Big 4: What will it take?

[Rabbi Bull]

Wanted to add something:

USF fans are always quick to downplay history and focus on current success. We HAVE to. But there is something to be said for history. Think of it this way. Imagine if USF continues on its rapid rise to the ranks of the elite. Lets say over the next 10 years we accomplish all those criteria I mentioned in the original post and that even the most skeptical Big 3 fans are finally willing to admit there is a Big 4.

Now, imagine that we have a down year (injuries, whatever) and an inspired UCF team pulls off an upset in Orlando. The next day, OLeary announces the arrival of the Big 5, without any conference titles, major bowl wins, etc, to his name.

Suddenly, history would be very important and WE would be quick to point out that UCF has much still to accomplish before making it a Big 5.

I'm just saying.

umm..UCF won the CUSA Conference title a few years ago.

[smazza]

Leavitt says you have to beat one of the Big 3 to be considered a Big 4 member. Do you agree with this? It's not like there's some Big 4 Committee out there who can officially deem USF a member...so it's somewhat ambiguous. I tend to disagree.

Let's say we beat Miami this year. I just don't see anyone announcing "yep, USF is right up there with the Big 3" (other than maybe CJL or Judy)

Personally, I think the recipe consists of four ingredients:

1. A string of dominant years in the Big East, with a couple of conference championships

2. Beat each member of the Big 3 at least once

3. A national championship

4. A couple of good showings in major BCS bowls against quality competition

At that point, I think even Big 3 members (who would be the least willing to admit a n00b into their exclusive club) would probably be receptive to the idea.

What say you?

winning one game doesnt  cut it but it is a start

[Brad]

I agree, and it looks like Leavitt does too.

Leavitt says you have to beat one of the Big 3 to be considered a Big 4 member.

Let's beat one and then consider it.

[NormalBull]

We need a whole lot more player arrests and suspensions and maybe a little NCAA probation to catch up with the big three.  Oh, and a coach that is willing to look the other way and say, "Boys will be boys."  Yep.  That would start to get us on par with the big three.

Normal

[Stier]

You have to succeed enough to start impacting their programs.  That's when you've become one of the gang.  It's not when the fans acknowledge it bc some in those circles will NEVER give USF any credit regardless of what we do.  Sort of the "old money" vs. "new money" thing.

When we start going in and grabbing recruits they want on a REGULAR BASIS, then USF for all intents and purposes has arrived in the minds of those coaches which is all that matters.  Bc if we're stealing 4 and 5 star guys with regularity, then the other items on all these lists will fall into place bc the talent will be there to do it.  Before we grabbed guys like Daniels, Giddens, Barrington etc, we were lumped in with UCF by those 3.  Now, without even playing a game against them, you can already tell we're really not in those same conversations with UCF, but we're not up there with them either.

The fact they're "hating" on us already shows we have their attention.  Beating them so we can steal MORE big time recruits THEY WANT is the next step bc it all starts with recruiting.  Its the recruits who determine who are the major players TODAY and they do that with where they choose to go.  As we can see with this last class.  We're getting closer, but we're definitely not there yet.

This!

[psteazy]

It's already the Big 4 as far as recognition goes.

Everyone knows USF, were in a BCS conference, we get great recruits, its not like were some small school that's completely off the radar.

Win or lose were not just going to fade away after this season.

[SRQ]

big 4 from what perspective?

BCS member - we're in

Nat'l champioships - we're not close

Current season/bowl successes - is there really even a big 3 or 4 in FL  (just big 1 really)

[BULLO12]

Dominate your conference on a consistent basis.

Plain and simple don't be a flash in the pan.

[The New "U"]

Even if we blow out Miami and FSU this year we won't be part of a legit "Big 4" to most people. Most will recognize that we're better than those two teams but most also aren't blind and can see that FSU/UM are down historically. If we manage to beat UF (assuming they don't implode post-Teblow) and win a conference championship by that time we'll be considered legitimate I believe.

In summary, by the time our season against the Gators ends we need to have: 1. beat FSU, 2. beat UM at least once, 3. beat or stayed close to a great UF (not a good one), 4. won the BE at least once.

That's a whole lot to accomplish in 2 years, it'll probably be a "five year" plan for being considered in the big 4. The criteria doesn't really change, just gives us more tries to do it.