Saturday’s stakes huge for below-radar Bulls

[bullsmeanbusiness]

Two certainties have reared themselves within the USF demographic today. As sure as September precipitation, Bulls fans are snickering toward Tallahassee and sneering at the latest Associated Press rankings.

Not surprisingly, the Bulls' 34-14 romp of Division I-AA Elon hardly fazed AP voters, none of whom put USF in their respective top 25 this week. While that snub surely elicits a grumble across most of the fan base, it should surprise no one.

Fact is, USF's opportunities to really permeate the consciousness of voters this season are few.

Hence the reason Saturday's contest against Georgia Tech is so critical. In terms of gaining national cachet, it's the most significant game of the year.

"You look at it, we're a Group of Five, we're not Power Five," coach Charlie Strong said Monday. "So then when you do get a chance to play a Power Five team, you have to go play well. Because what that does is, it opens up people's eyes."

With a nationally televised conquest of the Yellow Jackets' patented flexbone triple option, USF not only re-emerges on the national radar, but sets itself up for a possible 7-0 start.

The Bulls' ensuing five games are against Big Ten doormat Illinois (which needed a second-half rally Saturday to defeat Kent State), East Carolina (a 28-23 loser Sunday to North Carolina A&T), UMass (a 55-21 loser Saturday to Boston College), Tulsa and Connecticut.

But that stretch of games represents a two-edged scheduling sword. If the Bulls fall to the Jackets, they're likely staying unranked even if they win the next five.

In a 6-1 scenario, national respect (and a ranking) only will come with a dazzling finish down the stretch, which includes games at Houston, Cincinnati and Temple, followed by the Nov. 23 showdown at home against UCF.

Translation: If the Bulls want to be ranked while the weather's still humid, they absolutely must win Saturday.

"You need to play well against Power Five teams," Strong said.

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/usf-bulls/2018/09/04/saturdays-stakes-huge-for-below-radar-bulls/

[El_Toro_86]

This is one of those opportunities on a national stage where USF can make a statement, but ultimately ends up crapping  the bed. Here’s hoping for a different outcome.  Go Bulls!

[bullcocky101]

24 minutes ago, El_Toro_86 said:

This is one of those opportunities on a national stage where USF can make a statement, but ultimately ends up crapping  the bed. Here’s hoping for a different outcome.  Go Bulls!

You have it all wrong. Bulls M.O. will be to win against Georgia tech, beat Illinois, get ranked, and lose to ECU at home. We have to build up the excitement for the let down to be at peak effectiveness! =P

[NewEnglandBull]

1 hour ago, bullcocky101 said:

You have it all wrong. Bulls M.O. will be to win against Georgia tech, beat Illinois, get ranked, and lose to ECU at home. We have to build up the excitement for the let down to be at peak effectiveness! =P

There will be bridge jumpers if we lose to ECU...

[206BULL]

1 hour ago, bullcocky101 said:

You have it all wrong. Bulls M.O. will be to win against Georgia tech, beat Illinois, get ranked, and lose to ECU at home. We have to build up the excitement for the let down to be at peak effectiveness! =P

I say you're still off a tad bit. Have to make it all the way through the OOC slate, historically we **** the bed at Tulsa. The only thing we have going for us in that game is that it's a Friday and not a Thursday. It checks all the boxes, undefeated through OOC, conference road game in October and week night.

Edited September 4, 2018 by 206BULL
Autocorrect

[NewEnglandBull]

1 minute ago, 206BULL said:

I say you're still off a tad bit. Have to make it all the way through the OOC slate, historically we **** the bed at Tulsa. The only thing we have going for us in that game is that it's a Friday and not a Thursday. It checks all the boxes, undefeated through OOC, conference road game in October and week night.

Think temple or Cincy part of back to back road games. 

[jchem1995]

2 hours ago, El_Toro_86 said:

This is one of those opportunities on a national stage where USF can make a statement, but ultimately ends up crapping  the bed. Here’s hoping for a different outcome.  Go Bulls!

Come on man, let it go ! Maybe USF will have changed the sheets.... jeeze, LOL dude. I know I’m there with you, BTW.

[hm101]

Less important than winning the conference 

[Gatorbull325]

3 hours ago, El_Toro_86 said:

This is one of those opportunities on a national stage where USF can make a statement, but ultimately ends up crapping  the bed. Here’s hoping for a different outcome.  Go Bulls!

Man you aint lying. 

[El_Toro_86]

2 hours ago, jchem1995 said:

Come on man, let it go ! Maybe USF will have changed the sheets.... jeeze, LOL dude. I know I’m there with you, BTW.

I hear ya bro.  Got some deep scars that haven’t quite healed yet...lol