The Bulls' defense needs revamping and a New Years Six game is Strong possibility: University of South Florida 2017 Season Preview

Charlie Strong inherited a Cadillac at the University of South Florida.

The Bulls' head coach gets a senior quarterback, who's a Heisman candidate, that amassed 4,342 total yards last season.

By himself.

He has a utility running back capable of  breaking one big either running or catching the football.

He gets a speedster at wide receiver who averaged nearly 19 yards a catch.

USF scored 73 offensive touchdowns in 2016, averaging 511 yards a game.

Strong's offense is strong, but he also inherited a lemon.

While the Bulls' offense is loaded with talent and playmakers across the board, its defense was a turnstile in 2016. Strong inherits a defense ranked 120th - allowing 482 yards per game and nearly 32 points.

If USF wants to be considered a good program and if they want to compete with the likes of its in-state rivals, it needs to change the culture of its porous defense.

And that's Strong's specialty.

During the 2009 season, Louisville ranked 65th in total defense - allowing 26 points per game. Strong took over in 2010 and completely overhauled the Cardinals' defense - allowing 19 points per game and jumping up to 18th nationally.

In Strong's final year at Louisville, the Cardinals defeated the Florida Gators 33-23 in the Sugar Bowl with a stifling defense ranked first in the nation.

And he did it all with lesser talent than the so-called "big dogs." This should excite USF fan.

If Strong can do in his first year at USF what he did at Louisville there's no doubt this team can go undefeated considering it's strength of schedule.

Sorry, USF fan, but it's the truth. The Bulls play nobody and it's the reason a New Years Six Bowl looks promising, but not the Playoffs. The committee would never take USF over, say, a two-loss ACC Champion in Clemson or two-loss SEC Champion in Alabama. Not until stronger opponents are scheduled. Don't believe me? See the 2015 Houston Cougars.

But like the 2015 Cougar team that defeated Florida State in the Peach Bowl, the Bulls, too, can reach a New Years Six Bowl and beat a notable opponent gaining notoriety for its program.

Or, like that Cougar team, the Bulls will lose its head coach for a shinier garage.