I'm at that point where I can put up about three different link posts today and still not get to everything. So I'll start with the incendiary stuff -- there's a ton of national disbelief at USF being ranked No. 5, which manifests itself in two ways: (1) random shots at the Bulls and (2) picking against them in Saturday's game against Central Florida. So I commence with the linkage ...
-- College football writers in Nevada are pretty much in glass houses, so it's fun to see one cracking on USF, since Nevada as a state has a college football relevance that rivals that of Paraguay. (Apologies to my readers in Paraguay). "South Florida is fifth," writes the Nevada Appeal. "People in Florida couldn't even tell you how to find South Florida."
-- The Denver Post names USF as its most surprising team. "Fifth-ranked South Florida," they write. "How odd does that sound."
-- Tony Barnhart of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- I really should just write AJC -- calls for a 24-23 UCF upset on Saturday, calling the game "this week's shocker." More troubling for Bulls fans, perhaps, is the Gainesville Sun's Pat Dooley calling for a 16-point USF win. "The Bulls are not going undefeated," Dooley writes, "but I don't think the derailment comes during the Bore on I-4." The Associated Press' weekly preview also likes the Bulls, 28-14.
-- Defensive tackle Richard Clebert might be my favorite quote on the team. Just says smart things that are insightful and pointed, nearly the opposite of so many quotes I wind up printing. "I don't think of it as the challenge of facing Kevin Smith," Clebert told the AP on Tuesday. "I think of it as the challenge of Kevin Smith having to face our defense." He's talking about the nation's leading rusher, so that's a very confident quote, but not so much so that it offends the other party that much.
-- I've gotten two e-mails wondering if I think the logo for Jack Link's beef jerky (of the random but funny "Messin' with Sasquatch" commercials) bears too much resemblance to USF's iconic "U" logo. I don't know that I have an opinion, but I welcome lighthearted discourse on the topic. I will admit this is the first time I've linked to a beef jerky site. Proud moment.
-- The Orlando Sentinel's Tania Ganguli takes on the always-fun task of writing a Jim Leavitt profile, doing a solid job from the comfortable approach of "That guy is quirky!" The opening Mike Jenkins anecdote is one I hadn't heard before. Fun stuff, down to psychologist Leavitt referencing "accidental theory."
Times sportswriter Greg Auman, who covers USF, will post news and thoughts on the Bulletin and we invite your participation in the comments area.
I like Clebert, too. He's honest and funny. And how exactly is someone going to stop him from talking?
Posted by: Dave | October 12, 2007 at 03:29 PM
I don't mind Clebert's smack talk because he is over 300 pounds and has yet to play his best game. If a team tries to double team Selvie then Clebert will have a sack fest. I think the D-line will come out hungry because they feel challenged again. This will be WVU part 2. UCF will have trouble running the football.
Posted by: Tom | October 12, 2007 at 03:15 PM
We might score 30--I sure hope so--I'd love to see the offense really move the ball. UCF won't. Period.
Posted by: Ken | October 12, 2007 at 02:07 PM
I did check. It was Louisville last year (31). You right, our best bet is to keep you from scoring - combined with us scoring.
Woot is now leaving for Tampa. Woot will see you folks at the game. Good Luck! I hope the jerk fans from both sides are absent tomorrow.
Posted by: Woot | October 12, 2007 at 02:06 PM
I like UCF fans' enthusiasm and confidence...but to say they will score 30 something points and blowing us out is becoming comical. What is the purpose in that? Do they truly believe that? Or they just trying to rile people up? It's making them look really stupid.
Posted by: Supersurch | October 12, 2007 at 02:02 PM
Woot-
Have you checked to see when the last time someone scored 30 on us was? I am thinking some time in 2005. UCF will not score 30. Your best best will be to keep us from scoring.
Posted by: Adam | October 12, 2007 at 01:43 PM
If UCF plays like thy did against Texas it will be UCF 33 USF 14. Texas still has a better offense!
If UCF plays like they did against ECU, it will be UCF 38 USF (I don't know), USF has yet to prove they can move the ball effectively. USF's strength is obviously its defense, if that doesn't click...er...close game?
Posted by: Woot | October 12, 2007 at 01:03 PM
UCF needs USF to be good, because if both teams suck, then thats not much of a rivalry then is it? We don't need a rivalry with UCF because we have rivals in West Virgina and Louisville!
Go Bulls!
Posted by: Rob | October 12, 2007 at 12:11 PM
Bulls will take the game, but I think it is closer than many think it will be. If UCF plays like they did against Texas it could get real close. If they play like last week, the Bulls blow them out.
Posted by: Tampabaysportsfanatic | October 12, 2007 at 10:38 AM
*flash forward to 2018*
... And coming to you live from Jack Link Stadium here on the USF Campus...
Posted by: Dav | October 12, 2007 at 10:38 AM
Time to stop the smack for a day. A Gator football player has died in a wreck. .... http://209.200.252.69/~gnnsite2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1888&Itemid=47
Posted by: Just A. Name | October 12, 2007 at 10:16 AM