Surprising South Florida likes being perceived as a team that nobody wants in the BCS.

''We feed off that,'' reserve cornerback D'Juan Brown said Saturday after returning an interception for a touchdown to help the host Bulls beat Cincinnati 31-16 for their third consecutive Big East win.

``I kind of like coming in as an underdog and just getting it done. . . . There's no stopping us right now.''

Big East rushing leader Andre Hall went over 1,000 yards for the season and scored his 15th touchdown, and USF (6-3, 4-1) forced two third-quarter turnovers to transform a close game into a rout.

In addition to becoming bowl eligible with its sixth victory, USF stayed on course for a possible showdown with No. 13 West Virginia for the Big East's automatic spot in the lucrative Bowl Championship Series.

If the Bulls win at Connecticut next Saturday and defeat West Virginia at home Dec. 3, USF would be assured of at least a tie for the conference title and represent the league in the BCS.

''That'll mess up the nation for a little bit,'' Hall said. ``That's what I want to do.''

• Central Florida 31, Rice 28: Steven Moffett threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Marshall with 1:25 left, giving visiting Central Florida a victory and a spot in the Conference USA title game a year after going winless.

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