Griggsy

i just now flipped it on and, so far, Cincy's D is looking a little weak

If it were to happen, it will take a few years of consistently winning.  USF has to become a recognizable team in order to get to that level.  Not only do the human voters need to know who we are, the public does as well.

I don't think we will see a NC game in that timeframe.  We aren't that consistent, and don't have the recognition.  We've come far in ten years, but not that far.

I agree with Mike.  Recognition is crucial to the rankings.  

Im expecting at least a 10 win season in 07, but Im not confident enough in our consistency to say we will for certain win a BE championship, not to mention the NC.  For the last two years we've dropped disappointing ones that we were SUPPOSED to win on the road. This season in Cincy, and last year in UCONN. I could see us dropping a heart breaker to PITT in 07.

But, I am VERY excited about our potential in the years to come.  Im confident next year will be a marquee year for USF for several reasons:

-First time to break into the national rankings

-Most wins in a season

-Poss BE championship

-Poss BCS bowl

-Poss BCS bowl win

And we're such a young team

07 - Year of the Bull!!!

Three Best of 06:

1. Beating WVU of course

2. Beating Pitt. MG's performance in that game was the most exciting QB I have ever seen, and I feel like it was that game that sort of 'turned the tide' for the season

3. Winning first bowl game

Three things for 2007

1. Mike Ford!

2. Win the BE championship and play in a BCS bowl!

3. Break attendance records at home and away, which will be hard evidence of a growing fan base.

2007 -- This is our year!

it's also at the kiosk in the Brandon Mall

Im in the same boat with Economics_Nerd82.  

In pulling for an underdog football program to be recognized as the 'big time', one inadvertantly becomes a proponent of -not just football - but the school as a whole.

If USF had no football program, I would take little interest in the school other than simply trying to get classes over with, get the degree, and put the school in the rearview mirror.

But as it stands now, I...

  ...spend hundreds per year on merchandise.

  ...attend all football games that Im able to.

  ...have discovered basketball! Im starting to attend games regularly

  ...actively promote USF wherever I go, to whoever I talk to

  ...have taken an active interest in the academic ranking of the school

  ...have started making annual contributions to both athletics and the College of Government and Int'l Affairs

  ...make an effort to support local businesses which support USF

  ...am considering grad school at USF because I dont want to dilute my sports team loyalties!!! (wife thinks Im crazy)

I think it's probably a similar story for many of you. As far as Im concerned, football is the best thing to ever happen to USF. Ultimately, it will improve the entire university and the university's image both academically and athletically.

-Griggsy

All the other similar tags with other colleges had pictures of iconic buildings, ie. Auburn had Samford Hall, FSU had the Wescott building, etc.  I guess the bookstore was the most iconic building they could find for USF? Who knows

I can run out and get a pic of it if someone can explain to me how to upload it to this site

If I remember correctly the announcer called USF's OOC schedule "tough" when discussing 4 game losing streak...

again!

that was awesome

I'm always scoping out USF gear, and this is the first time I've come across it. I dont have a picture (can't even find it for sale anywhere online), but it's basically one of those really nice (heavy) pewter license plates.

Looks just like this ...

...but has the 'USF" (with the iconic U) across it. On the left side it has an image of the USF bookstore, and on the right it has an image of Raymond James.

My wife found this at a kiosk in the Westfield Brandon Mall. Anyone familiar with the mall will know which kiosk it is. Its the small one near the middle of the mall that sales only auto tags.

The tag is surprisingly heavy. Looks great on the Yukon!

Im having the same problem!

It will not be as easy for us to break into perennial Top 25 as it was for, say, Miami.  Miami faced much less competition with alot more resources.

But we are doing it. And we're doing it right. I guess if smazza started a team from scratch it would play for the national championship in its first year. And while that hasnt happened for us, I do like the position we're in for the next few years:

-Decline of Miami, FSU:  The only problem with becoming such a good team is that there is only one way to go: DOWN. While Im sure FSU will rebound, the impending loss of Bobby Bowden could prove significant for a long time to come. It's similar to situation at Alabama. No one wants to coach in the shadow of a legend. I was at the FSU-WFU game this year. The stadium/parking lot was nearly empty at the end of the game. Fans will simply not have the patience for anything other than a new coach coming in and winning immediately.  FSU will eventually stand back up, but it could be years and years before they ever reach the level they were at in the 90's.  Miami ... Im not so sure they will rebound as well as FSU. Coker was 59-15 with a NC and he got the axe for a neutral season. And then there's they new HC hire. Ouch. Im expecting Miami to fall to mediocrity for the next several years.

-USF making headlines:  What a great way to end the season, with a win against a Top 10 opponent on national television.  We have a phenom QB that I dont think any of us could have expected a year ago. Theres a chance we could go into Auburn next year ranked (and maybe just maybe pull off the upset?). We'll probably be expected to be the dark harse competition for the BE championship next year. All of this, combined with the likely win over UCF at home will clearly set USF apart.  People will be hesistant to say that we have knocked off Miami for a spot in the Big 3, but I think next year could definitely be the start of the Big 4.

Bottom line: This is our shot. In arguably the best football state in the country, we have risen from obscurity to serious contenders.  All we need is the right sequence of events to seal the deal. Down years for 2 of the state's powerhouses, signature wins over ranked opponents, phenom QB....will all add up. Next year is our shot. And I like our chances. No one will say "who is USF" in 2008.

you guys forgot one important fact...

thus, i conclude, we really are in south florida... 8-)

LOL -- here here!  ;D

The Tamiami Trail (US Hwy 41) was the gateway to south Florida long before I-95.

Tampa ... "Gateway to South Florida's sprawling west coast"  

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE5DA1138F936A25752C0A962948260

2 - Tampa is the "gateway' to south Florida

I-95 is the gateway to South Florida

4 - Miami/Ft Lauderdale/etc is really in what I call "deep south' Florida. To say that Miami area is the only 'South Florida' is obsurd..what about Fort Myers? It becomes a loose art of defining what is 'South'.

I've been living in Florida for more years than you have been on the planet and I can't say I've ever heard anyone call Miami/Ft Lauderdale "Deep South Florida".

How about University of Not So Deep Florida

Point #1 - That's because of the socially accepted use of the term to refer to Miami/Ft Lauderdale area

Point #2 - That's why I said "in what I call 'deep south' Florida'". "I call" being the key phrase there

I think you missed the entire point of the post

Ha! No, no thesis. I just get tired of people making arguments based on socially accepted ideas over facts. It's similar to the arguments about which football conferences are the best...

Just a clarification to my above points though. I did a little further digging and the southernmost mainland point in Florida (and consequently, the US) is located in Cape Sable (25°07[ch8242]02[ch8243]N, 81°05[ch8242]17[ch8243]W). Florida's northernmost boundary runs along the 31st parallel, putting Tampa roughly 208 miles south and 192 miles north.  16 miles south of Florida's midway point.

Go University of SOUTH FLORIDA Bulls!

Oh, and just for kicks:  Bulls is also an accurate name (although I hear that argument less often).  In the early years, Florida was primarily a livestock state with more cattle than Texas. Tampa was a major livestock hub for the area. The name is a testament to our history. Florida is also considered the 'oldest cattle raising state in the country.'   See http://www.floridacattlemen.org/fca/history.htm

I'm tired of hearing the argument that Universith of South Florida is not an accurate name for our school. Opponents generally argue that 'south Florida' refers to Miami area and that USF is actually in Central Florida.

But that argument is based on 2 things --a socially defined term ('South Florida referring to only Miami area) and the method of geographically dividing up the state.  Both are ambiguous.  It's just as easy to argue that USF is indeed in South Florida:

Reasons why 'South Florida' is an accurate name for the school:

1 - USF is geographically south of UF and UCF

2 - Tampa is the "gateway' to south Florida

3 - USF was the southernmost state school at the time of inception

4 - Miami/Ft Lauderdale/etc is really in what I call "deep south' Florida. To say that Miami area is the only 'South Florida' is obsurd..what about Fort Myers? It becomes a loose art of defining what is 'South'. See #5.

5 - Anything south of the midway point in Florida can be considered 'South' Florida. Per Google Earth, Tampa proper is 200 miles due south of the northernmost point in the state, while it is only 185 miles north.

Bottom line: The name USF can be misleading because it does go against the socially accepted definition of 'south Florida', but at the same time, the name can be argued as technically accurate.

Reporter accidentally said we beat two top 10 teams in two years....WVU this year and NC State last year.  Oops.

Still though, great exposure!

If you thought that was great, you need to go to a first round NCAA tournament game or a real basketball school, like Duke. The tournament is a fun festive atmosphere with some great games. Go to a Duke game or UNC game, it is insane. The closest I have seen a USF game to that type of level was last season when we were rallying in the 2nd half against UConn.

Can only imagine what it would be liked for a game with a full SunDome.

I bet its loud as hell. Sound really carries in the Sundome. Ive never been to a sporting even where I felt like I really had to watch what I say because I felt like people on the field of play could hear me. oh the possibilities.

I'll second that amen. Smokin  8-)

Larson: 5 personal fouls, 0 points  

:GoBulls

Dude, that was so funny. I almost felt bad for the guy. Almost...

Holy @##@$%!!!!!

Ok so Im a southern boy right? Born and raised in south Georgia. Huge college football fan my entire life. Basketball? Yeah who cares...

Tonight I got out of my evening class early and saw that had the bball game going at 8pm.  I was parked in the Sun Dome lot...no excuses.

WOW what a good time.  For those of you who have (for whatever reason) never gone to a bball game, I HIGHLY recommend it.  Very energetic, and downright entertaining to watch. Much better in person than on TV.  

Plus, the crowd is heard alot more clearly by the opposing team. God, I dont think I'll ever get the "Laaarssoooon, Laaarsooon" out of my head. LOL.   Im definitely gonna start attending these regularly.

Just thought Id pass the word. Wow what a fun game. Go Bulls!

Thanks ET for bringing out the positive points. I was feeling bummed last night, but you're right. We have so much to look forward to.

-Griggsy