State of Florida football might have reason to be

[ChiTownBull]

http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/story/8911350

State of Florida football might have reason to be Bullish

South Florida traveling to Miami begs the question: Can the Big Three become the Big Four?

The Bulls raised the question, at least in a philosophical sense, after beating then-No. 9 Louisville. The Florida-Florida State-Miami cartel supposedly is an exclusive club that can never expand. But South Florida's big victory suggests it might be the next Florida to break through to become a major-conference power in the state.

"Is it even possible?" Bulls coach Jim Leavitt said this week in an interview with SportsLine.com. "A team has to win over a period of time. Plus, it has to be in a BCS conference. The big thing about the Big East is television.

"I can already feel the push. It's the American Dream."

"That's why we wanted them on the schedule," Miami coach Larry Coker said. "We probably would not have scheduled South Florida if they were not a BCS team."

Leavitt is not saying his team will win in Miami. In fact, he is grumbling about having to play the game. A former administrator basically told him that it was either LSU or Miami on Saturday. Pick your poison so the school can pick up a paycheck.

There's a good reason for that. South Florida's budget ($18 million) is tip money compared to the Big Three. Florida leads the way at $64 million. Miami is at $47 million. Florida State has a $33 million budget.

South Florida, Central Florida, Florida Atlantic and Florida International still land mostly Florida players the Big Three don't want. It takes a bit of luck, such as Miami getting a home game in the Orange Bowl 21 years ago against Nebraska. That night was the unofficial coming out of the state of Florida as a recruiting hotbed.

"There is plenty of talent in Florida; teams from all over the country come in and recruit in the area," rivals.com recruiting guru Jeremy Crabtree said. "I think there is a room if a program is willing to dedicate itself, improve and upgrade facilities."

South Florida football was operating out of trailers a few years ago. Now it has state-of-the-art facilities. State-of-the-art players might follow.

They'll be asked to bring their own pillows. South Florida is busing it five hours from Tampa to Miami instead of taking an hour plane flight.

[Guest AutoMax2]

Former administrator? Now who has left the school (maybe just their position) since the game was signed? Hmmmmm.

[ChiTownBull]

LRS??

Not sure why CJL would be so opposed to the game since it a 1 for 1.

[bulls96go]

LRS??

Not sure why CJL would be so opposed to the game since it a 1 for 1.

JL knew we would not be ready to play a UM or LSU this year. in 3 yrs yes

the same as he knew we would not be ready for UCF until this year.

but money is money!

and we may surprise UM!

[smazza]

leavitt is weird about scheduling

why wouldn't you want to play the best?

[Markeymark]

We played #1 Oklahoma a couple years back. It's not like this is uncharted territory or anything. If Leavitt has them going in with the same attitude as Louisville & Pitt we can definately pull off another upset.

[E.T.]

I have a hard time BULLieving un-named sources.