Oracle: Bulls Want Series to Continue

[Jim Johnson]

Bulls want series to continue

Brendan Galella, Sports Editor

Senior Trae Williams wants the series

with Central Florida to extend beyond

the final scheduled game in Orlando

next season. ORACLE FILE PHOTO

As the Bulls prepare to face Central Florida for the third consecutive season, they are hoping this won't be the final time the Knights visit Raymond James Stadium.

The two schools agreed to play each other four times as part of USF's agreement to leave Conference USA and join the Big East. The final scheduled meeting takes place next season in Orlando.

"I approach every game the same, but playing UCF is even bigger because of the rivalry, and we know they're trying to come in here and knock us off," senior cornerback Trae Williams said. "It's our third year playing them - the war on I-4 and all that - but we're not sure if it's going to be extended."

Along with the competition between the two programs on the field, a major component of the rivalry between the two teams has come behind the scenes in recruiting.

Both programs are vying for in-state talent - 103 of the 111 players on USF's team are from Florida.

USF's ranking has helped tip the favor in its balance, making the game even more important for UCF coach George O'Leary in his attempts to draw talent to his program.

"Of course it matters. If it did not matter, then why do they throw it in your face during recruiting?" O'Leary said during the Conference USA teleconference Monday.

Although USF won first two meetings between the programs, the Knights have already proven they are capable of defeating anyone this year, falling 35-32 to then-ranked No. 6 Texas.

"They're really fired up - their offense is really going," defensive end George Selvie said. "I saw them play Texas and that was a scary game. I was like 'Wow, Central Florida is doing that,' so we know we have to bring our A game."

When the Bulls announced a six-game series with the Miami Hurricanes beginning in 2009, their rivalry with UCF may officially come to an end next season.

According to quarterback Matt Grothe, facing the Knights has been one of the more intense games he's played. The sophomore can't wait renew the rivalry Saturday.

"To see their fans and our fans, how much their fans wanted them to win, how much our fans wanted to win," Grothe said. "Hearing some of the comments I could hear behind me in the stands, how much our fans hate theirs, how much their fans hate ours, it's just building up more and more. It's exciting. I'm looking forward to Saturday."

With no new discussions about continuing its series against the Knights, USF players can only hope the series will continue past 2008.

"Florida State plays the Gators and Miami, so I think we can play Miami and UCF every year," Williams said. "I would continue it. I think it would be a big-time rival like Florida and Miami, games like that."

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[postmortem]

Boo. No thanks on that game anymore.

[MechanicalBull]

Not enough upside to this game.  Look at what what happens when we play the like of Auburn OOC

[Jewbull]

There is no rivalry our boys need to think bigger lets play FSU & UF on a yearly basis no need to waster our time with the school to the east, let them startup a yearly series with FAU & FIU that should help their recuriting.

[BullsWinBucsWin]

I say let our boys think this is a rivalry.  Hopefully it gets them more fired up and doesn't allow them to overlook UCiF.  Then discontinue the series anyway, it just doesn't make sense for us in any way, especially if we can start selling RJS out on a regular basis.

[Sunil]

I think it's a rivalry that should be continued...when the Kniggits join a BCS conference. Until then, it's a no-win game for us outside the fan interest. That's just the way today's BCS-politics work and they know it.

[Jihme]

i say we schedule UCF to replace our I-AA matchup every year

either way, i don't care what it's called as long as our team gets fired up and doesn't overlook it like a game we over looked last week

[Guest JulmisteForPrez]

I don't really care either way.

However, I will say this....

All you guys that say there is "no rivalry" need to step back and observe the pure HATRED a lot of our fans have for UCF.

Some of the venom I see spewed here on a regular basis (not just during the UCF weeks) is vicious.

Seems to indicate a rivalry........no matter what you might say.

A lot of you guys are sending mixed signals.

[katieusf]

^I agree. There IS a rivalry. 'Nuff said.

[TRUTH D. Antagonist]

I say let our boys think this is a rivalry.  Hopefully it gets them more fired up and doesn't allow them to overlook UCiF. 

agreed.

personally, i think it's less of a rivalry and more of a "shut the guy up that constantly talks sh-t" type thing.  

UCiF fans try their hardest to flame us by taking personal shots at our coach, our players and their wives... then when we respond they are QUICK to say "see see it IS a rivalry, look how much u guys hate us!!" ...lol... no, we just want u to STFU.

of course there is an "atmosphere" about this game... it is an in-state game with serious recruiting implications... a similar atmosphere existed down there in Boca/Lauderdale this past Saturday.  the only difference is, there is no level low enough to which UCiF fans will stoop to goad us into "hating" them.