Countdown To Kickoff Subject #5 - Bulls And Rays vs The Evil Empires

[bull2bull]

Watching the Rays Sunday Night dismantle the wildcard hopes of the Boston RedSox reminded me of the similarities our Bulls have with Rays and their fight with the Evil Empire of the New York Yankees.

We all have friends, co-workers and relatives that are part of Gator Nation. Heck we even have the "realist" Bulls fans on this board that appear to be card-carrying members of Gator Nation. You also remember at some point they said something very arrogant about the Gator's expected success without any basis. The Gators are going to whup you cuz they..are.....the Gators. I have replied back before with a "that is why the rest of the nation hates you guys...you are talking stereotypical Gator-speak with no real facts to back it up".

So the Gators and the Yankees are very similar as are the Bulls and the Rays.

If you are not a Yankee Fan or part of Gator Nation, you despise them to no end. If you are a Rays or Bulls fan, you are pissed with the lack of respect, support and media coverage. Look at the following subjects as they apply to both sets of teams.

Gators / Yankees

- You respect the actual team for their accomplishments and the level of skill that they have.

- There is some jealousy in wanting your team to have similar success.

- There is some jealousy in the level of support that they receive from alumni, fans and the media.

- They have more money and resources then most of the teams they oppose.

- Their fans, accustom to success, become blinded with ignorance and arrogance.

- The media, caught up in the frenzy of their success and support, drown the rest of the nation with their coverage. The Yankees and Gators have radio affiliates everywhere and they usually get more press than the local teams especially here in Florida.

Bulls / Rays

- Both operating with a budget that is a third of what The Evil Empire has.

- Both relatively new to their sport. Both playing for less than 20 years while The Evil Empire has a century head start.

- Prior to 2008 (Rays), there was no history of championships of any kind.

- Fan Support is comparatively low.

- Media Coverage is comparatively low.

So what I am saying is somehow a team like the Rays in both 2008 and now have been competitive against the Yankees and RedSox with a salary level that is one third of those two teams. Yet they are bucking the trend and winning anyways! We were not suppose to be this successful so early on. It is now the Bulls turn to be competitive and remain competitive throughout the entire season.

It would be nice to get Joe Maddon to stop by the University and speak to the team and share his mental philosophy. Anybody know someone in the Rays organization?

Time to earn respect! May the force be with the Bulls and Rays! Down with the Evil Empire. Go Bulls

[DELdaBull]

Nice analogy.

[Mama_Bull]

I don't know about getting Maddon, but the last time Lou "the doctor" Holtz gave USF a pregame pep talk was right before the WVU game when we were also big underdogs and we won. Might be a good idea to have him come to UF and do it again. WAR BUMBLE BEE! 

[BULLSHTR]

I don't know about getting Maddon, but the last time Lou "the doctor" Holtz gave USF a pregame pep talk was right before the WVU game when we were also big underdogs and we won. Might be a good idea to have him come to UF and do it again. WAR BUMBLE BEE! 

Zero sarcasm: THAT WOULD BE LEGENDARY.