Finally, some heart!

Steve put a nice comment after my previous blog entry. I missed every one of my predictions. I'm ecstatic that I did. But prior to yesterday, USF hadn't shown any ability to stop high-caliber running attacks (as in, we'll stop the average to pretty good running teams, but watch out for the elite, powerful ones), the stats show USF as being about .500 when Grothe gets picked, and team just laid an egg against Rutgers. So I think my predictions were well-founded.

It seems that when I have any level of hope, something screws it up. But if I'm a pessimist coming into the game, they come through. So I'm saying I don't think we have a chance at WVU. Hopefully I'll be wrong again.

Pessimism has a benefit, too. If you're right, you get to brag. If you're wrong, you get to feel happy about a win. Really can't miss. Maybe college football has a place in philosophy classes. Move over Nietzsche- Dr. Lou Holtz will be required reading! Actually, the ESPN college football encyclopedia should be for any college football fan.

This was an anomalous win for USF, for sure. Grothe struggled (9-18 with a pick in the red zone), the running backs, outside of Jamar Taylor's big run, were bottled up (about 3 yards a carry), and we racked up an amazing number of offsides penalties (I can't think of a worse penalty. No positive can come of it). Normally when two of those three happen, we lose. See the three previous games. In the fourth quarter, I thought the team did a good job maintaining composure. That's something that doesn't always happen.

I have to give Tyrone McKenzie a shout out. He's one of my favorite all-time Bulls, and he showed up big time. He should have been the Big East defensive player of the week. And Dontavia Bogan showed great speed on those kick returns. Can he return punts?

So the focus is now on WVU. Wally has plenty of time to prepare for Pat White's final home game (that means he's likely to explode). Grothe's ankle looked tender, so he's got some time to heal. Getting to 8-4 would be a huge boost, although I don't think anything stops us from going to the St. Pete Bowl. I just don't see the offense having enough to get past WVU (which actually has decent defensive stats in Big East play), especially if Grothe has the same struggles.

On the Big East picture, I hope that Rutgers knocks Louisville out. Why? To screw Notre Dame over, thats why. Any time that happens, I'm happy. And hopefully Cincy takes care of Syracuse. I think Cincy has the best chance to win a BCS bowl game, and for purposes of showing why we're better than the ACC, that's an important thing. Especially because it means Brian Kelly probably will be gone (to Notre Dame maybe?), and that guy is a USF killer.

I might talk about basketball at some point in the next two weeks. But I probably won't.

And let's go Bulls soccer! I'm not a big soccer fan in general, but anytime USF is winning, I'll support them. A Big East championship is an awesome accomplishment, and the bracket in the NCAAs is such that we might get in a nice little run. 

Comments

[Cuba]

It's hard to believe that the Bulls still have a chance to equal last year's record. I hope that motivates them to play their [butts] off in WV, so they can get set up for a proper finish in a bowl game. Steady improvement is no longer an option this season, but as long as we don't slip backwards, I can take this season for what it is.

Come on 9-4.

[Blake]

It may be considered to be in bad taste, but I continued to my booing of Marcus Edwards on Senior Night. Although, the last few games I have become nicer and I started saying he was a waste of a scholarship rather than saying he was a waste of oxygen (credit goes to the mrs. on that one).

[Rob]

Blake, Marcus Edwards is still a much better player than you! You write about sports when he actually plays!

[Dave W]

Well, Blake doesn't have a football scholarship...

Edwards is a decent enough receiver, but I can't stand him on punt returns. Everyone talks about his hands, but he literally drops the ball every other game. And he doesn't offer the breakaway speed Bogan does (or even Theo Wilson). It seems like the job is already Theo Wilson's to lose for next season, but I expect George Baker will take over sooner rather than later. He seems like an electric athlete.

[Blake]

Rob, you are right I do not play for the USF team, but I do live up to my end of the bargain on the scholarship I am getting to go to the school. My grades more than meet their half of the bargain. Consider me the Selvie of the classroom.

[Dave W]

I saw the stats- TAs run away from Blake over 80% of the time, and he would have better grades this semester, but he's been bothered by pain in note-taking hand. Nevertheless, he's still projected to go in the first two rounds of the med school draft...

I took that too far. Sorry.

[David B.]

I think Jim leavitt has an ego way to big for his results. like Charley weis, leavitt has an undisciplined team, rebukes criticism, thinks he only answers to himself, and is not responsible for his inability to show progress each year in the football program. He needs to humble himself.

[Rob]

Well then Blake go to a blog about academics! The man plays big time football, while you watch it. There is a big differnce there. If you can't back up your smack talking, then you shouldn't be talking (or writing). Funny thing is that if M. Edwards was standing next to you, you wouldn't say anything like you posted above now would you!

[Blake]

Rob, Edwards career Punt Return Average is 7.6 yards. That is pedestrian. I will admit that his receiving yards are decent for a number four receiver on the depth chart, but his YAC is pretty low. I try to base my arguments on fact, rather than simply trying to attack people without foundation...try it sometime, you may find you enjoy it.

[Bullshark]

Its time for a new coach. The Uconn win was great, but there were 5 other games where that intensity lacked, way to many mistakes, no adjustments, blah, blah blah (only 4 of them luckily were losses). I'm not okay with always losing at UL & at Cincy and maybe winning at home, playing in the Pizza Bowl.

Well, we shouldn't be hearing from anymore learned 'canes fans at least this week. After losing to GT and this week NC State (What????),it doesn't matter what they think, they are really not part of any Big 3.

[Rob]

Blake I never said M.Edwards was an awesome punt returner. I just stated you wouldn't say the things you posted if he was in the same room. To say someone is a waste of oxygen is an attack, to call someone out for making stupid comments is not an attack. Now I thought you would know that being so smart and everything!

[Rob]

Blake, M.Edwards wanted to know if you watched the game saturday, and if so he is still waiting for his apology!

[Rob]

Blake?

[Blake]

Yes, Marcus finally had a decent game at WR, but he still did nothing at Punt Returner. It would make much more sense to use someone like Dontavia Bogan at PR.

Also, the comment about him not being worth his oxygen-uptake was sarcastic hyperbole...that apparently everyone, but you, understood.

[Rob]

Sarcastic hyperbole? Man you really are a dork!