USFreak

Well Cuban despite what everybody is saying you are correct on one point -- USF should make the pitch for 15k. Backing that up is another story, but USF could use this bowl now. It is the best option and if there is a chance to secure it Tuesday or Wednesday you take your shot. Frankly, I don't see USF traveling any more than 2000 to the bowl, but maybe each of them can bring a few HOV dummies along with them and make it appear like more.

While I agree with the overall sentiment (because this season was a wonderful success with what should be USF's first bowl appearance and some key wins) you cannot deny that the quarterback problem has been a real one for over 3 years. Now somebody like SBien may jump in and say, "well look at West Virginia...they are running a system that blah, blah, blah." I agree that with that overall sentiment as well, but overall the position limits what can be done on the football field. I'm certainly not blaming it on Julmiste because I don't pin the loss on him, but I do peg the loss on 3 years of problems and the inability to really establish any form of passing game. You shut down the run (or more specifically cause USF's OC to abandon it) and you get what you got last night. There is more blame to go around, but I think the core problem is the passing game is no threat and other teams know that. When one successfully stops the run it severly limits the offense. Can WVU stop it? Sure. Can NC State? I don't know.

I'm really wondering -- if a guy covered in aluminum foil jumped on the field and was tasered....would it reflect back to the taserer or would the foil man be electrocuted? I'd be willing to pay a couple bucks to find out. Sheriff, you got a couple rolls of foil and a free Saturday night?

I honestly want to shake the hand of the drunk that has the balls to jump on the field after this victory and take his Taserin' like a man. I'm sure there will be one or two that are just looking for a little voltage to make their heart skip a beat or two. Reminds me of the Budweiser "Real Men of Genius" ads.

I know these commentaries need to commentate, but c'mon. A day into this story and I'm sick of it. It is hardly a story. Leavitt could go 7-4 this season and probably write his ticket anywhere. USF needs to pay the going rate, but if Leavitt wants to go he knows the door is right there. I think this round of 'take my coach' will be more about what Leavitt wants for the next 5-10 years of his career more than anything else. Now the press may want to play it up as some crisis, but I'd classify it as more of a yardstick on where each of these parties are in terms of their history. USF has responded at every turn giving Leavitt the contract and the ammo (Athletic facility, etc.) he needed to be competitive. He has it all. Dollars will factor into that and the future contract will certainly have to be among the Big East elite, but that's not the test here. The test is whether Leavitt wants to finish what he started.

One thing I've always thought was that USF needs to become a more "traditional" campus. This goes hand in hand with what FazaUSF is saying, but takes it a step further. Genshaft has elevated certain areas w/ more dorms, fraternity houses, etc. and that is phase one. One thing that has ALWAYS been missing from USF is a 'college town' type feel. You can't walk to things like you can in a lot of campuses (UF, Penn State, Colorado, for example). The feel would be different at USF, but I've always envisioned some sort of 'main street' feel in the corner of campus where 50th meets Fletcher. The concept could be either: a) University owned and leased by USF (similar to Frat house structure) Private similar to the research park where the land is leased A town center type concept (developed with a collegiate feel) would be built where private businesses -- Kinkos, sports bar, Quiznos, Chilis, you name it -- it would simply be leased to interested businesses which could set up shop and there would be enough parking for off campus, but it would really encourage a walkability from the dorms and the hundreds of apartments off campus (note that this could mean stumbling distance as well on a Friday or Saturday night). Anyhow, I have always thought that is the one cog missing that will make USF "more traditional" and encourage people to stay on campus (and moreover move near campus). Again, it wouldn't have a "University Center" feel, but more of a college feel about it and redirect some of the business that goes to Fowler and Fletcher directly onto campus. I realize USF will never have a "truly traditional" feel, but something in the spirit of the new dorms with a main street vibe could work. Some of you may think the idea is stupid, but think about when you lived on campus -- the only thing within walking distance was the ICP (deceased), the Greenery and that Circle K. Oh, the Empty Keg too.

This is absolutely horrible. My heart sank when I read the subject line as I had thought he was improving as well. There are no words....

I agree with you SBien, but sadly I don't see it. The road worries me with this team. Even if they could get the offense to some level of competence, they always screw something up on the road. They need near perfect performances 4 games in a row. I look back to too many stretches with this program (hoops and football) where it all needed to come together for a stretch and it didn't. I see them winning Cincy, 1 of 3 on the road and dropping WVU. Final record -- 5 - 6. No bowl.

Note: December 8th is the last day of classes which makes that week exam week. Will the students show en force for Dec 3rd? Doubtful. If it is the BE championship...maybe, but USF has to win 4 of 4 and you said that is highly unlikely. I tend to agree.

Pitt had a better nothing than USF. Didn't matter -- their house and their win. USF hasn't consistently proven they can win on the road and add in the other variables and I think they'll be lucky to get 1 of 3. I see them going into the WVU game 4-6 with no chance at a bowl. Sorry to be pessimistic, but this team routinely beats themselves and I see nothing in their game that is going to reverse that.

Not to sound crass Cuban, but you are a die-hard. Of course you'll be there. I just see a lot of other games like ACC/SEC/Big 12 championship. After seeing USF barely put in 34k for No. 8 Louisville...I'm not sure there is any amount of "bigness" the WVU game could carry that would pack them in at 11am on Dec. 3rd. Even 7pm for a BE championship would be iffy. Personally, I don't think USF has the offense to even with 2 of the 3 roadies on their schedule.....and they'll need to with 4 of 4 to play for a BE championship. Do you see that in this team?

Jamie, I'd buy what you are selling, but not even 10% of those folks are going to show at a Dec. 3rd game - ESPECIALLY one at 11am. See Pitt game last year for more on this subject. I understand you had to call this one on safety concerns, but Thursday would have still been a safe call AND if attendance was a concern I am almost certain that more folks would have made a 4pm game today over whatever the game ends up being on Dec. 3rd. Bottom line -- you got to call it for safety, but in hindsight it certainly looks premature.

With a purple broach would be nice...doncha think? Maybe a pair of smart shoes and a handbag?

Does Comcast Cable in Washington, DC area supposed to carry this? It doesn't seem to and I can't find jack on how to download the thing....on espn360.com, but it locks me in some crazy loop.

PSU Nut, are you saying that Comcast is carrying it up north? I'll be in DC this weekend and I believe Comcast is the cable provider. Are you saying it is carried by all Comcast?

Good analysis. It blows my mind that Wanny didn't come in and just take the offensive machine Harris had left -- almost fully in tact -- and ride the horse a little longer. What a putz. You go from a BCS appearance to the bottom of the heap with essentially the same squad and a marginally better defense (arguable). Your poster sums it up.

Zonald, theoretically they have said that this will be available on campus within the usf.edu domain to folks. Is that true? Who knows, but maybe there are some options there as well. It may only yield Gary's low frame rate method, but maybe that paired with the radio play by play may be something? Unsure what the sound options are. Dang, can't believe this one didn't even make it to ESPN + for regional PPV.

That's using the ol' noodle GarySJ. I like it.

That is a GREAT signature....can I use it? :-)

Zonald, I may buy these from you. I'll call you when I know. I'm not sure yet if I need 4 or 5 otherwise I'd be on the horn right now. Thanks. CG

I think it is a bird thing on this one. Ol' Clucko ain't too fond of other species -- Cardinals especially. You have to factor in bird bias on this one.

Everybody agrees there, but obviously scheduling is a delicate balance. It will be curious to see how the final 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 schedules all turn out. There will have to be a couple dogs with fleas on there. UCF is certainly one in 2006. FIU is in a few of those years as well. With Miami, Auburn, UNC, and Florida mixed in there USF will probably have room for 2 BCS home and homes and then will either need another 2 for 1 or sprinkle in a few I-AAs to round it out. Plus I suppose the CUSA exit deal will have to be dealt with as well.

There is something to be said for the Southern Miss part. I think it was that way because USF played a few games with them and it downright bothered them when they lost. Their fans were ill-tempered too. It was certainly on its way to a rivalry. I know the fact that it was perceived that Bowers had cast the 'CUSA wait' vote (quality not quantity) against USF also fed that (when it turned out not to be true). Claims of eye-gouging and spitting only fed the fire. A similar dynamic is in place (at least on UCF's side) with USF not giving them the game and treating them like a 2nd class citizen. I agree it is more a rivalry from their side. Probably a lot like the University of Florida sees USF. Bring them up to Ben Hill Griffin, embarrass them, send them home. Maybe if UCF was serious about trying to establish themselves as a rival they should have dumped ice on the field. You know how that p*sses a team off :-)