Jim Johnson

We have made a number of changes in the scheme this year. Before this year, when was the last time you saw an I formation at USF? When Barnhardt was QB? We are also running more than in the past -- capitalizing on Hall, Crossley, and the size of our OL. We also used tight ends quite a bit both last night and against T Tech - tight ends! Losing Fisher after recruiting may have been part of the problem -- but we will have some decent QB's next year. To be sure there are still problems - how can you run the ball out of the shotgun? how can you have receivers run patterns that are short of the first down marker? how can you not use play actions effectively? - - Mike Hobbie has to be on the hot seat. He makes the decisions to go deep on 3rd and 2... but it's really not all his fault. PJ and RB simply can not execute. They should be benched. Gachette or Severino could not do any worse!! (Hey Coach Smith -- can you do something, PLEASE?!?!?) Moreover, how on earth can we have THREE penalties on one kick off return?? The only "good" thing about that was that SC recovered a fumble on the same play, so they didn't count. And why on earth is Trey Williams playing so much. He was burned on two long TD passes AND he had a personal foul play that negated a GREAT return by Gipson. Discipline is a problem. Too bad CJL can't go back to two-a-days - darn NCAA regulations. If USF doesn't turn this around soon - there will be problems. A losing season before going to the Big East will have big problems on ticket sales. A losing season before going to the Big East will have big problems on recruiting. As Vince Lombardi said ... "winning isn't everything, it's the only thing" -- Amen. Offensive Touchdowns: 2 Defensive Touchdowns: 1 Points for: 24 Points agains: 41 530 yards of offense for South Carolina

It's not about how many people will watch, but how much $$ the conference wants... My guess is the SEC wanted too much $$ for the rights to the game -- and because the SEC works with ESPN as to which games it broadcasts. Blame the SEC administration for this blunder. Although, CSS apparently will re-broadcast the at 3:330 game tomorrow. CSS is a southern sports channel - and is available on DirectTV or Dish Network - if you order the right "sports" package. (http://www.dishsmart.com/channels.html). Go Bulls! I'll be listening on the radio and on-line in the chat room.

Thunderstruck for Bulls ? It worked for the Lightning when they used it as their intro to the 3rd period their first few seasons... but for Bulls? Get It Started wasn't a bad intro - played it at T. Tech. Of course, I am always partial to the Darth Vader theme from Star Wars... (I mean the orchestral version - you get more depth when you have string instruments playing it along with the horns & woodwinds).

Brad, Media outlets also rate Louisville and Cincinnati ahead of us as well -- we'll just have to prove them all wrong! I can't wait for my first trip back to the Carrier Dome in Syracuse. (I grew up in Rochester, NY)... gonna make the USF-SU game trip my road game each year they play in NY. I can't wait to play in the Big East!

The tide turned at Bama when Banks threw a pass that slipped thoguht Huey's hands, into the hands of a Bama defender who took it to the house. Banks went on to throw a couple more INT's if memory serves correct. If Julmiste/Banks can eliminate interceptions, then we might be able to pull this off. Conditioning shouldn't be a problem. 7:00pm in Columbia will be cooler and less humid than 7:00pm in Tampa (much less than 2:00pm in Tuscaloosa.)

Reading these bolsters my belief that USF will win... If USC had a tough time with Georgia's stunting D-line, then they will have a problem with USF's. While the D-line is small, they are fast. And the Tampa Bay Bucs proved that a small, fast D-line is just as good if not better than a big, powerful D-line. If USF can limit turnovers - i.e. no INTERCEPTIONS (other than say a hail mary at the end of the first half) - the Bulls should do well. Our special teams dominance should give us the edge in field position - especially if they can not kick long field goals. The Offensive Coodinator needs to open up the pass - try a few down the field once the run is established. I don't remember very many long passes (other than one or two overthrown by Banks) in the T. Tech game. But if these reports are how the S.C. - leaning papers see the game, then USF is in better shape than we thought. Go Bulls! Beat the Cocks!

Is that a positive comment from LOB ? ? ? I would have thought LOB would have said... USF = **** Blocked Considering your posts.

Excellent point, BeastieBull. To put it in other words: If you keep doing what you're doing, you'll keep getting what you're getting.

Will Ivan still have anything left??

Bullman... Let us know if you are successful in getting it. Elmer's (Bull Backers Watch Party location) called both DirectTV and their own service provider and was told that he could not get that game.

Not that it may make a difference... at kickoff, the center of Tropical Depression Ivan will be located near Charlotte, NC - moving Southwest toward Georgia...

Glad to see that -- could change, but good weather is better for all -- less chance of an injury, and easier for our D to dominate. I'm happy to be wrong in my earlier posts. Go Bulls!

USF Bulls 24-22 (Defense scores a TD) 267 Sheffield Okay... with the new forecast (thanks SC Bull) - the weather shoudln't be a factor. Something to watch, but I have changed my prediction based on the weather. Go Bulls! Beat the Cocks!

Okay... ET = $8 ( 7 PA & 1 Def Score) Velcrogrip = $1 (1 Def Score) S. Bien = $16 (1 Def Score, 1 INT, 5 sacks) I'll match Velcorgrip as well... so count me in for $1. WEEK 1 TOTAL = $26

Bear in mind that it involves all conferences... The ACC and Big East need to work out the BC issue... The Big East and C-USA need to work out the Louisville, Cincy, and USF issues C-USA and the MAC need to work out Marshall and UCF C-USA and the WAC need to work out Rice, SMU, and Tulsa WAC and the Sun Belt need to work out Utah State and New Mexico State... If the Sun Belt says no, the rest of the chain could be broken...

Because they could be shut out of the BCS - or relegated to the same rules that would have applied to TCU = Top 6 only... At the very least, an ND BCS appearance will not garner a full share under the next contract... Also, the next TV contract will not be as lucrative because the team will not be as successful = viewers will not turn in for a Notre Dame team that can barely go 6-6 every year... Finall, joining a conference provides extra revune through shared bowl payouts... that could be the difference... Truthfully, the Big East might be willing to allow Notre Dame to have their TV contract seperate from the Big East TV contract... the Big Ten, however, would want Notre Dame to be included in the conference package (which would be worth more), so the Big Ten means a loss of revenue while the Big East could be a gain...

The BCS might make it for them: From the Boston Globe --

VG - UConn won as well...

Notice that South Florida is the LARGEST school in the Big East!! Not hard to do since we are in the Top 15 in the country...

Not sure if Pitt will be looking "back" to their home game against Nebraska... they play the week BEFORE USF... However, that might be an emotional win for them -- will they get it back in time for USF the next week??

From the Syracuse Post-Standard: Orange prepares for third big test Syracuse will try to reverse a trend of losing to a top team following an easy win. November 10, 2003 By Dave Rahme Staff writer Twice before during this up-and-down Syracuse University football season, the Orangemen tuned up for a conference heavyweight on the road with an impressive victory at home. SU coach Paul Pasqualoni, fresh off his 100th career victory while working the Orange sideline, and his staff can only hope the third time is a charm. The first two were anything but. The Orangemen (5-3 overall, 2-2 Big East) followed a 34-7 cruiser over Toledo with a 51-7 clunker at Virginia Tech. Their response to an impressive 39-14 victory over Boston College was an unimpressive 34-14 loss at Pittsburgh. Now, they will try to ride the momentum of Saturday's 41-17 victory over Temple to the shores of Miami Beach, where they have been swamped by a cumulative score of 104-13 by the Hurricanes since Donovan McNabb led the Orangemen to a 33-13 decision in 1997. It was SU's lone victory in the Orange Bowl in the 12-year history of the Big East football conference, and it came at a time Miami was reeling under heavy NCAA sanctions. Miami is an unlikely venue for the Orangemen to find the missing 2 in their 1-2 punch, even though the Hurricanes lost their second consecutive game Saturday and are suddenly struggling mightily on offense. "I'm sure losing to Tennessee (10-6) will only add fuel to the fire," Pasqualoni said. "I'm just going to enjoy this win," junior tailback Walter Reyes said, and come Monday prepare to play a great Miami team at home. They're going to be hungry, of course." And Syracuse usually provides a feast, losing its last four games overall against the Hurricanes by 179-20. There are signs, though, that this SU team should be able to present a more formidable fight than its four predecessors. For instance: Run and done.Since Virginia Tech embarrassed them by rushing for 337 yards in a 51-7 victory on Oct. 11, the Orangemen have allowed 208 rushing yards total in their last three games (69.3 yards per game) and have not allowed a 100-yard rushing game. After the Tech game, they were allowing 172.6 rushing yards per game, which compounded the problems in their young secondary. That number is down to 133.9 yards per game now, thanks to superb work inside by senior tackles Christian Ferrara and Louis Gachelin and senior middle linebacker Richie Scanlon and better tackling all-around. The improved tackling was especially evident in the secondary Saturday, where Temple receivers were generally planted shortly after catching the ball. The Owls turned two short fourth-quarter receptions into long TDs via missed tackles in engineering their 17-16 upset of SU last season. This time, they averaged only 5.4 yards per pass attempt (8 yards is the goal SU sets for an efficient passing attack). A stronger pass rush has complemented the stingier run defense. Held without a sack for the first three games, SU has a respectable 13 in its last five. If the Orangemen can shut down Miami's ground game, which will be minus star tailback Frank Gore, and force erratic quarterback Brock Berlin to try to beat them with his arm, they have a shot. Tough up front.For the first time in Pasqualoni's 13 years as head coach, the offensive line is clearly the No. 1 strength on an SU football team. Two-thirds of the way into the season, there can be no disputing that assessment. Saturday, the line pounded away at a Temple defense that stacked eight or nine players close to the line of scrimmage in order to stop the run and produced 232 rushing yards. The going was often tough, but eventually the effort paid off. It also allowed only one sack to a defense that was leading the league in that category, with 19. The line has allowed a league-low seven sacks in eight games. Its protection allowed R.J. Anderson to find Rashard Williams for a 43-yard completion in the second quarter - giving Miami something to think about other than Johnnie Morant this week - and helped him average 11.1 yards per pass attempt. Anderson, who completed only 38.9 percent of his passes (8-for-17) at Pitt, sat in the pocket and completed a season-high 80 percent (16-for-20) against the Owls. Veteran offensive coordinator George DeLeone defines ideal offensive balance as 200 yards rushing and 200 yards passing a game. SU is a little better than that at running the ball (216.1 yards per game) and a little worse at passing it (173 yards per game), but it is in the ballpark. If the Orangemen can establish a balanced attack Saturday, they have a chance against the Hurricanes. The line, with an assist from the fullbacks and tight ends, has the ability to provide one. The ratio.Take a look at any college football game this season, and you will discover that turnover ratio is the determining factor in the vast majority of them. There is so much parity right now, that no team can afford to give away the ball and expect to win. This SU team has turned over the ball only 10 times in eight games (seven fumbles, three interceptions). Anderson's lone interception Saturday was a freebie, as he tried to go deep just before the half and failed to get enough air under the ball. No harm there. If the Orangemen can hang onto the ball Saturday and win the turnover battle, they should have a shot. There are disturbing weaknesses, to be sure. The pass defense is still suspect, and special teams have been burned by blocked punts and some long returns. And there is still a question of whether SU can move the ball effectively in the air when a foe shuts down the ground game. But a recently solid rush defense, a superb offensive line and an ability not to give away the ball should help the Orangemen fare better on their final schedule trip to Miami. Certainly better than 104-13.

From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Pitt perseveres through adversity By Joe Starkey TRIBUNE-REVIEW Monday, November 10, 2003 Nine games into the season, Pitt finds itself in precisely the same spot it was last season. Which is to say, 4-0 in the Big East, riding the high of emotional victory over Virginia Tech and facing a three-game finishing act against West Virginia, Temple and Miami. Last year, the Panthers lost two of those final three games. No matter what happens this year, Pitt coach Walt Harris believes he has a special team. "You don't know the price these guys have paid," he said, minutes after the gun sounded Saturday on Pitt's stirring, 31-28 victory over Virginia Tech. The victory lifted Pitt nine spots in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll, to No. 16. It also kept the Panthers alone in first place in the Big East heading into its showdown at 7 p.m. Saturday in Morgantown, W. Va. Raise your hand if you thought Pitt (7-2) would be in this position after dreadful losses to Toledo and Notre Dame dropped its record to 3-2. Oh no you didn't. "I'm just very thankful our players kept believing when things looked awfully bleak," Harris said. "Our coaches have hung together and kept it positive during rough times." Like when Pitt trailed 28-24 on Saturday with the clock running low and the Hokies driving. "We had some big-time adversity," Harris said. What else is new? The Panthers have absorbed more body blows than a beat-up Chevy, but they keep coming back for more. With about 5 minutes left, a defense that had been torn asunder by Hokies tailback Kevin Jones lined up for a 3rd-and-5 at its 31 as if nothing bad had happened. Defensive end Thomas Smith implored the sellout crowd of 66,207 to cheer louder. A gang of Panthers slammed into Jones and pushed him back after a 1-yard gain. On fourth-and-4, the Hokies went for the kill, a pass from quarterback Marcus Vick to split end Justin Hamilton, who couldn't make the catch against the tight coverage of Pitt senior William "TuTu" Ferguson -- a guy who'd been relegated to back-up duty the first part of the season. Ferguson personifies a Pitt defense that doesn't know when to quit. It gave up 455 yards but produced four turnovers and -- unlike in the Notre Dame game -- gave the offense a chance to win at the end. "We gave up two touchdowns on three plays (to make it 28-24, Virginia Tech, early in the fourth quarter) and every easily could have hung our heads to the end of the game," said defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads, who also said the week of preparation was the best he'd seen in four years at Pitt. "But they responded and came back, and the result was a great team victory." Nose tackle Vince Crochunis said Rhoads was "really angry" after Pitt surrendered those two quick TDs -- including Jones's 80-yard run -- and ordered his players to maintain their focus. Like Harris, Rhoads was emotional afterward. "They know they need each other," he said of his defensive players. "They're talking about accountability and investing, and when the kids are doing that, you're going to have great results." Quarterback Rod Rutherford, no stranger to overcoming adversity, engineered a brilliant final drive, something he could not do in losses last season against Notre Dame, Miami and West Virginia. "He grew up during this game," Harris said. If anything, bad breaks only seem to steel this team's resolve. That in mind, it was fitting that fifth-year, reserve safety Corey Humphries made the final big play. Humphries had been lit up on a block by Vick -- the quarterback -- earlier in the fourth quarter but came back to make the game-clinching interception with 17 seconds left. That's when the celebration started.

Bear in mind that Pitt & Syracuse will easily go 6-1 or 7-0 in Big East play, which will improve their positions in rankings... Also, it looks as if Pittsburgh could win the Big East this year... now that would go a long way toward proving that the Big East belongs in the BCS...

From the Hartford Courant:

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