friday.

The program’s early days are filled with such stories. But its recent history is dotted by eye-catching success.

In 2001, in its first full I-A season, 22-point underdog South Florida won at Pittsburgh 35-26. In 2005, in its first Big East game, South Florida toppled high-flying and No. 9-ranked Louisville 45-14. Last season in Morgantown, W.Va., the Bulls stunned No. 7 West Virginia 24-19, limited Mountaineers running back Steve Slaton to 43 yards on 18 carries.  

On Sept. 8, the Bulls went to No. 17 Auburn, an SEC stronghold, and came home with a 26-23 overtime victory (which might have been clinched much earlier, had it not been for four missed field-goal attempts).

This isn’t a quick-fix program. Leavitt has done it right. The foundation is solid.

Everyone knows about Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, but more people should look about 120 miles south, to watch the state’s other sophomore quarterback. South Florida’s Matt Grothe is an exceptional leader and playmaker.

Sophomore defensive lineman George Selvie, a converted center, leads the nation with 8.5 sacks and he’s the reigning National Defensive Player of the Week.

Used to be, South Florida coaches had to describe its program to blue-chip recruits, most of whom were focused on the state’s Big Three (Florida, Florida State, Miami). Now the recruits are calling South Florida — unprompted.

Miami just agreed to a long-term series with South Florida. The Gators are on a future schedule, along with other BCS schools in a home-and-home arrangement. South Florida, like other growing programs, used to go on the road for money games. No more. That’s not how big-time programs operate.

College football Two-man race with Tebow, McFadden

And Leavitt isn’t crazy. He was right. He’s at home at South Florida, an 11th-year program where the biggest goals are possible.

Q: Anything to keep an eye on during this weeks games involving LSU, Florida, Oklahoma and Texas before those schools square off in the two crucial games on Oct. 6?
-- Michael Deddon from Talladega, Ala.
A: Let’s take ‘em one at a time, Michael, in descending degree of difficulty.

• Auburn at Florida: Ah, the revenge game. Florida won last season’s national title, but its only defeat occurred at Auburn. So this game is a natural. If only Auburn could keep up its end of the bargain. The Tigers (2-2) are limping into The Swamp, where Coach Urban Meyer remains undefeated. That will continue. Prediction: Florida 28, Auburn 20.
• Kansas State at Texas: Ah, the OTHER revenge game. K-State dropped Texas 45-42 last season, just when the Longhorns seemed to be hitting their rhythm. The Wildcats won’t be up to the task this time. Longhorns quarterback Colt McCoy is due for a big performance. Prediction: Texas 26, Kansas State 17.
• Oklahoma at Colorado: In its last 25 Big 12 road games, Oklahoma is 21-4. In its last seven games before facing Texas, Oklahoma is 7-0 (with the average margin of victory at 24 points). In its last two meetings with Colorado, Oklahoma has outscored the Buffaloes 66-6. Just spitballing here, but the numbers appear to favor Oklahoma. Prediction: Oklahoma 35, Colorado 6.
• LSU at Tulane: Don’t be fooled by the game site. This will probably be an LSU home game. LSU has beaten Tulane 15 straight times. Expect a shock-and-awe campaign by the Tigers. Prediction: LSU 48, Tulane 0.

Bottom line?

We can safely expect the importance of Oklahoma-Texas and Florida-LSU to be preserved. Consider it the coming attractions of a weekend that could very well shape the national-championship race.

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