ESPN's Herbstreit on No. 2 USF

Lots of reaction to USF debuting at No. 2 in the official BCS standings. Here's a transcript of a minute from Sunday night's SportsCenter on ESPN, between anchor Scott Van Pelt and analyst Kirk Herbstreit:

VAN PELT: Let's go with South Florida. You could argue that their resume is perhaps the best, given a win at Auburn and a win over West Virginia. If they were to win out, can we assume that little South Florida would be in the national championship game?

HERBSTREIT: You know, when we first started to look at the BCS standings last week, I looked at South Florida as a team that a one-loss team might be able to go by. It just goes to show you the importance of non-conference games. Everybody says the answer is to schedule easy teams to remain undefeated, because it doesn't matter, you want to get into a bowl game, get to the BCS. South Florida is an example of why to schedule a tough nonconference opponent. North Carolina, who's not have a great year, they took care of, and going to Auburn and winning that game, then they get back to conference play. Unanimous No. 1 in the computers -- the computers don't care that it's the South Florida Bulls. They look at the resume, and right now, you can make that argument that if they win out, they could be in that championship game.

Comments

[JL]

I never thought I would say this...

Herbie...I am starting to like you! You were #1 on my s**t list, I think I can take you to number 3!!

Can the real J. Johnson, Lee Corso please stand up, please stand up.

[Ari]

Herbie had us #5 in his AP ballot.

I don't know if he is a Harris voter, but I am sure he is not rah rah USF.

[Amanda]

It probably took everything that Herbie had to say that on tv given his previous opinion on us. I can tell he still isn't impressed even though we've had the best schedule thus far but longevity on the polls ought to change that.

[Julian]

I was watching College Game Day on Saturday and Herbie made the comment that if you just looked at their wins and not who the team was you would think they are a legit team. The human voters will be harder to convince but they just need to worry about winning week to week first. I can't wait till thursday night when they get the chance to have some revenge for last year and show everyone on the national stage what they are made of.

GO BULLS!

anybody else find it a tad ironic that herbstreit votes no less than 3 one loss teams ahead of USF in his AP ballot?

[Jerome]

Herbie's actions speak louder than words. I have lost some respect for him here. Not because he is a big-name homer, but because he is talking out of both sides of his mouth. He says USF has a solid resume but then ranks us 5th in his own poll. The one thing he said that does make sense is that the computers don't care our name is South Florida. They look at what we've done on the field and rank us #1. RESPECT THE GAME, IF NOT THE NAME!

[jay]

Haters can just wait and watch the next 6 games. Once its all over come back and post your comments then!

USF fans can already reserve our tickets at a BCS game or (yes I will say it) the National Championship game. (www.ticketreserve.com ) I reserved four , rest of USF nation jump onboard!!

[Jim in Williamsburg, VA (Class of '68)]

If and when Herbie ever gets his head out of his Ohio State backside, he just may see the light. Perhaps he fears his beloved Buckeyes may have to play the Bulls for a national crown, and the thought of an OSU loss terrifies him. Hence his votes for one-loss, good-ol-boy teams. At least he wouldn't have to eat a ton of crow should OSU lose the big one to a "respectable" team. In the meantime, I'll put my faith in the unbiased computer rankings. You bet I'm a Bull-iever. Go Bulls!!!!

[Who care]

Who cares what Herbie says! I never played football but I watch it and I can pick the games better than him and certainly better the so-called Lee Corso. ESPN needs to fire them! Herbie just likes his Ohio State and Corso is jealous of USF because his Florida State Seminoles is looking bad. I won't even start talking about Chris Fowler. As long as ESPN continues to broadcase our games that is all that matters.

[Dave W]

I've never liked Herbstreit- it's a Pennsylvania thing. Anyways, Jerome is right. Actions are a million times more valuable than words. He really doesn't like us and fears our emergence. It would be really nice is ESPN would hire some guys who never played D-1 college football- each one of those guys is terribly biased (Mark May is from Pitt- that's why he supports the BEAST). Maybe the 59 year old LB in Texas would be a good choice- he won't have a loyalty to anyone else.

[Jeff]

If USF goes undefeated they should be in the Title game. One loss and they drop hard.

[Dan]

USF is just last year's Boise St. They don't play a phenomenal schedule...they win out because of it...then they're going to get walloped by someone in the second half of the season and get put back in their place. They just need to not become hot-heads and maybe they'll be ok. Their D is what keeps them in it. They're the opposite of L'Ville.

[Dave W]

Dan, we went to Auburn. Who else does something like that in out-of-conference scheduling? I rest my case.

[Dan]

Clarify...that statement has no substance.

Calling USF's schedule "not phenomenal" makes me wonder what you'd say about the schedule played so far by Ohio State, or Boston College, for that matter. USF's schedule so far is as tough as anyone's at the top of the BCS.

That being said, folks who call Kirk Herbstreit a "homer" haven't been paying attention to him much before this year. He calls them like he sees them, and if anything he tends been harder on Ohio State and the Big Ten than most, year in and year out. Herbstreit knows what he's talking about.

[Terry]

I'm all for USF going undefeated - just more ammo for a playoff system. USF fans should keep their mouth shut until that time though - this happens EVERY year and the team in question usually loses a game near the end of the year and then drops down in the polls.. USF fans - don't get cocky (yet)!!!

Good luck Bulls!!

dan, i hate to burst your bubble, but the reason that FIVE of the SIX BCS computers pick USF #1 is because of that very schedule you cite as 'not phenomenal'.

no dan, son, the schedule needn't be 'phenomenal'.

it need only be as difficult or more so than their peers.

and guess what champ? IT IS!

now THAT is your post of substance.

tail, between legs, slink to the floor and maybe you'll get a biscuit.

[joe]

I am totally amazed at the comment by Jimmie Johnson. I considered him a great coach, but to say that oregon should go to the NCG is ediculous based on who they played. We are the new game on the block and i guess it will take time to get accepted. Thank goodness for computers. If you want to hear positive feedback about USF watch ESPNU inside the polls. They just predicted USF to win against Rutgers.

[Chris]

Dan, how can you say USF's schedule isn't phenominol...it is. If you take time to do your homework you will see that USF has the 7th most difficult schedule in NCAA football. Ohio state is in the high 50s and BC is in the 60s. Shut up and give the 11 year old team time to make history.