Advertise on podcast: 4th AND BULL

The USF Bulls defense showed signs of life, but is the offense becoming a bigger concern? On this episode of 4th & Bull, Nick Wize breaks down CJ Hicks’ incredible 96-yard fumble return and why it was the defining momentum swing of the game. Plus, why the defense looks more comfortable with extra preparation time and what that means heading into the Thursday night matchup with Memphis. Nick also weighs in on the debate surrounding the USF-UCF rivalry and the controversial two-for-one scheduling proposal. As a college football fan, he wants rivalries to matter again, but understands why USF might not be willing to accept the deal.And finally, it’s time for a serious conversation about Brian Hartline and the Bulls’ struggling offense. Is the pro-style system too complex for a roster filled with transfers? Does Hartline need to adapt his approach? Nick explains why the offensive struggles go beyond Tim Beck.

On this episode of 4th & Bull, TJ Rives who will be calling the game on ESPN + joins Nick Wize to break down USF’s matchup with Kent State. What do the Bulls need to do to take care of business, who are the key players to watch, and where can USF exploit the Golden Flashes? We dive into Kent State’s biggest strengths and weaknesses and what the Bulls must do on both sides of the ball to get the job done.Plus, we tackle the bigger question surrounding the program: Are playoff and conference championship expectations fair for a first-year head coach? With expectations rising at USF, is it reasonable to demand immediate results, or does a new coaching staff deserve time to build? We debate the standard Bulls fans should have, what progress should look like, and whether anything short of a championship run should be considered a disappointment. Subscribe to 4th & Bull for USF football analysis, interviews, game previews, recaps, and everything Bulls fans need to know! 4th AND BULL is Presented by BlueTerra.

Bryson Rodgers Joins 4th & Bull | Breaking Down USF vs. UTSA USF wide receiver Bryson Rodgers joins Nick Wize on 4th & Bull to break down the Bulls’ matchup against UTSA, including his 42-yard touchdown, a missed opportunity in the passing game, and the offense’s struggles to maintain consistency for four quarters. Rodgers discusses what changed after halftime, and what the offense needs to improve to create more opportunities for its playmakers. Bryson also discusses how the Bulls handle the pressure of high expectations as they look to get back on track after 2 losses. 4th AND BULL is Presented by BlueTera (BlueTerra.US)

The USF Bulls have officially underachieved, and the frustration is growing after the loss to UTSA. We break down what went wrong, why expectations have changed under Brian Hartline, and whether this season has become a disappointment. Plus, Tim Beck remains under fire as the offense stalls in the second half, the run defense completely falls apart, and missed opportunities cost USF another game. We also revisit Hartline’s comments about UTSA’s stadium, question the Roadrunners’ attendance despite $9 tickets, and call out the AAC and ESPN for scheduling the game against two NFL matchups. All that and more on 4th & Bull Presented by BlueTerra for mor information go to BlueTerra.us

USF vs. UTSA is here, and there’s plenty to talk about, including why Brian Hartline is taking shots at UTSA and its stadium when the Bulls have plenty of their own issues to worry about. We also react to the Brandon Rodgers social-media post about Bryson Rodgers. On the field, UTSA’s defense presents an interesting matchup. The Roadrunners are giving up more than 400 yards per game, and Texas didn’t inflate those numbers. They’re also committing more than 10 penalties per game and allowing more than 200 rushing yards per game. Nick Wize previews the big Thursday Night matchup between these 2 American Conference teams. 4th AND BULL is Presented by Blue Terra (BlueTerra.US)

USF Defensive End C.J. Hicks joins 4th & Bull to break down the Bulls’ tough loss to Temple and look ahead to UTSA. Hicks gives his perspective on a defense that held Temple to just 17 points, the mentality inside the locker room after a game USF had opportunities to win, and the plays that kept the Bulls in it until the end. He also discusses his fumble recovery, why this defense has developed a knack for making plays in critical moments. We also look ahead to UTSA. Hicks addresses the comments made by Brian Hartline surrounding the Alamodome, what the Roadrunners do well offensively, and what USF's defense needs to be ready for. Plus, with the Bulls off this Saturday, does C.J. Hicks actually get to sit back and watch some college football? 4th AND BULL is Presented by Blue Terra (BlueTerra.US)

The Bulls are 4-1, but there are plenty of questions surrounding an offense that continues to struggle early in games. Nick Wize breaks down the biggest storylines, starting with whether Brian Hartline expected this offense to have this many issues when he took over.Why does the defense keep having to carry this team? USF has now gone back-to-back games without scoring a first-half touchdown, and the slow starts are becoming a trend that can’t be ignored. Nick also takes a closer look at Michael Van Buren Jr. Is the quarterback uncomfortable in the pocket because of MVB, the offensive line, the play calling or a combination of all three? And what about Tim Beck? A couple of third-down decisions stood out, raising the question: Does Beck trust Van Buren to throw the football, or is this simply an execution problem? Meanwhile, the defense is starting to develop an identity of its own. Major Dillard, Amarion Fortenberry and C.J. Hicks continue to make impact plays and look like the foundation of a defense that may be ahead of the offense right now. Plus, what needs to change for USF to take the next step?

USF is 4-0, but the next seven days could tell us everything we need to know about the Bulls. First up is a 1-3 Temple team that may be more dangerous than its record suggests. The Owls bring a physical rushing attack, averaging 220.2 yards per game, along with a quarterback in Ajani Sheppard who can hurt defenses both through the air and on the ground. Nick Wize explains why this is a game USF cannot afford to overlook, why the Bulls desperately need a faster start, and whether their fourth-quarter dominance is a sign of toughness or a troubling trend. Against FBS opponents, USF is averaging just 4.33 points in the first half while outscoring teams 58-16 in the fourth quarter. With UTSA waiting next week, consistency is becoming the biggest question surrounding this USF team. Can the Bulls put together four complete quarters, slow down Temple's rushing attack, and avoid another slow start? Plus, Nick gives his prediction for USF vs. Temple. 4th AND BULL is Presented by Blue Terra

USF running back D.J. Crowther joins 4th & Bull after the Bulls’ 14-6 win over Bowling Green to talk about grinding through an offensive struggle and finding a way to finish. Crowther discusses what the mindset was inside the offense after being held scoreless for three quarters, how the running game stayed patient despite limited early success, and what changed when the big plays finally started coming in the fourth quarter. He also talks about what it says about USF’s resiliency to put together two touchdown drives late in a game where the offense never felt like it was at its best. Crowther opens up about the message in the locker room after the win. He also explains why he chose USF after starting his career at Dartmouth and what it's like preparing for a Saturday game before turning around for a massive Thursday night matchup. USF is 4-0. D.J. Crowther is a big reason why.

USF is 4-0, but is it time to adjust our expectations for the Bulls? Nick Wize breaks down USF’s ugly win over Bowling Green and asks the question: If you knew before kickoff that the Bulls would throw for just 52 yards, lose the time-of-possession battle and turn the ball over twice, would you have predicted a USF victory? The offense continues to run through DJ Crowther and the running game, but how much can USF overcome with the current state of the offensive line? Is it fair to put the blame on Tim Beck, or are there only so many things an offensive coordinator can do when his offensive line is struggling? Nick also discusses why he believes USF is not running the table, why he hasn't put the Bulls in his Top 25, and what the realistic ceiling is for this team. Could USF win the American? And the biggest red flag? The line of scrimmage. Bowling Green bullied USF’s offensive line, while the Bulls’ defensive line struggled outside of Myles Bradley. BGSU’s Myles Bradley was a major problem all night, making the physical battle up front impossible to ignore. USF is 4-0. But what exactly are the Bulls right now and what do they need to fix before the schedule gets tougher?

Nick Wize is joined by USF Bulls Radio Pregame Host Rock Riley. The Bulls are heading to Bowling Green for a road matchup with the Falcons, and there are plenty of reasons to expect an interesting game plan from both sides. Brian Hartline had a great quote when asked about traveling to Bowling Green for their Homecoming: “We’re going on a business trip, so I really don’t have a whole lot of warm and fuzzy feelings when it comes to traveling anywhere.” The message is clear — USF is treating this like business. We break down the matchup, including why USF could lean heavily on the running game against a Bowling Green defense that is giving up a staggering 295.7 rushing yards per game. The Falcons' defensive line has also been their biggest weakness, creating an opportunity for the Bulls to establish the run. We also discuss why we expect Bowling Green to try to attack USF through the air, especially after some issues in the Bulls' secondary last week. Could this game have a similar strategic feel to the FIU matchup? Not necessarily the same score or stat line, but the way the two teams approach the game could look very familiar. USF vs. Bowling Green. We break down the matchup, the numbers, the game plan and what the Bulls need to do to come home with a win.

USF linebacker Zavier Hamilton joins Nick Wize on 4th & Bull to talk about his journey from Gulf Breeze to Tampa, why he chose the Bulls despite major offers from Arkansas, LSU, Auburn, Notre Dame and Florida State, and how much he’s enjoying life off the field in Tampa. Zavier breaks down what changed defensively after halftime against Delaware State, how USF responded after giving up a 90-yard touchdown and 50-yard run, and what the Bulls’ defense has done so well on third down. He also looks ahead to Bowling Green and discusses what the Falcons do well offensively. Plus, Zavier reflects on the dramatic final drive against Army, celebrates his first career sack against the Black Knights, explains what it’s like when Josh Aldridge calls his number as a pass rusher, and talks about how Aldridge has helped take his game to another level. We also get to know Zavier away from football — his Gulf Breeze sports roots, his preference for noon vs. night games, what a typical gameday looks like, the reality of a normal day for a college football player, and his experience learning to play the piano.

USF is 3-0, but are there some red flags hiding behind the undefeated record? On this episode of 4th & Bull, Nick Wize recaps USF’s win over Delaware State and breaks down the game by the numbers. We look at what went right, what didn’t, and the areas that could become problems as the schedule gets tougher. Plus, a listener asks the question: Should USF be ranked? We discuss what the Bulls have accomplished through three games and what still needs to improve before they’re viewed as a legitimate ranked team. We also dive into the biggest stats, trends, performances and storylines from the Delaware State game and what they could mean for USF moving forward.

Nick Wize previews USF’s Week 3 matchup with Delaware State and is joined by TJ Rives, who will be on the call for ESPN+ Saturday night. TJ shares his perspective on the Bulls, what he’s seen from USF through the first two games, and what makes this matchup interesting. He also talks about his conversation with DeSean Jackson the head coach of the Deleware State program. Plus, we take a bigger-picture look at the win over Army and why that victory could be so important for USF beyond just Week 2. What can a win like that do for the Bulls’ confidence, belief, momentum and expectations as the season moves forward? In this episode: USF vs. Delaware State preview TJ Rives joins 4th & Bull TJ’s conversation with DeSean Jackson What to expect from the Bulls Saturday night Why the Army win could have a lasting impact on USF Building confidence and momentum early in the season What USF needs to accomplish in Week 3 Subscribe to 4th & Bull for USF football interviews, game previews, postgame reaction and conversations surrounding Bulls football.

USF wide receiver Joshua Porter joins Nick Wize on 4th & Bull after the Bulls’ dramatic 28-24 comeback victory over Army! Porter takes us inside the final 81-yard drive, including the game-winning 38-yard touchdown with just 23 seconds remaining. What was going through his mind when he saw the ball go up? Did he know USF was going to take a shot against Army’s Cover Zero? And did the Bulls really think they were kicking a field goal before that final play? Porter also discusses catching three passes on the final drive, what changed offensively during the fourth-quarter comeback, spending long stretches on the sideline in the first half, and what he believes the offense is beginning to figure out after two games. Then we get to know Joshua Porter away from football — his favorite Tampa food spot, what he does on his days off, which teammate he wouldn’t trust to babysit his kid.