How can you not post Bianchi's blather? USF's Ego?

[Brad]

Orlando's second most notorious chowderhead lets it rip again...

Rivalry has fallen victim to USF's big-time ego

Mike Bianchi

SPORTS COMMENTARY

July 30, 2006

TAMPA -- Why are we still having this conversation?

Why is it that every year when college football coaches from across the state get together for their preseason press powwow that the same scenario always develops?

Here's the drill:

UCF coach says he wants to play South Florida on an annual basis.

USF coach (or representative) hems and haws and says, in effect, "We'll have to get back to you on that."

"I would sign the contract right now -- today, tomorrow, whenever," UCF Coach George O'Leary said at the Florida Sports Writers Association's annual weekend get-together with state coaches. "I've made it very clear that I'd like to continue that series every year."

When queried about his impression of whether USF is as eager as UCF to sign a contract that would make the game an annual fixture, O'Leary tried to be coy but was about as subtle as a Busta Rhymes video.

"I want the game," O'Leary said. "If we don't have a game, what's that tell you?"

After much public pressure from fans, media and even state legislators, USF finally agreed to play UCF last season in Tampa and again this season in Orlando. But after this year's game, nothing is certain. Even though the two schools have a contract option to extend the series for two more years, either school can opt out of the deal.

Asked Saturday why the Bulls haven't already extended the contract, USF Assistant Athletic Director John Gerdes replied, "We have to see how a series with UCF would work with the rest of our schedule."

I've got a much better idea:

Make it work.

What's the holdup here? Why the rhetoric and rigmarole?

Here's all you need to know: The inaugural UCF-USF game in Tampa last season drew an announced attendance of 45,139, the second-largest crowd in USF football history. And that was with UCF coming off a winless season and USF coming off a 4-7 record. Imagine what this series would turn into if both schools realize their goal of becoming a perennial Top 25 program.

USF's stubbornness on this issue is baffling. Obviously, based on the attendance last year, this is a game fans want to see.

So why not let them see it? What a novel thought that is, huh -- actually tossing the fans a bone every now and then?

It's amazing that USF's administration would allow its athletic department to run up millions of dollars of debt and then, because of sheer arrogance, turn its back on a game that would no doubt be the biggest payday of the season.

"An empty seat has never bought a hot dog and a Coke," O'Leary correctly points out. "Both schools have some trouble getting fans to their games. This is a game that will come close to filling both stadiums. It's a game the fan base and the student bodies look forward to."

O'Leary laughs.

"And after the way we played them last year [a 31-14 USF victory], I don't know why they wouldn't want the game every season."

So let's review again why the game should be played on an annual basis:

Because it's college football -- a sport in which history and heritage have been built largely by similar schools from the same geographic region developing rivalries.

Because it makes money.

Because the fans want it. The players want it. The public wants it.

Now let's review why the game is not being played on an annual basis:

Because USF has deluded itself into thinking it's big time.

Reality check, USF: You've been to one minuscule bowl game and have a 10-13 record during the past two seasons. There's more to being big time than getting invited into the Big East.

Florida State became big time by taking on all comers. So did Miami. You don't become big time by dodging and ducking your biggest rival.

As O'Leary likes to say: "The place to settle these things is on the field. I'm not from Missouri, but 'show me' what you're about on Saturdays."

One more time, we make this plea:

Let's end this game of chicken and get ready for some football.

Mike Bianchi can be reached at mbianchi@orlandosentinel.com.

Story Link

[Brad]

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Rich....

[Joe]

Bianchi loves email (seriously, he'll even respond to many) so make sure you counter and not blast him. He gets a rise out of people who just blast him.

I like Bianchi, he's won many awards and does hit a nerve from time to time. While I don't agree with what he says here, he did do exactly what a sports columnist should do...he got a response.

I emailed if he responds I'll post it.

[Brad]

O'Leary:  We want the Bulls.

Leavitt:  We want the 'Canes.

Sorry.

[bullwark]

I would prefer a rivalry with the Canes, the Noles, or the Gaytors.  Those teams are in the BCS, let UCF develop a series with FAU.  USF needs to generate a buzz nation wide and by playing anyone of those schools on a yearly basis would provide it.  However, until that time lets play UCF it generates some money and buzz in Tampa and Orlando lets the fans of each school to have some fun.  But, in the long run USF needs to develop a rivalry with a BCS school.

[___ Eats It]

My favorite part:

Florida State became big time by taking on all comers. So did Miami. You don't become big time by dodging and ducking your biggest rival.

Exactly.  They became big time by taking on ALL comers, meaning teams that were far ahead of them, trying to establish their name on the national scale.  They didn't play every podunk non-BCS nobody.  In the 70's, the games against Memphis didn't put them on the map, the ones against Florida, Clemson, and the like did.

If playing UCF meant we'd increase our national profile, I'd say go for it.  But it doesn't and it won't.

UCF NEEDS this game.  It's just another throwaway OOC game for us.

[BigShoop]

Am I the only one that agrees 100% with the article?

[smazza]

how MANY  more  beat downs will it take for ftu/ou/oc to cry uncle?

they remind me of the bully that always gets beat up

[smazza]

My favorite part:

Florida State became big time by taking on all comers. So did Miami. You don't become big time by dodging and ducking your biggest rival.

Exactly.  They became big time by taking on ALL comers, meaning teams that were far ahead of them, trying to establish their name on the national scale.  They didn't play every podunk non-BCS nobody.  

If playing UCF meant we'd increase our national profile, I'd say go for it.  But it doesn't and it won't.

UCF NEEDS this game.  It's just another throwaway OOC game for us.

this is of course very true

[Joe]

Am I the only one that agrees 100% with the article?

I don't agree with it 100% but I do agree with parts (attendance). We're big time in name (BCS), and you cannot take that away, whether we're big time on the field needs to be shown this season.