Unrealistic Expectations

[CousinRicky]

1 minute ago, GaUSFBull said:

For as long as I've been on this board, overall, we have had an over-inflated opinion of ourselves as a program.  I'm as guilty of this as anyone else.

This year, I've backed off in being so emotionally invested ... I've put my family first, and made a point to DVR games so I can watch them after kids have gone to bed, or if they're doing something else that I'm not involved in - bottom line, when things I care about more than USF football are done.  

I have to say, it feels good to have my priorities more in order this year, and I think my family appreciates it more.  It doesn't make the losses feel any better but it certainly keeps my attitude about USF football in check, and I'm more able to give my family the me that they deserve, which is 100%.  

We're very blessed to be in a position where one of our main concerns in life is how our football team is performing.  So many others have far more pressing and dire circumstances - I feel for those people, and when I think about that, my angst over wins and losses for USF seems to wane.  Plus, with the way college football has evolved competitively within the last few years, with the deck being stacked against USF and our conference, I'd be lying if I said that didn't have an effect on my attitude towards football.  

I believe USF will get there one day, but until they do, I plan on rolling with the punches and trying to enjoy every aspect of the ride for what it's supposed to be - a fun diversion from the everyday aspects of life.  

Oh God, my little boy is growing up.   I'm so proud.  Edit: it's a good thing to keep things in perspective. 

Edited November 6, 2018 by CousinRicky

[GaUSFBull]

Just now, CousinRicky said:

Oh God, my little boy is growing up.   I'm so proud.

After 39 years, it's probably about time the failure to launch is corrected, don'tcha think? 

[NewEnglandBull]

1 hour ago, Rizman said:

Boom.  We have a lot of more years ahead to build our project.   First, Win a conference championship. 

 

Not if you are getting older...

Edited November 6, 2018 by NewEnglandBull

[chapelbull]

1 hour ago, Apis Bull said:

If we don't win another game this season, we would average nine wins over the past four seasons.  This is not what I was addressing.  i was referring to the posts that assume that we can get whatever coaches, players, or out of conference games we want and we're simply not doing it.

I understand where you are coming from and I know there will be down years.  But at this point I feel very fortunate to have those 7 wins and in this conference we shouldn't be in that position.  Not if we are anywhere near the program we claim to want to be.

[raptorcj]

2 hours ago, GaUSFBull said:

For as long as I've been on this board, overall, we have had an over-inflated opinion of ourselves as a program.  I'm as guilty of this as anyone else.

This year, I've backed off in being so emotionally invested ... I've put my family first, and made a point to DVR games so I can watch them after kids have gone to bed, or if they're doing something else that I'm not involved in - bottom line, when things I care about more than USF football are done.  

I have to say, it feels good to have my priorities more in order this year, and I think my family appreciates it more.  It doesn't make the losses feel any better but it certainly keeps my attitude about USF football in check, and I'm more able to give my family the me that they deserve, which is 100%.  

We're very blessed to be in a position where one of our main concerns in life is how our football team is performing.  So many others have far more pressing and dire circumstances - I feel for those people, and when I think about that, my angst over wins and losses for USF seems to wane.  Plus, with the way college football has evolved competitively within the last few years, with the deck being stacked against USF and our conference, I'd be lying if I said that didn't have an effect on my attitude towards football.  

I believe USF will get there one day, but until they do, I plan on rolling with the punches and trying to enjoy every aspect of the ride for what it's supposed to be - a fun diversion from the everyday aspects of life.  

same words, my signature. Well put.

[Gobulls90]

3 hours ago, Rizman said:

Boom.  We have a lot of more years ahead to build our project.   First, Win a conference championship. 

 

 

3 hours ago, BDYZR said:

Just wait til next year... again.

Just waiting on that elusive conference championship...

[George_Bullnard_Shaw]

2 hours ago, GaUSFBull said:

For as long as I've been on this board, overall, we have had an over-inflated opinion of ourselves as a program.  I'm as guilty of this as anyone else.

This year, I've backed off in being so emotionally invested ... I've put my family first, and made a point to DVR games so I can watch them after kids have gone to bed, or if they're doing something else that I'm not involved in - bottom line, when things I care about more than USF football are done.  

I have to say, it feels good to have my priorities more in order this year, and I think my family appreciates it more.  It doesn't make the losses feel any better but it certainly keeps my attitude about USF football in check, and I'm more able to give my family the me that they deserve, which is 100%.  

We're very blessed to be in a position where one of our main concerns in life is how our football team is performing.  So many others have far more pressing and dire circumstances - I feel for those people, and when I think about that, my angst over wins and losses for USF seems to wane.  Plus, with the way college football has evolved competitively within the last few years, with the deck being stacked against USF and our conference, I'd be lying if I said that didn't have an effect on my attitude towards football.  

I believe USF will get there one day, but until they do, I plan on rolling with the punches and trying to enjoy every aspect of the ride for what it's supposed to be - a fun diversion from the everyday aspects of life.  

In the context of wanting our football team to be very good, win conference championships, destroy poor teams, not get blown out by Tulane, I'm livid.

In the context of my life and the academic progress and research progress USF has made I really don't care if we go 0-12 outside of that one compartmentalized box that cares about USF football.

Do we have unrealistic expectations? For sure. But as fans we should.

As someone else wiser than I posted years ago "I'm an adult, my emotional investment with the game begins at kick off and ends when the game is over."

2 hours ago, NewEnglandBull said:

Not if you are getting older...

So glad I'm not!

[Rocky Style]

3 hours ago, Apis Bull said:

On several threads over the years, we had members posting things like:  "Just hire coach X", "Just recruit better players", "Just schedule better out of conference games"

I don't think those that post this realize how difficult all of this is for a program like ours.  We all (including USF athletics) would like the best coaches, best players, best games, etc., but the coaches, players, or teams have to want us as well.

I hear what you are saying, but there's also a competitor down the road that is actually doing this (conf championships, big bowl games, undefeated seasons) right now.  Therefore, I see evidence of more potential.

It's better to strive for the best possible outcome and be honest about where you fall short and why.  In terms of money, yes that is going to be a challenge for us, but I am not sure it takes a ton of money to be innovative.

[SilverBull]

1 hour ago, Gobulls90 said:

 

Just waiting on that elusive conference championship...

This is a painful reminder for those of us who have been waiting for going on a half century for the Big Breakthrough USF season.

Maybe we want to consider going back to riflery and swimming (perhaps at the same time).

[GaUSFBull]

1 hour ago, George_Bullnard_Shaw said:

Do we have unrealistic expectations? For sure. But as fans we should.

As someone else wiser than I posted years ago "I'm an adult, my emotional investment with the game begins at kick off and ends when the game is over."

I can live with this ...

1 hour ago, George_Bullnard_Shaw said:

So glad I'm not!

I think you may be Charsibb, reincarnated!!