I think the BCS computers have Rocky No. 3 ...

The Times' free daily, tbt*, is great for blog fodder. Today, they remind me that USF is still showing up in some national top 10 rankings, if only SI.com's latest Mascot Power Rankings, where USF's ever-photogenic Rocky is No. 9 -- that was before the UConn loss. I'll admit I'm only doing this so I can link to Youtube.com highlights of Donald the Duck beating up "Shasta" Houston's cougar mascot. More linkage ...

-- I want to link to a story in our news section about Lee Roy Selmon acquiring a larger financial stake in the chain of restaurants that bear his name. There are plans to add two Selmon's restaurants next year and six in 2009, with as many as 30 in place by 2012, including the first outside Florida, likely in Dallas or Atlanta. Selmon, who is president of the USF Foundation Partnership for Athletics, a key fundraising position for the Bulls, said he'll be spending more time in his restaurants as a result of his acquisition.

-- We'd mentioned last week how the newspaper in Terre Haute, Ind., had dropped USF offensive line Mike Simmonds' name as an option for the head coaching job at his alma mater, Indiana State. I'd asked Simmonds about that last week and forgot to get it up on the blog; he said he's focused on getting the offensive line ready for its next game and nothing else.

"That takes a lot of experience," he said of the Indiana State job. "That's a whole different spectrum, and I'm very happy where I'm at."

-- So many good stories out there about USF defensive coordinator Wally Burnham, and there's another one from his hometown paper, the Decatur Daily in Alabama, which reminisces about his days at Decatur High School from 1968-71.

-- I've mentioned it here on the blog, but you haven't seen much elsewhere about USF assistant coaches and players telling reporters after Saturday's loss that they were "not allowed" to speak to the media. Word of that got to the Orlando Sentinel's Mike Bianchi, who wrote this about it on his blog:

Can you say "poor loser." Leavitt finally agreed to let some players speak, but only after media members vociferously complained. Leavitt has big-time aspirations with a small-time mentality. What a pathetic move.

Comments

[Dave W]

I wonder if a Selmon's on campus restaurant would satisfy Leavitt's desire for an athletics dining hall. It would satisfy my desire for good food, for sure. Actually, we're getting a Chili's with the new Marshall Center.

Simmonds probably could make a decent head coach, but I think he needs some coordinating experience first.

[g-man]

I hope that the increased involvement by Lee Roy will mean that the quality of food in the franchises will improve.

The original in Tampa serves awesome food. The ones I've been to in Bradenton and Sarasota ... eh, not so much.

[Reality]

Greg, we are dying for the basketball update. Only one more day until Saint Leo, a bottom of the barrel Div II team beats USF.

Lee Roy is too late they already closed the selmons by me. Let it sink Lee Roy it would be a shame to lose all your money trying to save a sinking ship/

[nybullsfan]

Is it just me or does this tone of voice sound familiar???

"Leavitt has big-time aspirations with a small-time mentality. What a pathetic move."

I think we can finally say without a shadow of a doubt that Cee is actually Mike Bianchi in real life.

[Tony Grier]

Greg, Thanks for the Lee Roy link. The beginning was perfect in that Outback led the way, investing in a sure winning combination of good food and a great ambassador's reputation in Lee Roy...

Now is the perfect time to make this move. I hope we all continue to support this effort. And for Chris & Bob from Outback, keep their restaurants on the dine list as well, they deserve our continued support...

that youtube video is hilarious