As if we didn't know...

[Brad]

USF is better team, better program

Jemele Hill

SPORTS COMMENTARY

September 18, 2005

TAMPA -- Why was South Florida even worried?

The way some USF people whined about having to play UCF, you would have thought the Bulls were being forced to play the Kansas City Chiefs at Raymond James Stadium and not a team with the nation's longest losing streak.

After Saturday's convincing 31-14 blowout, USF deserves the right to gloat and point fingers at anyone who believed UCF would break its infamous losing streak on the Bulls' turf. (Although the Bulls should do their gloating privately since no respectable member of the Big East ever would take pride in handing a team its 17th consecutive loss.)

Now we can make it official:

USF was right.

Right for thinking big with its football program. Right for using the Tampa Bay market as an attractive caveat for the Big East. Right for not playing this game until being sure the Golden Knights would be blasted back to Orlando.

Right, right, right.

Now the Bulls can say definitively they chose the smarter route in building their program.

Hard to believe the Bulls played their first game 18 years after UCF played its first football game. Most of Saturday, it looked as if UCF football hadn't existed 18 minutes before the Bulls, much less nearly two full decades. Imagine how it would feel to realize your younger sibling is smarter, more attractive and more talented.

The disparities between the programs were evident when the Bulls scored the first touchdown of the game - and not because Andre Hall ran through UCF like an NFL contract was waiting in the end zone.

A flag was thrown after Hall's 1-yard run because UCF had 12 men on the field. Then before the Bulls could kick the extra point, the ref threw another flag. UCF again had 12 men on the field. So even when stupidity gave the Knights a small advantage, they still couldn't stop USF.

"I was happy not thinking about them as much as our execution," USF Coach Jim Leavitt said. "We know this is an important game. I really thought it might come [down] to the last play of the game."

If Leavitt believes that, he should be drug-tested.

The Bulls were faster and stronger than UCF. How silly it was to question why they entered the game as 9-point favorites.

So if USF is so far beyond UCF, why even play this game?

As much as the Bulls proved to be in a different class, there is hope this series can be watchable and entertaining.

That 45,139 fans came to the game justifies the interest and warrants the schools agreeing to play this game after 2006.

Let's hope UCF was so embarrassed by losing that it will put up a serious fight when the Bulls come to Orlando next season. That's the only way this game ever will mean anything.

Certainly after Saturday, UCF fans have plenty of hatred for the Bulls. It's just too bad all the other end feels is pity.

Jemele Hill can be reached at jhill@orlandosentinel.com

Story Link

[bulls96go]

right

[puc86]

I could not have said it any better myself.

[GarySJ]

"I was happy not thinking about them as much as our execution," USF Coach Jim Leavitt said. "We know this is an important game. I really thought it might come [down] to the last play of the game."

If Leavitt believes that, he should be drug-tested.

Please. He says that about every opponent, including FAMU last week and all three Charleston Southern games.

Besides, the last time a team with a long losing streak (Army) came to RJS, they won. CJL is wise not to underestimate anyone.

[Markeymark]

true

[MikeG]

Actually, Army had just broken their losing streak before our game with them.

But the point is valid about what CJL coach speak generally sounds like.

[USFootball]

Guys...hes talking to the media, what coach would dare say "Well this team sucks, we shouldnt have to play them, this is BS." Sorry but he has to take the high road...no matter how unture it is...

[The Sheriff]

Steve Spurrier.

[The Sheriff]

Ken Erickson (USF Softball coach).