Goldenbuc

Miami doesn't carry the Florida market, alone. FSU has big shoes to fill in both Orlando and Tampa Bay. Neither USF or UCF carry any markets outside of their own...the combo grabs two huge markets. If FSU is out of the ACC, how many folks in Orlando and Tampa are really going to watch and follow ACC sports on a larger scale? You put interest into following the conference matchups in two large TV markets with both teams, where one isn't enough to fill FSU's absence, for that conference. Sure people will still be watching FSU and UF in those towns, but none of those ratings go towards that conference. For some of you who'd rather go at it on their own, does it matter if they package it or not? No...If this is what a conference like the ACC wants, as long as you get in, who cares? By the way, forget the Big 12. They still don't even have to expand past 10, right now. If they can't get FSU and another ACC school, they won't go after anyone else.

Think of this like this.... Imagine if you're somewhat new to an industry, surrounded by more tenured competition, but in the market for a new job. While you are shopping yourselves, do you want a reputation of not being able to work well with others and downplay the current company you're with?

Both of our schools working together. Sign of 2012 End of Days? ---------------- 12/15/12: UCF President John C. Hitt/USF President Judy Genshaft Joint Statement "UCF and USF are committed to the BIG EAST. Under the capable leadership of Commissioner Mike Aresco, we are working together with the other 11 members of the conference to build a future that offers outstanding opportunity for our student-athletes and fans." ---------------- Link: http://www.ucfathletics.com/genrel/121512aaa.html

USF fans weren't exactly a bundle of joy at Ray Jay, either. Get over it. Besides, UCF doesn't even sell beer at the stadium or allow glass bottles at the tailgates. So flying beer bottles are a myth. Just like the "UCF fan poured urine on my wife and kids" bit. I heard that one from FSU fans regarding UF back in the 90's.

If FSU leaves the ACC, that'll remove 2/3 of the TV market in Florida for the ACC. Neither UCF or USF alone could provide that much. All of this expansion is not even around fans in a market, but cable subsribers and the conferences networks. The B1G and SEC want new markets in new states. You will never see FSU, Miami, Ga Tech or Clemson in the SEC, because of this. FSU and Clemson's biggest hopes are for the Big 12, to escape the ACC. If the ACC loses any more to the B1G and/or SEC or Big 12. We could actually see the ACC basically become the Old Big East, with a few new heads at the table. The Florida presense is huge for that ACC and they will want as many sets back on their conference, as possible. The B1G may take two more ACC schools, the SEC two more ACC schools and the B1G take FSU and Clemson. At that point it'll almost be a given that both UCF and USF are in the mix with the remaining BE schools, joining the remaining ACC schools, maybe even with Georgetown, St. Johns and Nova to accompany Notre Dame to boot. How funny would that be?

Jeff Ermann â€@insidemdsports Still hearing informed talk that #UNC and #UVA are likely top choices for two more #BigTen spots. May have offers -- can't confirm that yet.

ESPN has a large share of the Big 10 contract, too. It's a wash for them. It's losing FSU and Clemson to the Big 12 they worry about. They are primarily powered by FOX.

Were they looking to leave and go back to CUSA or hoping the Big 12 wanted them? Doesn't make sense.

The Big 12 won't be looking to any school in FL but, FSU. If FSU leaves with Clemson to the Big 12, I think the Big 12 stays at 12. They have zero need for 14 and would only move to 12, if they could add national brands like FSU and Clemson. The ACC would then be down to 11 and Notre Dame's deal. At that point they can add one more to stay at 12, but it's likely ESPN will make sure they go back to 14 and completely gut the Big East for good. It would be wise for USF and UCF to team up at that point. The loss of FSU is the loss of a brand that covers TVs in an entire state. Adding just USF or just a UCF would do little...both would be much more valuable, along with gaining back the state of Florida. Then it'd be between UConn and UL. I don't think we need you. I think a lot of UCF fans want to leach onto us and say we're better as a combo, but that's bs. We wouldn't be leaching on, we were already about to be in the same conference. Some may not look at USF or UCF alone to take the place of someone like FSU in this state. Right now, USF and UCF aren't any different in the eyes of many outside of Florida. UCF just pummelled USF in basketball and probably could have done the same in football this year, too. USF hasn't exactly seperated themselves they way they planned. But that's not relevant in todays expansion world, anyhow. The Big 10 just invited Maryland and Rutgers. Not exactly for their prowess...it's for their TV markets in DC and NY. A package in Florida to replace a juggernaut like FSU, may be the best way to gain entry.

The Big 12 won't be looking to any school in FL but, FSU. If FSU leaves with Clemson to the Big 12, I think the Big 12 stays at 12. They have zero need for 14 and would only move to 12, if they could add national brands like FSU and Clemson. The ACC would then be down to 11 and Notre Dame's deal. At that point they can add one more to stay at 12, but it's likely ESPN will make sure they go back to 14 and completely gut the Big East for good. It would be wise for USF and UCF to team up at that point. The loss of FSU is the loss of a brand that covers TVs in an entire state. Adding just USF or just a UCF would do little...both would be much more valuable, along with gaining back the state of Florida. Then it'd be between UConn and UL.

I think Schiano is getting the Bucs to buy into his coaching. The Bucs defense is spotty, but has them flying around the ball the best they can. He has his players giving him 100%. A few wins and they're starting to gel and follow Schiano. As a Bucs fan...I'm liking what I'm seeing. In fact, they but could easily be 7-1, right now.

He was actually pretty dead on. This was hilarious! I have a feeling he frequents the message boards.

It's hardly a slap on the wrist, but other than the bowl ban...it's mostly the self-imposed sanctions. It'll suck this year, not having much to play for...but then again...nothing to lose, either. Maybe we finally open it up. lol

I was right about one thing. The NCAA will do what it wants.

St. Pete Bowl vs. CUSA? (j/k) The issue is with a game in Florida, what kind of crowds can the west coast teams bring to a "quasi" bowl game? Will the ACC be willing to play a Big East team, anymore? If so, does the Big East want to concede to the ACC by pinning its champ agains an ACC 3rd or 4th best? Champs Bowl in Orlando would be okay or the Gator. But the Champs isn't played on or around New Years and we're still left with west coast teams and no travelling fanbases from many others. This bowl for the champ isn't going to be easy, if the Big East wants to maintain any decent reputation.

How could it ever be pleasant? LOL noted for asking a stupid question lol. I meant how unpleasant really. As in losing 5 scholarships a year for 2 years? Or 10 scholarships for 5 years? I meant to what degree. A 1 year postseason ban? Or 3 years? I really haven't followed it all that closely. I know the BB violations seemed to be worse. FWIW, here is what long time UCF poster Goldebuc had to say here on the Florida board today: "I don't think it'll be just the self-imposed...but I just think the brunt will be on the basketball end and they'll probably get a post season ban for a year or two, along with maybe another year probation or another year of a scholly removal. That's pretty rough. Everyone else wants to see the death penalty or something." Golden is a bit delusional. The football program was already on probation when the latest sanctions hit them. The fact that their AD was knowingly committing violations for the football program is not going to be good for them. I'm not delusional. Just going by what we've heard. The self-imposed penalties were the max recommended by the guy who did the internal investigation that used to work for the NCAA. UCF went with the max, there and complied with everything the NCAA asked for. Many don't think UCF will be blindsided.. The NCAA however has not leaked any info and has been known to do their own thing, so there's a ton to be concerned about still.

I don't think it'll be just the self-imposed...but I just think the brunt will be on the basketball end and they'll probably get a post season ban for a year or two, along with maybe another year probation or another year of a scholly removal. That's pretty rough. Everyone else wants to see the death penalty or something. But aren't you a multi time offender with your administration involved in the cheating? Its not going to be a slap on the wrist. We're not expecting a slap on the wrist, UCF self-imposed pretty tough penalties for both sports and we expect the NCAA will comply with those and having the former AD being involved, there's obviously more concern there. The thing is....nobody really will know until tomorrow. Not even UCF...so the twitteronis are just throwing anything out, right now. Don't expect muli-year bowl bans, loss of TV or football vacating any wins. There weren't any football players involved in anything that are on the team or ever were ever on the team, in this case. Hell...GOL was cleared by the NCAA. The school self-imposed a reprimand on GOL, anyhow. Basketball only had one player on the team involved in any investigation and he was suspended for half of the season, last year. Basketball will take the brunt of this, I'm afraid.

These Twitter guys have no clue and all of the non-UCF media wants to see blood...it's good media when schools get blasted, especially when it could possibly benefit their beloved schools. Truth is....not even UCF has any idea what the final sanctions will be...so these guys don't know a **** thing.

I don't think it'll be just the self-imposed...but I just think the brunt will be on the basketball end and they'll probably get a post season ban for a year or two, along with maybe another year probation or another year of a scholly removal. That's pretty rough. Everyone else wants to see the death penalty or something.

The sanctions will be somewhere along the lines of the self-imposed, it looks like to me. Mostly basketball related...people just assume football will/should take the brunt, since it's football...but this was mostly basketball related. Although, it won't be pretty either way.

This very topic came up on our board, as well. We play FIU this year and the next two years after. That may be extended due to the Big 3 situation. UF won't play any return games and FSU and Miami won't be scheduling UCF or USF. In fact, the ACC probably won't be playing ANY Big East schools while they're trying to build their rep and plant themselves as one of the "Big 5" conferences. With the Big East so spread out, UCF is going to need to close OOC games and it looks like FIU/FAU will be looked at for future schedules. Probably not both in the same year, but home and home with one for two years and home and home with the other. It makes sense, but also forces UCF and USF possibly to resort to annual games with them. Sure we could look at other CUSA/SunBelt schools, too...but you get the point. I'm sure we'll have some Big 12, Big 10 and some SEC matchups here and there...but who knows whata they'll be able to schedule.

SMU is coming along. I was able to attend the SMU/UCF in Dallas last year and the OP is correct, their campus is gorgeous and they have a top notch stadium, as well. It's very small (30k max) but well made and I think it's built for expansion. Their fans are all I worry about, though. They had a good team and were just coming off a huge win over TCU, the week prior and this was a rematch of the conference championship the year before. It was a gorgeous sunny 80 degree day and they barely had 12-15k there. I hope the new conference will help, but it didn't seem like many people even knew what conference they were in now. I think they only really get up for other Texas schools. Especially the old SWC schools...we'll see, though.

Maybe UCF fans are a bunch of gnats to USF fans. We're pesky and have been buzzing around and never seem to go away. You finally play us, beat us and we still buzz around. You beat us 64-12 one year and get ranked as high as #2 that same year and that's still not enough seperate yourselves. You go on the road and beat FSU, Miami, Auburn and Notre Dame....and guess who's at home waiting to buzz buzz buzz all over you when you get back. UCF. Bianchi, McMurphy...all of those writers coming out and slammng Genshaft, when all you want to do is move forward and put UCF in the dust...but...NOPE!! UCF will not let USF succeed and move anywhere. Just when USF seems to climb away from UCF...UCF grabs a shoelace or an ankle to pull USF back down. Finally...USF is now exhausted, beaten and now sits on the same perch as UCF. UCF and USF will be together FOREVERRRRRHHHHHH....

Please tell us what your written in stone rules of real rivalries are that we "younger bulls fans" are clueless about. Thanks. One written in stone rule is that you don't have to convince a large segment of your fanbase that it is one ... Another is there has to have been at least one murder committed in the name of it. Triple..you think there's a large amount of your fanbase that needs convincing that there's a rivalry...but I think you're wrong. I think a lot USF fans hate UCF naturally and whenever I have run into any, I get boos from and snarls from them. I never, get any "I don't care about UCF" attitude...they always thought a rivalry would emerge eventually and a lot of them would welcome it. It's the minority of fans like you, Triple that hate the idea. USF fans like you think they're actually still a member of the "Big 5" and the "Big 5" knows it...but they're telling USF to basically "hang tight" for now. Well, UCF now has a chance to get back those wins vs. USF and if there's ever one final expansion into the "Big 5 Club" in 4 years to finish it all off...UCF has just as much of a chance to prove themselves, beat USF to possibly win that edge and win the Big East. Just as good of a chance as any chance USF has and USF doesn't have any way to out-recruit UCF, anymore. UCF already has 4 solid commits from the Tampa Bay area and looking at more. USF did have opportunities to win the Big East and go to a BCS Bowl...even got as far as #2 and blew it. Maybe it's just time for UCF to step USF aside and do something, for a change.