The moment is here for USF head coach Willie Taggart

TAMPA -- For Willie Taggart, the moment is finally here.

It's mid-November and his University of South Florida football team is playing meaningful games for the first time since he took over the program in 2013.

"This is what we all want, to be playing for something this time of year," the former Manatee High quarterback great said this week. "That's why we coach, that's why we play and that's the way we want it."

USF plays host to Temple, 21st in the College Football Playoff Rankings, in a game that has major playoff implications and could put one of the teams in the American Athletic Conference

championship game.

Temple (8-1, 5-0) can win the AAC East Division with a victory. If the Bulls (5-4, 3-2) win, they have a chance for division title. The Owls still have to play No. 22 Memphis in a game that could go either way.

USF is also one victory away from becoming bowl eligible for the first time since 2010. It's a huge step for the program, which won only four games last year in Taggart's second season.

"It's going to be one heck of a ballgame, two teams playing for something very important," Taggart said. "It's exciting. You feel like you are headed in the right direction. Now it's on us to make sure we show up and show out."

It's been a tough journey for the Bulls. They started the season 1-3, but have won four of their last five after quarterback Quinton Flowers was given the freedom to use his dual threat skills. The sophomore is USF's second-leading rusher, with 657 yards, and is without a doubt the engine that makes the Bulls go.

USF made this matchup meaningful by escaping with a 22-17 road victory over East Carolina last week. The Bulls' offense struggled, but the defense kept them in the game until Flowers uncorked a 67-yard touchdown pass to Rodney Adams in the fourth quarter for the winning score.

"We got ourselves in this position and we still haven't played our best," Taggart said. "I think that's what is exciting for us and what motivates us each week."

Attendance has been sparse for the Bulls at Raymond James Stadium this season, but Taggart has been drumming up support to get a big crowd out there for the Temple game, which kicks off at 7 p.m.

When the Bulls were an up-and-coming Division I program, they enjoyed big crowds for their homes games.

"I want to see what it's like. I heard about it before when I wasn't here, when it's live. I want to get it back that way," Taggart said. "Get the Bay back live like it's supposed to be. I know one thing about Ray Jay: When it's rocking it's hard for any opponent to come in here and play. That's how we need it Saturday night."

The game could be determined by how USF's surging offense does against Temple's defense, which is allowing 18.4 points per game.

USF has not beaten a ranked team since 2011, when it topped Notre Dame on the road.

The Bulls rank 22nd in the FBS, averaging 217 rushing yards per game. Marlon Mack has five 100-yard rushing games under his belt this season, but in last five games Flowers has been the key factor on offense.

Temple's only loss is to Notre Dame and a big part of the Owls' success has been due to gaining 22 turnovers, including 15 interceptions. On the flip side, USF is 25th nationally with only 11 turnovers lost.

Temple was a struggling program that gradually improved and went 6-6 last season. The Bulls have never played the Owls in an AAC game, but want to emulate their success.

"It's going to be the best defense we've faced probably since Florida State," Taggart said. "It's going to be challenge for our football team, but we're excited about it,"

This story was originally published November 13, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "The moment is here for USF head coach Willie Taggart ."