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Philly Inquirer: Neither South Florida nor Pitt where they wanted to be

Jim Johnson

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Jim Johnson Toro Magnifico

Jim Johnson

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philly_newlogo07.gif

Neither South Florida nor Pitt where they wanted to be

ALAN ROBINSON

The Associated Press

PITTSBURGH - Three months later, neither South Florida nor Pittsburgh is exactly where it wanted to be when the college football season opened.

Three consecutive midseason losses put South Florida (8-3, 3-3 Big East) out of the conference title race, the No. 2 spot in the rankings and, worse still, the Top 25 altogether.

Their fall from the rankings occurred nearly as swiftly as their climb.

The Bulls have since rebounded with victories over Syracuse (41-10) and Louisville (55-17), but the best they can hope for by beating Pittsburgh (4-6, 2-3) on Saturday probably is a date in the Sun Bowl. The Gator Bowl on New Year's Day appears to be out of the picture.

"Any bowl for me is an honor," South Florida coach Jim Levitt.

Still, it won't be the bowl the Bulls would have gone to if they had been 12-0, 11-1 or 10-2.

If Pitt's bowl drought extends much longer, the Panthers might be tempted to start their own postseason game. They can finish 6-6 only by upsetting South Florida and No. 4 West Virginia in an eight-day span, and even that improbable scenario likely wouldn't get them into a postseason game.

It's a major disappointment for coach Dave Wannstedt, who still hasn't produced a winning record or a bowl team in three seasons. There will be considerable pressure on the former Bears and Dolphins coach to produce both next season, especially with a new athletic director arriving soon.

Pitt's two-deep chart is loaded with freshmen and sophomores, with predictable results. The Panthers' 20-16 loss at Rutgers last week mirrored that of earlier defeats to Navy (48-45), Louisville (24-17) and Michigan State (17-13) in which they had the ball in scoring range late in the game, but couldn't get a decisive touchdown.

"You'd like to think that if we're 50 percent, that's two more wins," Wannstedt said.

Pitt's offense has been carried most of the season by two freshmen, running back LeSean McCoy (1,125 yards, 11 touchdowns) and quarterback Pat Bostick (61.7 completion percentage, 6 touchdown passes).

Bostick was benched in the second half against Rutgers, and Wannstedt won't announce until game time whether Bostick or redshirt freshman Kevan Smith will start.

Pitt's defense has improved significantly during the last month after giving up a combined 92 points to Navy and Virginia, but the Panthers will be tested by playmaking Bulls quarterback Matt Grothe. He has thrown for 2,314 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushed for 765 yards and nine scores.

Grothe was 17-of-23 for 194 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 67 yards and another score against Louisville. This week, he'll go against Pitt linebacker Scott McKillop, who had 1 1/2 sacks, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and an interception against Rutgers.

"We know what's at stake," said Grothe, who had a touchdown pass and a scoring run as South Florida beat Pitt 22-12 last season. "There are some big bowls we have a chance to go to. If we win this, it's the most wins ever here and gives us an opportunity to win 10 in the bowl game."

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E.T. Toro Magnifico

E.T.

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We still have a ways to go as a program, but 3 straight bowl games is a great foundation.

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MikeG Toro Magnifico

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comparing Pitt to USF is totally ridiculous

how exactly are we totally out of the top 25?

this article sucks donkey balls

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[glow=yellow,2,300]how exactly are we totally out of the top 25?[/glow]

ALAN ROBINSON

The Associated Press

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Texas Tech 89, South Florida 73, . . .

Despite what windbane says, some people don't use the BCS when referring to rankings...

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MikeG Toro Magnifico

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[glow=yellow,2,300]how exactly are we totally out of the top 25?[/glow]

ALAN ROBINSON

The Associated Press

Others Receiving Votes

Texas Tech 89, South Florida 73, . . .

Despite what windbane says, some people don't use the BCS when referring to rankings...

sure-- but are we "totally" out of the top twenty or on the fringe of it even in their completely biased and terrible poll?

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E.T. Toro Magnifico

E.T.

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The article stating "after" the 3 losses.

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MikeG Toro Magnifico

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I hated the article -- typical BS anti-USF--- our season is such a disappointment even though this writer probably never even gave us any shot of winning the **** conference before the season started anyway.

It's pretty easy to write this type of BS when the games have been played.

Disappointing? 8 wins is not a bad thing. I'm sure many teams out there would love to feel this type of disappointment

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Neither South Florida nor Pitt where they wanted to be

Yeah.

Pitt's goal was to go to the Birmingham bowl.

South Florida's goal was to not go to the Birmingham bowl.

Was it only six years ago we were thrilled to be on the same field with this program?

And absolutely shocked that we beat them?

Just goes to show how, despite all the talk of tradition, cachet, and old-money power, things can change in a big hurry in college football.

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