Florida Football...room for USF to be big time?

[Guest bullistic930]

Can USF ever become a household name when discussing Florida football powerhouses?

I say yes.  It's all about the numbers.

I previously attended Auburn.  Both Bama and Auburn have huge fan bases. The state of Alabama has a population of roughly 4.5 million.  That's 4.5 million potential fans to divide up amongst 2 Div I BCS schools.

Everyone (outside of USF of course) seems to think that Florida is a 3 team state.  But why? The population in Florida is 17.8 million...nearly 4 times as big as Alabama. By those calucations, Florida could EASILY support 8 Div I BCS teams with the same zeal that Bama and Auburn are supported in AL.  But there are only 4...which gives USF an even brighter future.

Factors to consider:

1 - There are many more professional sports teams in Florida competing for attention, time and dollars.

2 - A large portion of Floridians (particularly in the Tampa Bay area) are snow birds. If you don't believe this, go to Chicago pizza in Brandon when ANY northern NFL teams are playing..its a zoo. Their loyalties probably lie with their home schools.

3 - Exposure time...No students today were "raised" on USF football. This will change.  USF hasn't really had time to develop its much-needed identity. This will also change. (Will help alot years down the road when we have an OCS......no derog comments please!)

4- Money...as the school builds itself up and becomes more known, alum contributions will likely rise AND local businesses will begin catering more to the USF crowd..the snowball effect takes hold and before you know it, our facilities will rival any other school and we'll be set.

Just something thoughts. It's late and I can't sleep.

[Joe]

I think it will take patience and time to build that type of fanbase, but that doesn't mean we can't be good.

Miami is finally, after 20+ years of hugh level football, bringing fans in more consistently to those games that are not attractive on their schedule. For years (and still to some extent) Miami was treated as a pro team and it ended up hurting when they went on probation and lost scholarships in the mid ot late 90s because teh bandwagoners COMPLETELY ignored the team. I know its a private school, but like them it will take 20 years to consistently get kids to come up as USF fans.

I know several on this board want this team to win and fill with bandwagon fans, but bandwagon fans only do so much for the school. Usually they do not donate (ask Miami) and if the team hits a bump they're gone (ask Miami again). I'm not saying we shouldn't have them at the game, but I think this school should focus their marketing towards the current students to build a fan base of committed fans that are fighting for season tickets by throwing booster bids on the seats when they open.

Give me a Kentucky fanbase over a Miami type of fanbase anyday. Their football team might be aweful, but 60,000+ still show each saturday to watch them play and they are very committed to their team.

[smazza]

yes

usf needs to recruit better players and win

can this happen with leavitt and crew?i say no

but he will have a chance to prove me wrong

[Grateful Dad]

yes

usf needs to recruit better players and win

can this happen with leavitt and crew?i say no

but he will have a chance to prove me wrong

[nukebull]

now thats funny

[E.T.]

LOL ... we have smazza's new signature  ;D

[bulls96go]

makes a good target

[Guest The Real Ari HInkelberger]

South Florida will contend for a national title within the next 10 years.

Bold prediction-- but it will happen.