BaltoBull

I'm really hoping USF takes a significant portion of the windfall we are receiving from the defections and uses it to pay down debt. That being said, I don't know how much debt USF Athletics has, but I think it would be smart to reduce it as much as possible. We may be having some long years ahead and having some potentially big bills raking up and needing to be paid may not help us much.

Whichever one we get invited to, by definition the other one will be the eventual P4 conference Yeah, that's my take on it as well. And it's pretty much what I've been thinking all along. If the rumors are true and if the B12 goes to 12, ACC/America-Metro here we come.

The intent of the post, as I intended it was to highlight the perks being offered by the Athletics Dept. (the discounts, the video board messages, Bulls Cast preview, Ticket Holder Party). I anticipated some sort of incentive to 'sweeten the pot' in light of the changing of so many teams and the amount of apathy felt by a segment of Bulls fans. I interpret the "National Letter of Commitment" (psychological buy-in) and the other incentives as a means to keep ticket holders on the fence from dropping their tickets. Having been a season ticket holder for more than five years, this is the most I remember being offered to re-up for tickets. I remember USF Fan Days at RJS, but never a season ticket holder party? If this promotion is not an attempt to keep ticket holders from bailing, what do you interpret as? Just last year, they had a drawing every day for a month. And the funny thing is I actually won something during the drawings last year and totally forgot about it. My bad. I suppose you could make the argument that this year 7 prizes are being offered instead of the month of drawings, but that doesn't really prove my point, does it? Still, I feel like the incentives being offered now are more than what has been offered previously given the multitude of discounts and such; including the game-used helmet that was offered a few years back. Also, I do wonder what will be thrown into the pot as the season gets closer. I assume they'll have a Chick-Fil-A Family Plan or something that will come with concession vouchers or something again.

The intent of the post, as I intended it was to highlight the perks being offered by the Athletics Dept. (the discounts, the video board messages, Bulls Cast preview, Ticket Holder Party). I anticipated some sort of incentive to 'sweeten the pot' in light of the changing of so many teams and the amount of apathy felt by a segment of Bulls fans. I interpret the "National Letter of Commitment" (psychological buy-in) and the other incentives as a means to keep ticket holders on the fence from dropping their tickets. Having been a season ticket holder for more than five years, this is the most I remember being offered to re-up for tickets. I remember USF Fan Days at RJS, but never a season ticket holder party? If this promotion is not an attempt to keep ticket holders from bailing, what do you interpret as?

And I'm fine with it. To me, as much as some hate to admit it, I think we are in a conference with similar academic institutions, roughly in the same geographic area and hopefully now, will begin to shine in this conference, whatever in the hell it will be called.

You're right. My big problem with the name is that it is, to me too reminiscent of C-USA.

Sorry, as a teetotaller and a non-gambler, you're on your own there! But I dearly hope we end up on the "power" side of the P4/5 when all is said and done. Fair enough. To be honest though, I can admit to some of the rambling in this particular post of mine being the product of too much Knob Creek last night.

I'm pretty sure that most people understand, by now, that IF USF were to move to the Nuevo Post-Miami Post-FSU ACC that it would be just the residuals of the conference and nothing more than the old 'Big East/CUSA' combo package. It would not be one of the 'Power' conferences. By that point in time we would have the P4 and everyone else. Exactly. It's nice to know I am not the only one thinking along these lines and saying this. Be careful though Wooly, you might be called out for being too "Doom and Gloom".

I would love the Big 12 taking us. But as a pair UCF/USF just got a TV contract that pays $2 mil a year. How do we increase the Big 12's bottom line? It's jut not happening at this point. THe ACC? IF they're raided, there would be a good chance of that happening. Great point.

Right on. I still say ditch the 'SF' and concentrate on our image as a bull, not on our logo, pointing out the fact we are a directional state school. In Maryland, they did this years ago when Western Maryland, tired of negative perception chanced the name of the school to "McDaniel" named after one of the schools founders - It seems to have worked out for them. Collins? Allens?

This too....YO!

You know, I haven't thought of that. You got me. Right on! UCLA got into last year's Fight Hunger Bowl with 6 wins so I see where you are going with this. Follow me... What do you want to bet that considerations will be made in the future regarding 'quality losses' or something like that? I'm not trying to sound too wacky, but I totally see Herbstreit and Corso (ESPN mouthpieces) singing the same line they always have, "So and so deserves a bowl - look at the schedule they played" "Now look at me and tell me Northern Illinois and South Florida deserve to play in the Domino's Beefy, Cheesy Pasta Bowl (coincidentally owned by ESPN and aired on ESPN networks) only playing a Metro (?) or MAC schedule..."No way in hell, Herbie, like hell they don't." "Let's not forget the diabolical game that was last years Orange Bowl..." Is it just me or, don't you think ESPN tried way too hard to impress upon others that schools like them (and their ilk) were not invited? I admit, what follows is MY DREAM: With the money and the contracts in place, don't be surprised to see bowls suddenly accepting bids from teams with lower records than before. I mean, Jesus, we'd have to burn the place to the ground and piss on it's ashes should an undefeated MWC or A12 team come and play on our hollowed grounds? Where is their private Leer jet? They flew in first class, off of a couple of normal airplanes, just like everyone else. Why aren't they prancing down the jetway in any couture sweat and jogging suits? Where are these players baby-mamas and other hangers on? "Say what?! You play for a conference that is trying to improve it's academic profile and become a symbol of decent, affordable college education for EVERYONE?" "You're team doesn't have 12 uniforms and 9 helmets to wear during the season?" "MY GOD, the HUMANITY" - so many lost merchandise sales. "Who will pray for your souls?" "You mean, you actually have to go to class and EARN the grades and then you are ALLOWED to represent the school you play for?" "Yes Ma'am, it's a new day in our conference. Brightest minds - better football / programs that are not puppets to boosters and presidents. It's for the alum and the fans! Back to reality: It will be the same song they've always played Charrsibb, now only the conferences have exclusive contracts with the bowls and hell be damned, the rest are only gaining access to that ONE access slot. Save this post: I will personally buy you, charsibb, a $200 bottle of whatever hooch you like, if, within five years from NOW USF's bowl situation is markedly (read: our number one playing #3-5 of any "Power 5 Conferences; ACC/SEC/B12/B10/PAC better than they are now. Is this fair? For the record, I prefer bourbon - Knob Creek or Elijah Craig 18 yr. when I can get it. Booker's in a pinch.

Keep the "U" - get rid of the SF. Stop branding us as a directional school and more of as a unique university. If people are genuinely interested in knowing what school our logo represents, they won't need the "SF" to remind them where we are.

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GREEN AND GOLD, BABY!!!! Vuvuzelas would be AWESOME!

Belk Bowl is likely done - http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/blog/jeremy-fowler/21826498 If you believe McMurphy the Russel Athletic is too. What you're removing is that these power conferences have more teams. Which means more tie ins. And by all accounts (reports) they're okay dropping the Big East Yep! It will be interesting when bowl games will practically be givens for 'power' teams. Going to a bowl game for them won't be an achievement. Only the date of and name of the game will be the distinction. Attendance won't matter because ESPN will look at the games as free advertising for their 'brands' - games and teams. ESPN and others won't care, as by their and the bowl committees logic, a #9 SEC team will always be more coveted and valuable, carrying more 'value' than anyone from the Go5. Look at the treatment NIU got at the Orange Bowl.

"We" control nada, zip, zillch.. Exactly. If the Yet-To-Be-Named Conference is trying to separate itself from the rest of the Gang of Five, why aren't we on the phone with the MWC? We need to be trying to get them into the New Orleans and Beef O' Brady's Bowls. Maybe a bowl for them to travel to in LA or FL and one for one of our teams to travel to on the West Coast? Maybe the MWC would like to get out of the cost and burden of traveling to the Hawaii Bowl? They've got a better bowl line-up then us now, but for how long? If we don't end up doing our own thing with the Go5 conferences, I think once we are effectively shut out of the other bowls, we really need to work on setting up our #2-3 playing MWC and Indys and then our only our other teams against C-USA and Sun Belt.

Lol, sit your pudgy @ss back down debate nerd. Since when do I listen to what a Troll says? Kiss my pudgy @ss cyber stalker. LOL. At least I'm not the only one who has problems with him.

I don't think that scenario would bode well for USF. I can't imagine the ACC would want so much saturation in Florida. Not to mention the idea that's been floated forever about the SEC, the so-called 'gentleman's agreement". I could see something like this applying in this situation. Before some of you say, "But what about all the ACC schools in North Carolina?" Those schools were added into the conference when similar academic institutions within a geographical footprint were key. We all know this is about television markets at it's core and I do not see FSU and Miami, if both still ACC schools being too pleased about spitting tv sets (and possible recruits) with another in-state school. I think the only realistic shot we have for getting in the ACC is if one, preferably both FSU and Miami go to another conference.

I don't even know what those look like, but I like the idea. A script Bulls logo on the front would be cool, too and both would be better than the what they have now. I'm so sick of that USF logo they put on the basketball jerseys. Yeah, one thing I wish is that they would dump the "USF" logo all-together. I realize it is for 'branding' purposes, but in the process of being such, I've always felt it looks cheap. I've never understood why, if the schools aim is to shed the directional/commuter school image, why you would include the fact you are a directional school in the logo? To me, the 'Iconic U' is a far stronger and far 'cleaner' logo, one that has the potential to be recognized over time.

+1. I'm right here with you on this thought.

Actually if you look through this thread, my comments were only in response to the usual "UCF sucks commentary". Until then I pretty much stayed on the topic of the money distribution. It was the USF fans (like you) that lowered the bar. As for your comments, meh, it is a new day. I get that you are bitter that you squandered your advantage and chance to improve your program with years of BCS money and recruiting pitches. I get that despite what you have been fed from the university you finally have a dose of reality that USF has no real national pull or following (hey look! another sleeping giant!), I get that in the great money grab that is conference affiliation that despite many years in a BCS conference a program like USF has to sit back and hope that the stars align and someone has an empty roster spot and that there is no other alternative. it is something that I came to grips with about UCF years ago. Yes UCF wanted to be where USF has been over the last 7-8 years and just when we thought we would be, the Big East crashes and burns taking you down with it. I get that you are more than upset that you are now at an equal level with lowly UCF. I get that your claim to fame is to beat a good program and then lose three consecutive games to various lower ranked teams. I understand that USF has absolutely tooled UCF on the football field and that most UCF fans are bitter about that, but I also understand that in the grand scheme of things it all starts fresh this year in a new conference. I get that you could never compete for a championship of any kind because you were too inconsistent and lost games you should have won (if you really had that good of a team to begin with). Get used to the fact that for the foreseeable future you are exactly the same as UCF. Nothing is going to hit the fan in Orlando because as you say, UCF has nowhere to go but up. Fair analysis. Letting by-gones be by-gones, I have no problem accepting you as rivals, anticipate our games to be one of the Bulls most anticipated annually and am looking forward to our games agains the knights beginning this fall.

I have long been an advocate for our yet-to-be-named conference to engage with the MWC and others in forming our own championship format. I truly believe this is best and far better than fans like you, hellbent on believing we are part of something we are not, crying like a b***h when we get passed over for a team with more 'brand presence'. It has happened before and it will certainly happen again as how many teams are contending for one access slot? When has this happened and when have I cried about us being passed over by anyone? I believe we are where we are right now. If you want to believe conferences are done shuffling, that's on you; the media believes otherwise. I see us in some form of the ACC eventually. I'd be thrilled to be back with Pitt, Cuse, and some of our other former conference-mates. You shoving bullshiz words in my mouth doesn't change any of that. Okay. The lines are drawn in the sand. I don't know the future anymore than anyone else does. I am entitled to my opinion just as you are. I missed the mark on my quoted statement and it was unfair to lump you into this category - my bad...my fault. I too believe we will be in the ACC, I just don't think it will be a power conference by the time we get there. Thank you for responding. I called you out on another board waiting for a response. This will stop now. Let's put this to rest before we drive everyone on the board nuts, okay? We'll eventually see who says, "I told you so". Just a thought though, if you don't like my posts and point of view, why not just block me and not have to read them? My feelings won't be hurt and based on your opinion of what I have to say, you won't be missing much.

Let's just hope that the 'exciting' changes to the football uniforms we've heard about coming this year don't resemble this ensemble.

Alright dude, let's play. My name is Curt Sudduth. I am an alum and current grad student at USF. I'm doom and gloom? I think you are way too optimistic. Here's the deal, you my friend are blinded by your green and gold glasses. I however, refer to myself as being much more grounded in reality and the circumstances USF faces. You may not like my opinion. Believe me, you going on and on about how USF is going to be a force and nationally regarded by the media is not one I particularly like either. I think it sets expectations too high and unfairly sets fans up for disappointment. I like USF. But, I understand where we are. I also understand that the doors have been closed to us essentially ever playing for a National Championship again. If you believe that USF, without the fan base, without the tradition and without the brand will consistently be good enough, with the impending gap of revenues between the haves and the have-nots, which by the way will be MUCH MORE THAN IT HAS EVER BEEN (read: there will be no more FSUs coming from nowhere to gain notoriety), then I don't know what to tell you, man. I have long been an advocate for our yet-to-be-named conference to engage with the MWC and others in forming our own championship format. I truly believe this is best and far better than fans like you, hellbent on believing we are part of something we are not, crying like a b***h when we get passed over for a team with more 'brand presence'. It has happened before and it will certainly happen again as how many teams are contending for one access slot? Again, I like USF, but I don't think we are ever going to get the respect and notoriety you and some of your ilk think we will. Despite our differences, I have tried been cordial with you. Hell, I even invited you to dinner a while back to try and bury the hatchet. But please, don't be a baby and tell me to GTFO because you don't like my opinion. Mine might not be popular, but there are some who agree with me. Oh, I will continue to support the program, I'm guessing more than you think I do. Close to $30,000 invested in the team in 8 years. I think despite what you said DO need fans like me. I think I have earned the right to express my opinion about the state of and the future of the team, don't you? http://www.thebullspen.com/gallery/image/64-screen-shot-2013-03-11-at-708pm/