USF's defense took a shot from N.C. State coach Tom O'Brien last week when he told reporters he saw no reason to consult with the Bulls about stopping the spread offense, as Ohio State and Colorado coaches did in the offseason after USF beat West Virginia for the second year in a row.

"Did you watch them against Oregon?" O'Brien asked, referencing the
Ducks' 56-21 trouncing of the Bulls in the Sun Bowl in El Paso. "Go
look at that game. That was the spread that they were defending. I'm
not saying anything about South Florida's defense, but if they're the
gurus, we'd better go somewhere else."

USF defensive coordinator Wally Burnham, asked about the quote Tuesday afternoon, laughed for a moment and said he agreed with O'Brien's statement, though he questioned the need for it.

"Here's the way I feel about it: He's right. We're not gurus," Burnham said. "On the other hand, we try to handle things professionally and not say anything ... with class, not say anything about anyone else's coaching staff. He can say what he wants to. The other thing, I forget what bowl game they were in. That's all I've got to say."

N.C. State, of course, lost its last two games last season to finish 5-7.