Bowl Game Rumor

[BaltoBull]

 

So here's my question...taking the MAC as an example. Those boys have been playing football for ages. Now, year in and year out - what gets them through the season? It's one thing to know that playing for the NC is a long shot (in a BCS/P5 conference), but quite another to know that the option doesn't exist.

Doesn't look like their football fans need anything to "get them through it". They must just enjoy college football and watching their school/hometown team play ... and they've been doing it for quite a while. The MAC has been in existence for almost 70 years. The youngest football program in the conference, that whippersnapper Ball State, will celebrate 90 years next year. You've got the generational thing there just like you do with the big boys but just on a smaller scale. Harkens back to the day of the University of Tampa. You didn't really go to watch the other team or the huge prize at the end of the season. You went to watch the Spartans play.

 

I really think that taking a step back is more detrimental than to have never had the option to begin with. And you are right about fan exodus. It's gonna be interesting to see what level of 'faithful' we have over the next few years. Just sayin'....

 

The BE experiment was definitely a double edged sword. I think it sped up some badly needed facilities upgrades but it also created, for lack of a better way to put it, a false image in the minds of some of our base.

 

Bingo!

[Hem]

 

If that happens Balto, I hope you'll enjoy sitting in Corbett Soccer Stadium by yourself with the players families watching USF Football play.

 

I'll give you this though, every chance you get to pitch this terrible idealism...you jump up on that soap box.

 

nobody can predict the future in any form. You have no idea how we'd do in the B12.

 

Nor do you, my friend. Optimism, meet pessimism. 

 

And every chance you've gotten to pitch your idealism, even saying we could win a national championship if memory serves me...you've jumped on as well.

 

One of us is right and one of us is wrong in how this will all shake out.

 

But, come on Hem, games are won by the quality of the coaches and the players, right? Sure it can only help. We've got one of the best rated coaches of the offseason, good job Woolard.

 

Given the state of USF's facilities (did I miss something? do we not have excellent facilities? Yes, we do.), lack of history (true) and 'brand presence' (hand in hand with lack of history) compared to the big dogs in the B12,

 

how many recruits do we steal from Texas, Oklahoma and the others? Will being in the B12 allow us to steal recruits from the other "P5" conferences? Did being in a BCS conference help us before? It's all about perception. Did i miss something or did we not just pull the 49th best class in the country off of a 3-9 year? Lets see who we've already "stolen" (all of these are your Power 5 and beyond)

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Chris-Bivins-116358 (Arkansas, USC, etc)

 

http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/player-Sean-Price-96638 (Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, UF, etc)

 

http://rivals.yahoo.com/usf/football/recruiting/player-D'Vario-Montgomery-115466 (Alabama, Arkansas, UF, FSU, LSU, etc)

 

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Andre-Davis-101257 (Arkansas, Miami, FSU, TxTech, etc)

 

http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/player-Todd-Chandler-73802;_ylt=AjRvYorCluL0nWjuAFWzw6hDPZB4 (Kentucky, Miami, USC)

http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/player-Terrence-Mitchell-91473;_ylt=ArGfDSZrXXcwq0VjOtTcZuZDPZB4 (FSU, Miami, Georgia, Tennessee, etc)

http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/player-Derrick-Calloway-130494;_ylt=ArkF_PoTAyMxVZ1rc4_uoOJDPZB4 (UF, TxA&M, Miami, Ohio State, TxTech, etc)

http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/player-Lamar-Robbins-133638;_ylt=AhSzl.VkmVpnu.ArzNF2IA9DPZB4 (Auburn, Michigan St, Oklahoma, etc)

 

 

I could keep going but I think you've got the picture by now

 

 

 

 

 

I think history already played this out in the Big East and for the most part, we lost recruiting battles (we did?). We lost a lot of conference games as a result (I'd say that has more to do with coaching than talent, we have the talent). No depth as a result of not being able to sign a lot of quality players (we have quality players, please go look at our roster and see where the rest of them were offered before choosing USF). Maybe you do, but I just don't see it playing out any differently in the B12 (I see us taking MORE recruits than we already do from "P5" schools a la FSU, Miami and anyone else). There are only so many players, the same number as there were before and almost all of them will make the same choice recruits made before them - go to the school with prestige. (or create their own legacy, ill leave that to the recruiters and our coach to pitch..which he's done a good job of so far) Go to the school with history. Etc...

 

I hate to admit this as well, but the moment USF signs with the B12, the perception will be they are the 'fifth' conference for having to stoop to the level of having to sign USF / UCF, Cincy, UConn, whoever...I think the B12 is cognizant of this in some form. I could be wrong. (BS. The Big12 is only Behind the SEC in terms of a power football league. Adding USF/Cincy/Whatever would not change that)

 

Sure, attendance will suffer. Donations will likely decrease due to the resentment of fans and some of them will RUN to put on their orange and blue, but what can you do? (do you best to get out of the AAC and into a P5)

 

We can't change what is happening, but I think I am looking at things from a rational point of view. (No, we can't but I hope our Administration IS)

 

At this point, I've figured out for the most part how one thing will play out. I thought it had been obvious for a while.

 

I will be pleasantly surprised if things turn out for the better of USF. However, at this point I will not be crushed, disappointed or bitter. I've already grieved. (Agree to disagree)

 

Edited May 21, 2013 by Hem

[WoolyBully]

Thank you, 'preciate the input. It does seem like we got cut on the double-edged BE sword, however. I've put that #2 ranking waaaaaay back in rear view mirror and look at it as a fluke, not a high water mark that we see from time to time. So now, we gotta ask ourselves...what level of support does U of SF garner should we find ourselves, for an extended period of time, in MACdom...a decade plus of the AAC? I think maybe, up around Ohio and PA...maybe MACdom is sustainable. I just don't know about the Sunshine State unless we start getting real fond of FAU and FIU. Load of question marks about the future. And if there's one thing we hate...it's lounging about waiting on the future to get here.

[cmhatter]

Well i don't necessarily think it was a fluke... it depends on how u look at it...

 

From a talent perspective it was a joke, we weren't anywhere near the second best team in the country.

 

From a resume perspective it was warranted. 

[Triple B]

If it's a new game, hope it's either in Tampa or DC

 

Looks like maybe further south ....

 

As the American Athletic Conference looks at a new bowl lineup after the 2013 season, commissioner Mike Aresco said Tuesday that the conference will consider creating its own bowl game, potentially in south Florida ,,,.

 

http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/bulls/american-may-create-new-bowl-in-south-florida/2122259

[CyberBull]

I remember none of our fans showed up for the St. Pete Bowl just down the road a few years ago because we were playing...Memphis ugh! Get ready for more of that in the future.

If by 'none' you are referring to 20k USF fans in attendance at that game then I don't think the word "none" means what you think it means...

[Carolina_Bull]

If it's a new game, hope it's either in Tampa or DC

Looks like maybe further south ....

As the American Athletic Conference looks at a new bowl lineup after the 2013 season, commissioner Mike Aresco said Tuesday that the conference will consider creating its own bowl game, potentially in south Florida ,,,.

http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/bulls/american-may-create-new-bowl-in-south-florida/2122259

Sad quote in article: "The Big East has a strong recent history with bowl games in baseball stadiums."

Replace the word "strong" with word "humiliating" and it makes more sense.

[BaltoBull]

 

 

If that happens Balto, I hope you'll enjoy sitting in Corbett Soccer Stadium by yourself with the players families watching USF Football play.

 

I'll give you this though, every chance you get to pitch this terrible idealism...you jump up on that soap box.

 

nobody can predict the future in any form. You have no idea how we'd do in the B12.

 

Nor do you, my friend. Optimism, meet pessimism. 

 

And every chance you've gotten to pitch your idealism, even saying we could win a national championship if memory serves me...you've jumped on as well.

 

One of us is right and one of us is wrong in how this will all shake out.

 

But, come on Hem, games are won by the quality of the coaches and the players, right? Sure it can only help. We've got one of the best rated coaches of the offseason, good job Woolard.

 

Given the state of USF's facilities (did I miss something? do we not have excellent facilities? Yes, we do.), lack of history (true) and 'brand presence' (hand in hand with lack of history) compared to the big dogs in the B12,

 

how many recruits do we steal from Texas, Oklahoma and the others? Will being in the B12 allow us to steal recruits from the other "P5" conferences? Did being in a BCS conference help us before? It's all about perception. Did i miss something or did we not just pull the 49th best class in the country off of a 3-9 year? Lets see who we've already "stolen" (all of these are your Power 5 and beyond)

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Chris-Bivins-116358 (Arkansas, USC, etc)

 

http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/player-Sean-Price-96638 (Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, UF, etc)

 

http://rivals.yahoo.com/usf/football/recruiting/player-D'Vario-Montgomery-115466 (Alabama, Arkansas, UF, FSU, LSU, etc)

 

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Andre-Davis-101257 (Arkansas, Miami, FSU, TxTech, etc)

 

http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/player-Todd-Chandler-73802;_ylt=AjRvYorCluL0nWjuAFWzw6hDPZB4 (Kentucky, Miami, USC)

http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/player-Terrence-Mitchell-91473;_ylt=ArGfDSZrXXcwq0VjOtTcZuZDPZB4 (FSU, Miami, Georgia, Tennessee, etc)

http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/player-Derrick-Calloway-130494;_ylt=ArkF_PoTAyMxVZ1rc4_uoOJDPZB4 (UF, TxA&M, Miami, Ohio State, TxTech, etc)

http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/player-Lamar-Robbins-133638;_ylt=AhSzl.VkmVpnu.ArzNF2IA9DPZB4 (Auburn, Michigan St, Oklahoma, etc)

 

 

I could keep going but I think you've got the picture by now

 

 

 

 

 

I think history already played this out in the Big East and for the most part, we lost recruiting battles (we did?). We lost a lot of conference games as a result (I'd say that has more to do with coaching than talent, we have the talent). No depth as a result of not being able to sign a lot of quality players (we have quality players, please go look at our roster and see where the rest of them were offered before choosing USF). Maybe you do, but I just don't see it playing out any differently in the B12 (I see us taking MORE recruits than we already do from "P5" schools a la FSU, Miami and anyone else). There are only so many players, the same number as there were before and almost all of them will make the same choice recruits made before them - go to the school with prestige. (or create their own legacy, ill leave that to the recruiters and our coach to pitch..which he's done a good job of so far) Go to the school with history. Etc...

 

I hate to admit this as well, but the moment USF signs with the B12, the perception will be they are the 'fifth' conference for having to stoop to the level of having to sign USF / UCF, Cincy, UConn, whoever...I think the B12 is cognizant of this in some form. I could be wrong. (BS. The Big12 is only Behind the SEC in terms of a power football league. Adding USF/Cincy/Whatever would not change that)

 

Sure, attendance will suffer. Donations will likely decrease due to the resentment of fans and some of them will RUN to put on their orange and blue, but what can you do? (do you best to get out of the AAC and into a P5)

 

We can't change what is happening, but I think I am looking at things from a rational point of view. (No, we can't but I hope our Administration IS)

 

At this point, I've figured out for the most part how one thing will play out. I thought it had been obvious for a while.

 

I will be pleasantly surprised if things turn out for the better of USF. However, at this point I will not be crushed, disappointed or bitter. I've already grieved. (Agree to disagree)

 

 

 

Hey Hem, do you mind if I PM you with my response?

 

We could play it out here, but honestly, since what I will have to say is long and rather detailed, I'd rather keep it off the board. I don't mind if you want to share, post or decorate with it later.

 

You made some valid points and I believe I have a few to bring to your attention as well.

 

I appreciate our dialogue and hope it can continue. I am not asking to do this to waste your (or my) time.

 

Thanks!

[Joe]

I remember none of our fans showed up for the St. Pete Bowl just down the road a few years ago because we were playing...Memphis ugh! Get ready for more of that in the future.

If by 'none' you are referring to 20k USF fans in attendance at that game then I don't think the word "none" means what you think it means...

There were MAYBE 20,000 fans total (both teams), and that was after a campaign on here to purchase unsold allotment for Boys and Girls club, military, and students.

We didn't even sell out our allotment.

[Hem]

Of course Balto! Hit me up