The season ain't over

Ok, so the Big East is probably a little out of reach. But 10-2, with a 5-2 record in the BEAST would still be the best season in school history. Will that happen? No. In fact, we're probably losing at Cincy on Thursday? Why? It's cold, it's night, and apparently, USF is jinxed on Thursday (now that I've said that, I'm hoping against hope that our other personality shows up).

My problem with this season is the constant call for the BEAST to lose its automatic bid, as an SI.com writer suggested. One bad year is not sufficient cause, especially since the conference is 3-0 in the past 3 seasons and has one of the best out-of-conference records over the past 4 years. If the Big East loses its bid, then the ACC better lose theirs first.

I don't want to talk much about the Louisville game. 14 penalties? 8 rushing yards? Bad decisions on special teams (punting on the first drive and the end of the first half, where the timeout nonsense showed the coaches had no clue what they wanted to do). Unacceptable. We beat ourselves, plain and simple. Grothe completed 75% of his passes for almost 350 yards. That's pretty darn good. The two picks were pretty bad, and TJ bailed him out on the wounded duck, but Grothe certainly shouldn't get any blame. Nor should Selvie, Buie, and T-Mac. Those guys played extremely well (and it makes me think that Selvie's injury was far more severe than was let on, because he looked about 10x quicker).

I apportion the blame between the o-line and the coaching staff. The line just didn't open any holes, while the staff failed to prepare for Ron English's defensive schemes and underestimated the Louisville offense (which is baffling, because they've had some good games this year). And the worst part was that the team looked flat. Again. I just don't see why this team can't close.

So I've come up with an analogy: USF is that girl in 9th grade with braces and no fashion sense, but you can tell she'll be hot in a while (USF history until 2005). In 10th grade, she introduces herself to the senior QB, but she pronounces her name wrong (2006). In 11th grade, she finds the star pitcher, but she trips down the stairs during junior prom (last year). In the 12th grade, she and the QB, now a star QB in college, hit it off, but she gets drunk and embarrasses herself in front of the whole team (that's this season). But at some point in college, she ends up dating Tom Brady, Jacoby Ellsbury, or some other pretty boy athlete. And she dumps him (that would be the season when USF wins the Big East and a BCS game. Maybe next year, maybe in two or three).

I put way too much thought into that.

Anyways, what other analogies can people come up with? I'm sure they're out there, I just don't have the cranial capacity to come up with more than one.

AP photo

Comments

[BUll fan]

We need an new D line coach. We lost Dan McCarney and look at the problems USF is having. It reminds me of when Rod M. left the Bucs and we had a year of Jethro Franklin. Get rid of the D line coaches, raise the pay to get someone worth a darn.

[Bull Daly]

This team misses both Trae Williams and Mike Jenkins this year in the worse way. The turnovers are just not there with USF this year. Over the past four years, USF was one of the top teams to force turnovers. I think that is the biggest difference.

[Bullshark]

We're also getting beat deep and that was not something that happened but a few times last year. Even against NC State, we gave up big plays, against Pitt, their 1st score and UL's 1st score.

Offensively, we never got off the plane. Forgetting the 8 yards in the 2nd half, there was absolutely no creativity in the play calling, we did what they expected us to do and because of that they were able to win. I'm not quite following how with our athletes and reciever speed on offense, for the second time this season, they can't get open.

I'm somewhat okay with an offsides or false start here and there, but the coaches really need to make sure these guys walk away from taunting. The 15 yard personal foul calls were insane. As mentioned in the blog, with 6 seconds on the clock just before 1/2 time, we have one of the best QBs in the BE and CJL didn't want to take a shot, points aisde (which we of course needed) when did we start having more confidence in the kicing game than Grothe???

[Jason Strickland]

David, Your comments are right on...USF continues to be on the cusp; however, they can't seem to take final steps. Last season's three game losing streak was by a combined 15 points. The two losses this year are only by 9 points. We hang in there on games, but we don't pound them with authority. Yes, Thursday night games haunt the Bulls. Ultimately, our team knows they shouldn't be a Top 10 team (15-25 in the rankings is more appropriate), and they continually choke in those situations (prime time with a high ranking).
This Thursday night will be different: I think we'll come out with "shock and awe" because we're more comfortable with the lower national ranking. It's as simple as this: the players and coaching staff let the rankings get to their heads and continue to believe they are better than they really are.
USF should be nationally ranked, and dangling just close enough to the bottom to fall out of those rankings will be their motivation to pound the Bearcats two days from now.

[Julio Silverwolf]

I hate to say that we may be a bit overrated this year. The team for the most part is still young, and only looks up for 2009. USF needs to capture a couple of Miami blue chippers to ever have a chance at a National Title Run.

[Jimleavingyet]

Players play and coaches coach. Neither part have done their jobs consistantly this year. This season falls on the coaches. There is no excuse for the inconsistent play and no its not a jinx.