Gator Losses at the Swamp

[Big4]

USF has had to go on the road to face most big teams because your program is 13 YEARS OLD. Imagine that...an upstart program from the state of Florida trying to make a name for themselves and escape the shadow of 3 other in-state schools that have a combined 10 national titles between them and have played in many other title games.  It's no surprise that you would play more ranked opponents on the road than a team that has won 3 titles in the last 14 years. 

Florida isn't the only big program in the country that plays more big games at their home.  The fact of the matter is also that Florida plays in the toughest conference in the country.  So, they won't always feel obligated to schedule one or two roadies to appease critics they don't care about.

There are plenty more established teams that still travel for nonconference games. Just this weekend, we're seeing Penn State/Alabama, Oklahoma/Florida State, Miami/Ohio State... USC traveled all the way to the East Coast a few years ago to play freaking Virginia, one of the worst BCS conference teams. They also played Arkansas, Ohio State, etc. Oklahoma will travel to Cincinnati this year, Pitt will host Miami, Auburn recently had a home-and-home with West Virginia, and LSU hosts WVU later this year in the first leg of a home-and-home. LSU also played UNC at home this year with a return trip planned for later.

Don't act like Florida is the norm, they aren't. No team immediately comes to mind that has both been an elite program AND refuses to play tough non-conference foes the way Florida does. The SEC is not what it was a few years ago. It's still good, but it's not so much better than the other BCS conferences that it's going to make up for it forever. Florida's offense looks anemic. LSU struggled with a depleted North Carolina team. Ole Miss lost at home to an FCS school. South Carolina doesn't look so hot. Alabama will probably be great again, but beyond the Tide everyone else in the SEC has major question marks.

And yes, Jeremy Foley may not schedule those hard road FB games.  And call him a female body part if you wish.  But, save for the Zook hire 9 years ago, the guy has employed coaches that have won 3 titles in football, 2 in basketball, appearances in the CWS and countless other sports titles that routinely put Florida in the top 5/10 of the Directors' Cup standings.  So, suffice it to say...we'll leave the logistics up to him.

I agree, Foley has earned his great reputation.

I'm not saying what Florida does scheduling wise is right or wrong or "the norm".  I'm just stating the logic that is used.  I would be fine if they scheduled the occasional road game. They tried with Utah, but it fell through.  They go on the road in a couple years to Miami.  Yes, it's not out of state, but it should be when Miami is good again. 

And I wasn't stating that this year is going to be a special SEC year.  But, in the last 4 years, the national champion has come from the league.  Since 2003, the SEC has had 5 national champions and an Auburn team that went 13-0.  So, the league has been good over that time.  And this year, the teams you're using for your argument have played 1 game.  South Carolina didn't look like world beaters, but they looked pretty good.  Florida played a miserable game.  I don't think you can accurately say the league is going to suck because your read box scores from WEEK ONE.  Should I mail it in on Adrian Peterson because he didn't get 100 yards last night?  I agree with much of your logic, but I think you might be a little trigger happy on the "SEC is down" point.  Let's wait and see.

And we agree on Foley.  ;D

[Mr Irrelevant]

Don't act like Florida is the norm, they aren't. No team immediately comes to mind that has both been an elite program AND refuses to play tough non-conference foes the way Florida does.

Ummmmm....They play FSU every year. Are they not tough? I know they have been down, but I would consider them a tough game for us so why not for them. They also play Miami several times a decade. Are they not tough?

Schools like Texas, Penn St, Okla, Ohio St,etc... don't have a permanant OOC rival. So that's the reason they play different schools. If Florida didn't have FSU and Miami I am sure they would be scheduling games just like the rest of these schools. I don't understand why the Gators don't get credit for playing FSU.

[Rizman]

Maybe we can get the state legislature to mandate the Florida play us every year and come to Tampa.

[Big4]

Maybe we can get the state legislature to mandate the Florida play us every year and come to Tampa.

I'd love a rotation of some sort between USF and Miami.  That'd be great for the "Big 4" argument.

Also, I think Florida fans would represent very well at Raymond James...even though our jorts would scratch up your beloved NFL seats.

[Mr Irrelevant]

Maybe we can get the state legislature to mandate the Florida play us every year and come to Tampa.

They need one to mandate we play UCF every year too

[South_Florida_Flip]

Maybe we can get the state legislature to mandate the Florida play us every year and come to Tampa.

They need one to mandate we play UCF every year too

Might as well put FAU and FIU in there if you're going to toss UCF's name in the mix.

[Big4]

Maybe we can get the state legislature to mandate the Florida play us every year and come to Tampa.

They need one to mandate we play UCF every year too

Might as well put FAU and FIU in there if you're going to toss UCF's name in the mix.

Don't you tarnish the good name of the Owls from Boca Raton!  >

[2000bull]

Maybe we can get the state legislature to mandate the Florida play us every year and come to Tampa.

They need one to mandate we play UCF every year too

Might as well put FAU and FIU in there if you're going to toss UCF's name in the mix.

heck, you should throw in Famu and Bethune - Cookman then too  ;D

[NCBull]

Florida routinely finishes in the top 5 of the football programs that make the most money and finish in the black.  Some of that has to do with home games.  Back in the day, Florida dropped Miami from the schedule.  The argument has gone back and forth...due to money, due to their inability to beat Miami at the time.  Probably some of both and more of the latter. 

USF has had to go on the road to face most big teams because your program is 13 YEARS OLD. Imagine that...an upstart program from the state of Florida trying to make a name for themselves and escape the shadow of 3 other in-state schools that have a combined 10 national titles between them and have played in many other title games.  It's no surprise that you would play more ranked opponents on the road than a team that has won 3 titles in the last 14 years. 

Florida isn't the only big program in the country that plays more big games at their home.  The fact of the matter is also that Florida plays in the toughest conference in the country.  So, they won't always feel obligated to schedule one or two roadies to appease critics they don't care about.

You can make the "Tebow crying" comment all you want.  He won a Heisman and two SEC/NC championships and 3 BCS bowl games altogether...one against the champion of your conference last year.  Comparing our two programs is like apples and oranges. 

And yes, Jeremy Foley may not schedule those hard road FB games.  And call him a female body part if you wish.  But, save for the Zook hire 9 years ago, the guy has employed coaches that have won 3 titles in football, 2 in basketball, appearances in the CWS and countless other sports titles that routinely put Florida in the top 5/10 of the Directors' Cup standings.  So, suffice it to say...we'll leave the logistics up to him.

I applaud what you guys have done in such a short time and if you come in a give Florida a good game and manage to win...I'll be here first thing Monday morning to congratulate all of you on the win. 

I'll be here looking for you.

[GatorMarc]

There are plenty more established teams that still travel for nonconference games. Just this weekend, we're seeing Penn State/Alabama, Oklahoma/Florida State, Miami/Ohio State... USC traveled all the way to the East Coast a few years ago to play freaking Virginia, one of the worst BCS conference teams. They also played Arkansas, Ohio State, etc. Oklahoma will travel to Cincinnati this year, Pitt will host Miami, Auburn recently had a home-and-home with West Virginia, and LSU hosts WVU later this year in the first leg of a home-and-home. LSU also played UNC at home this year with a return trip planned for later.

Most of the examples that you've given are teams who do not have a regular OOC rivalry like Florida and FSU have.

Don't act like Florida is the norm, they aren't. No team immediately comes to mind that has both been an elite program AND refuses to play tough non-conference foes the way Florida does.

We play FSU every year. Let's pick your first two examples of great OOC scheduling teams from above and compare to Florida.

Ohio State:

Marshall

Miami

Ohio

Eastern Michigan

Alabama:

San Jose State

Penn State

Duke

Georgia State

Florida:

Miami (Oh)

USF

Appy State

FSU

The SEC is not what it was a few years ago. It's still good, but it's not so much better than the other BCS conferences that it's going to make up for it forever. Florida's offense looks anemic. LSU struggled with a depleted North Carolina team. Ole Miss lost at home to an FCS school. South Carolina doesn't look so hot. Alabama will probably be great again, but beyond the Tide everyone else in the SEC has major question marks.

Yep... I've gotten into this conversation with folks before.

First, you'll remove the SEC component, then you'll remove FSU. Last, you'll cherry pick a single game from another team's schedule to show that it's better than the 1/4 of UF's schedule that we've decided UF is allowed to count.