Charlie Strong’s first football game as USF head coach will take him clear across the country.

The 19th ranked Bulls take on San Jose State in just the program's second-ever trip to California.

"This is where is all begins and this is where it all counts," said Strong at his weekly media availability Tuesday.

San Jose State went 4-8 last year and has a first year head coach.  USF is coming of a record setting season and owns their highest preseason ranking in team history.

"Everybody’s gonna be watching," said senior running back D'Ernest Johnson.  "Everybody’s happy that college football is back."

The team might be the happiest of all.  Game preparation is back.  A grueling 21-practice camp is over.

"Everyday we coming out there bringing it to each other," said Johnson.  "It’s competitive.  It was one of the toughest camps I’ve been through.”

And that’s saying something from a guy nicknamed "Junkyard Dog".  

"He throws a lot at us," said senior defensive tackle and Robinson High School grad Bruce Hector about Johnson.  "Everyone calls him Junkyard Dog.  He can do anything."

Except be someone he isn’t.  Senior running back D’Ernest Johnson is not Colts rookie and three-time 1,000-yard rusher Marlon Mack.  Nor is he trying to be.

"Marlon set the standard," said D'Ernest.  "He set the standards pretty high.  I’m just trying to go out there and be the best D’Ernest Johnson I can be."

"Marlon was a speed guy who could really outrun you," said Strong.  

"With D’Ernest it may not be a long run, but it can be a 9-yarder.  Then there goes another 12-yarder. There goes a 15-yarder and then boom he may go break it."

A solid option for a team with massive preseason hype.  They are picked to win the American Conference and there are even whispers of a possible undefeated season.

"You know it great that everyone has high expectations for us, but we have high expectations for ourselves, also," said Hector.

"Right now is good that everyone is recognizing our hard work that we put in over the summer and last year," said D'Ernest.  "But this is a new year and we just gotta keep it moving."

"You know, I told them we gotta welcome those expectations, but also we have to be smart about them," said Strong.  "It’s not where you start, but it’s where you finish."

Last year the team finished with a program record 11-wins.  

Surpassing that starts Saturday at 7:30 on the West Coast.