TallyBull

Right. And if Clemson leaves the ACC, I think it's highly unlikely to be the only team to leave. I'm thinking it'd be at least two, maybe three. The ideal scenario for us would be for Clemson, FSU, and UNC to buy their way out of the GOR via some kind of financial settlement, the GOR remains intact, and the ACC replaces them with USF, Tulane, and UConn, which (IMHO) are clearly the three most attractive remaining candidates on the board based on a combination of market, academics, recruiting territory, branding, competitiveness, and long-term overall potential. Memphis would be a distant number four on that list (Memphis belongs in the B12).

Pessimists/detractors emphasize metrics that USF hasn’t achieved and argue that unless USF does, they’ll never get an invite to a P5 conference. Optimists emphasize metrics that USF can achieve/has already achieved and argue that USF should get an invite based on those metrics alone. Truth is that it’ll be a combination of these considerations and maybe others too. Not convinced that Tulane has jumped us because of one good year. Also not convinced we’re an automatic add. All that said, I like where we’re positioned. If we can get to be at least mediocre in FB and BB, I’d be even more confident.

Assuming FSU departs soon (a big assumption), I'm not so sure I agree. The ACC seems terrified about dropping south of 15 teams, based on the decision to add Stanford, Cal, and SMU and the risk of having to renegotiate TV contracts without FSU and Clemson in the fold. I could see the ACC adding USF and Tulane (both AAU schools, big cities/easy access via nice airports, within the traditional ACC footprint) pretty quickly. Possibly also UConn, but I feel like there are political reasons (Pitt, Syracuse, BC, possibly others) why UConn hasn't already been added. I don't see the ACC adding anyone on or west of the Mississippi River (including Memphis) that isn't a top 10 academic institution in a big city (looking at you Wazzu and OSU), regardless of what Stanford and Cal think. The B12 schools that might be interested in joining the ACC are subject to the B12's GOR (although I admit that GORs may not be the deterrent that we all thought they were). If FSU does leave, this might be our best and only shot. The Weatherford brothers should chat or something.

I'm on my phone a lot. Here's another workaround I figured out on my phone, in case it's helpful to anyone: (1) Click on the up arrow at the bottom right of the post (2) Select "share via" (3) Select "open in safari" (4) Copy the link from the URL window (it'll be a Twitter link instead of an X link) (5) Paste the Twitter link into your Bullspen post (it'll automatically embed)

Thanks for the post (and I do mean that sincerely), but I'll believe it when I see it.

I think I’ll quit while I’m ahead, thanks

Also, a little inside info, I confirmed with someone at USF with authority today that this will be seriously considered. No guarantee that it’ll happen, but you can ignore people who say it absolutely will not happen due to institutional opposition, insurance costs, etc.

I sure hope so. The only thing I'd note is that the coach responsible for a good chunk of those losses over the prior 40 games in 2015 was still the coach when they turned things around. Not so with this coach - he's only four games into his tenure, which to me is more impressive. Need to keep winning and recruiting!

For the record:

#USFWillSinkYourBattleship

Absolutely. Complaining about low attendance to the people who show up and care is complaining to the wrong people.

Heading that direction with Beatrice Woodie

Research: Insuring Feathers, Fur and Football Tradition - Risk & Insurance : Risk & Insurance RISKANDINSURANCE.COM Using live animals as sports mascots requires a focus on risk mitigation.

Yeah, I've seen this point come up in a couple of responses. I said "need," but I didn't really mean need. We can of course play football without it. I guess I meant it more as a proposition.

My understanding (limited, I admit) is that USF would never own or lease the bull. It would continue to live on a farm or pasture, and continue to be owned by the farmer. It would just come for a visit on game days; in effect USF would give it and its handlers a license to make an appearance at the stadium. It would have to be trained to be docile. No one is going to ride it and it is unlikely to be trotted around the stadium. All of this is doable. And if things don't work out, well then - steaks for everyone (jk)!

UT may not want its students getting any ideas about bringing back the football team...

That was my reaction too. Call me a hypocrite (because I really hate the whole P5 setup), but I don't want any of the conferences currently below the American to come any closer to getting a CFP spot. So long as we have this BS caste-based system in place, I want my conference to remain as far ahead the others as possible.

We can walk and chew cud my friend

Yes, that's the article I cited to in my post. I wonder if Suva is still available...

Is it time to revisit this issue? Back in 2009, "USF assistant athletics director Chris Freet said only that "largely due to the liability issues related to having a live bull at Raymond James Stadium, USF athletics does not have any current or future plans for a live mascot at sporting events."" But now that we're going to have an OCS, it seems like a live mascot has again become a possibility. Thoughts? Might be a good time to start training a young bull for 2026.

But do the fish pay for tickets?

Typically, you can come under contract/pricing now, but also provide for specified contract delivery dates. This gives the vendor assurance of the sale and time to manufacture by the specified dates.

I'm sure a structural engineer and/or architect can figure out how to both provide for shade but also leave open the possibility of expansion. While aesthetics are important, these functional/practical concerns are equally important, if not more so.

I agree. I think ADMK also said that it would be expandable, in case we get into a P5 conference and need the extra capacity one day. I think the ability to expand without demolishing the structure is important.