Aftermath: What went wrong, Part III

Where do you start? I'll start with links, to our game story, to a column from John Romano, our notebook -- including George Selvie setting the Big East tackle-for-loss record and the actual attendance of 45,172, and a sidebar from correspondent Mike Camunas on that last-minute drive. There's a great photo gallery by photogs Ted McLaren and Daniel Wallace, running the full spectrum from Mike Jenkins' helmet-launching hit to scenes of dejection after the final play.

Now, some quick observations. Haven't watched the game on TiVo yet and was up late writing our national women's basketball preview, but here's some leftover thoughts from last night ...

-- I can hear Bulls fans saying, at least there's Miami. USF no longer has the best record in the state, no longer has the biggest upset by a state team. And in national terms, the Bulls are less relevant than any of the Big Three except Miami. Florida and Florida State are still in competition for trips to their league championship game; Central Florida has that going for it as well. Hard to believe this team is only three weeks removed from BCS talk and national first-place votes.

-- There's no need for excuses when a team has eight turnovers in a game, but you probably could start with the injuries at receiver. With Amarri Jackson still on a crutch and Taurus Johnson watching, the Bulls lost freshman Dontavia Bogan for much of the game with a hip pointer. Another freshman, A.J. Love, lost a fumble on his first career catch, and the Bulls had a possession late in the first half that saw four plays and three of them were passed directed at Courtney Denson, who had five catches entering the game. Carlton Mitchell is emerging as a star, with another 100-yard game; I was surprised how little I heard Jessie Hester's name called until the final two drives.

-- Time to beat dead horses. USF's first five drives to the Cincy 25 and deeper resulted in three turnovers and two field goals. This is a team that does not finish drives with any punctuation, and that goes back to not having a conventional running game. The defense was huge in the second half, pitching a shutout and holding Cincy to 106 yards, but they gave up too many big plays in the first half Matt Grothe accounted for 95 percent -- all but 24 yards -- of USF's 481 yards of total offense. You add that burden to the frustration of having five turnovers and it's astounding Grothe can execute a last-minute drive that well. Again, that last drive is like a centerfielder who makes an amazing, diving catch, but only because he made a bad jump when he first read the ball and had to make up for it.

-- As thrilling as the final drive was, it was a hurry because of a lack of urgency on the previous touchdown drive. I understand Cincy was giving USF the middle of the field, but it just took the Bulls too long. Grothe hit Carlton Mitchell for a huge fourth-and-11 conversion -- that play didn't even make my game story -- to put USF on the 35-yard line with four minutes to play. I don't think USF stopped the clock by going out of bounds on the next five plays -- Ben Williams needs to understand finding the sideline is more important than finding two extra yards on a drive like that. Short gains of 8, 5, 5 and 5 7 yards, then Grothe taking a 2-yard loss, put the clock at 2:04 left before the touchdown throw. If the Bulls can cut 30 seconds off that 2-minute span, they have twice as much for that last drive. Again, great play just to make it as close as it was, but I didn't see the urgency of a team down 11 with four minutes to play.

-- Regular e-mailer Jim in St. Pete Beach was watching the FSU game late last night when ABC's Brent Musberger, rattling off all the No. 2-ranked teams to fall to upsets, needed an extra second to remember "Florida Southern." I heard it too, and I'm sure that's salt in the wound for Bulls fans, who still face frustrating name-recognition issues from people who should know USF by now ...

-- Where do the Bulls go from here? Their season will be somewhere between 9-3 and 6-6, and if USF loses two of its last three, the Bulls might not match up with a Big East bowl. Consider this: if the league doesn't get an at-large BCS berth, you have West Virginia or Connecticut in El Paso; Cincinnati will be ahead of the Bulls, as will Rutgers if they can win two of their last three. If Louisville can beat USF and then knock off West Virginia or Rutgers, they'd be 7-5 or better. Just like we talked about improbably good scenarios three weeks ago, I want to address the possibility that USF is 7-5 and taking an at-large berth somewhere else. I had to look up the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl to find out it's in Fort Worth. Not saying it's likely, just saying it's a possibility.

-- Thoughts? Comments? I'll wait until I see a replay to address the Cincinnati player who kicked the flag upfield a few yards after a holding penalty. ...

Comments

[Kyle]

After that game, we don't deserve to go to a bowl game, we completely blew what could have been an amazing season!

[reality]

reading some of the comments, i finally figured it out. Gregory is setting Grothe up to fail, so that his son can play........all makes sense when you step back.....

[Tad]

Greg,

Even with all USF's problems during the past three games, they still had chances to win. Do you attribute the ineptness of the offense to finish close games more on the youth or play calling?

[Tim]

The more this season goes on, it seems that the offense is on the back of Growthe. He accounted for 95% of the total offense?! What's next, Growthe throwing passes to himself? The offensive play calling is just as bad as the special teams.

[Ken]

The dead horses are all right on. What about the injuries though? If our play has fallen off recently because of injuries, especially on offense (OL, WR), what's that due to? Injuries happen; do we not have the depth to maintain the quality of play, or are we getting more than our share, and is that due to training/conditioning or just bad luck?

Finally, Greg, would you look closely at that lateral-pass combo for a touchdown and let us know--it sure looked iffy at the game, but they didn't even stop to look at it.

[nybullsfan]

The only way we can make it to the AF Bowl is if the PAC10 only has 5 eligible teams.

UCLA and Oregon State are both 5-4 and both teams have to lose all 3 of their remaining games for us to even be considered. Unlikely, IMO

If we win out, we might get to Charlotte, but more likely to Birmingham.

If we lose once, we still might get to Birmingham, unless the loss is to Louisville, and then we're home for the holidays.

There's no way Toronto will take us - we're too far away and don't travel well enough yet, so if we lose twice, we're out of the bowl picture completely.

[nybullsfan]

hey reality,

That's just plausible enough to be scary. The NCAA should have a rule forbidding children to play for the same team their parent coaches.

It seems like the responsibility for the losses comes from poor play calling and the injuries from a lack of conditioning.

Fire Gregory Now! Get a real Offensive Coordinator!

[Luis]

How's Leavitt like that humble pie? Good to see him finally sit down to a taste of it after the game.

Folks, USF is simply not an elite program, not yet, at least. As John Romano's column so wisely points out, the Bulls could very easily be 4-5 right now (with the Auburn and the WVU games going the other way). Even that FAU game was no sure thing. But those UNC and Elon - Elon! - wins sure were nice, huh?

So hopefully Leavitt will tone it down some now. There's no denying he's built USF a nice program in 11 years.

Remember how Leavitt pointed out that "Nobody else is in that room" when he was discussing USF's place among UF, FSU and UM, while belittling the state's other budding programs?

Sadly, it's now clear that USF isn't "in that room" at all when it comes to ranking the nation's truly elite programs.

[Gerald]

Luis, I don't think CJL has ever belittled any of the top 3 Florida programs. He's consistantly stated that USF is not on the level until USF wins games against those programs. And to say USF is an "elite program" compared to a "program on the rise", has two different meanings. Hopefully USF is the latter.

[nybullsfan]

If USF isn't "in that room" then it's an awfully small room. According to Sagarin:

9 Florida
17 South Florida
21 Florida State
51 Central Florida
59 Miami
112 Florida Atlantic
178 Fla. International
213 Florida A&M
219 Bethune-Cookman
231 Jacksonville

242 Div 1 teams total (119 in Div 1A)

[Luis]

Gerald,

Please read my previous post again. In no way did I write that Leavitt belittled FSU, UM or UF. No, he quite clearly puts USF on the same level with those programs that have produced decades' worth of excellence.

At the same time, he did belittle the state's other budding programs - UCF, FAU and FIU - while patting himself on the back a tad too fiercely.

Like you said, it's clear USF is a program on the rise. Nothing wrong with that - I'm sure USF will prodice quality teams down the road. They will be fun to watch.

But the whole point here is that everyone - and especially Leavitt - needs to temper their expectations and turn down the volume on the hype just a bit.

And while USF may be lucky enough to be "in that room" when it comes to the BCS, at this point, it's simply a new program. Everybody needs to remember that.

[92Bull]

Lack of urgency on offense. Been saying it the last three games, if not all season.

Put it on the offensive coordinator and coaching. The teams we've lost to have had urgency- fake field goal attempts, fake punts, etc. How many have we attempted? Fourth and one last night with 3 minutes remaining an we're punting? What about the use of our second time-out in the second half? Anyone else question the clock management?

I love the Bulls and Leavitt, but fear our coaching has been exposed a bit. Peter principal? The teams that have beaten us have exhibited the guts in the play calling that we use to exhibit in years past. Not all of this is on the players. The lion's share is on coaching. No tempo. No creativity. No guts. No urgency.

Hopefully we'll learn and adjust. It just hasn't happened yet.

[Amanda]

That hit from Mike Jenkins was easily one of the best hits I have ever seen. The entire stadium felt that pain I'm sure that guy felt and it did help jump start the defense.

[92Bull]

Lack of urgency on offense. Been saying it the last three games, if not all season.

Put it on the offensive coordinator and coaching. The teams we've lost to have had urgency- fake field goal attempts, fake punts, etc. How many have we attempted? Fourth and one last night with 3 minutes remaining an we're punting? What about the use of our second time-out in the second half? Anyone else question the clock management?

I love the Bulls and Leavitt, but fear our coaching has been exposed a bit. Peter principle? The teams that have beaten us have exhibited the guts in the play calling that we use to exhibit in years past. Not all of this is on the players. The lion's share is on coaching. No tempo. No creativity. No guts. No urgency.

Hopefully we'll learn and adjust. It just hasn't happened yet.

[Ari]

First 7 possesions we had 2 fumbles, 3 ints, a blocked punt and a field goal.

That is laughable.

[Ari]

I got some game breakdown for you.

We stink. We got punts being blocked, half-back passes for 80 yardsd run against us, we had ANOTHER fake field goal run against us, we got a QB who has throwd multiple int's inside the redzone in the last two games, we have pick sixes showing up on the board, we gave up an 80 yard + td pass.

No wonder they sold those mini-packs -- becuase nobody would be going to these games.

What a pathetic effort.

[nybullsfan]

We also had 14 points on the board before the offense ever touched the ball!

[Ari]

Grothe needs to cut the stupid hair -- he looks like an idiot.

[Chris]

That flag kick was right in front of me and it was Mauk there quarterback and team leader. That set me off in my eyes after that Cinci deserves to be branded as cheaters. And yes, I am frustrated with the Bulls, beause I wanted them to seize theor opportunities this season, but there is no excuse for obvious cheating. I think if the Cinci coach has any sportsmanship he would suspend the player. What kind of a leader does that???

[Ari]

Chris,

Yeah i saw that and that was really pathetic. Mark Robinson on the radio was blowing his top over that. Refs wouldn't have even picked up on that if Leavitt wouldn't have raised hell.

That was really poor.

Firing Gregory is not the solution. It wouldn’t matter if we had someone like Norm Chow or David Cutcliffe calling plays, as long as Grothe continues to make boneheaded decisions and, we are doomed.

[Accountability]

Bad Game, yes.

However, so far this season we have lost 3 starting offensive linemen and 2 starting receivers. We simply don't have the depth we need (that will come with time). We have replaced those positions with young players who may or may not know the routes well enough. Grothe can't do it all. He needs better blocking, accurate route execution and people holding onto the ball.

We see spots of perfection followed by chaos. We are a young team and with time will improve.

Sure it was a bad game, we looked terrible. The blocked punt for a touchdown should cost a job (coach or blocker)

Keep in mind that with all of our mistakes, the game still came down to the last play.

Any other time, we would be pleased with a 6-3 season with three games remaining. I agree we want to be the best and am as disappointed as everyone.

Remember, we are ONLY 11 Years Old and have to compete with the reputations of Florida, FSU and Miami for the best players in the state. CJL has done a great job (he does need to be more press friendly)

Three games to go. hopefully we can get it together.

GO BULLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dave W]

If we win out, we can still get 10 wins. This has suddenly become a very bitter season, but like last night, I'm still not ready to give up. My thoughts from last night still stand- change some things up (OC and PR come to mind), and we would be undefeated still.

Focusing on the positive, Carlton Mitchell is going to be a great one, Selvie is beastly, the LBs are all great warriors but undersized, and Mike Jenkins is easily the best CB in the nation. KR only adds to his value. How often does a guy break a 100 yd TD return and then knock a guy out cold in the same game? If had an interception, he would've had the CB hat-trick. He and Trae certainly showed up to play.

[Al]

"ABC's Brent Musberger, rattling off all the No. 2-ranked teams to fall to upsets, needed an extra second to remember "Florida Southern." I heard it too, and I'm sure that's salt in the wound for Bulls fans, who still face frustrating name-recognition issues from people who should know USF by now ..." GA

Salt...Hell no! It's just points out what a buffoon Burnt Mustyburger is.

[Adam]

Luis-

That "room" that CJL was talking about was the BCS. It's no belittling to UCF, FAU, FIU, etc. It's the truth. None of those teams are in the BCS.

Reality, I have wondered. Not so much that he is trying to get Grant in the game, but naturally, you want your kid to look good, so, you need the other guy to not look so good. Don't have a problem with him coaching the tight ends, that has no bearing on his son.

Double pass was legit as I hear it from people watching on TV. Close, but first pass was backwards, would have liked to seen it reviewed. Also heard that Matt may have been down on his fumble, also not reviewed.

Offense is very young, and very banged up right now. Too bad about Bogan, he is going to be outstanding over the next 2-3 years (I seriously think he has NFL talent, and possibly "leave early" type talent).

Playcalling is bad.

Tough loss, tough 3 weeks, but I left the stadium proud. This program is emerging as a national power. I almost don't care that ABC calls us the wrong name, over the next 5 years, everyone will know USF, there is no doubt about that now.

[Things we need to correct]

Things that have gone wrong!

1. Naming Gregory offensive coordinator - makes bad calls, made Grothe worse, highlighted his son well though in running up score at UCF
2. Grothe does not know meaning of getting out of tackle box and grounding the ball to avoid sack
3. Marcus Edwards fumbles about half of his punt returns
4. Ford does not get any carries -- remember the 1st two games when he carried us when he did get the ball
5. Why does Mitchell not start in front of Edwards?
6. Special teams believes that fake punts and field goals never happen
7. Alvarado is a punter, never a kicker
8. Coaches let the same thing happen over and over again -- remember Rutgers blitzing in the second half last year, they did the same thing this year
9. Why do we go from the shotgun and use the spread formation when we are not a passing team?
10. Offense is too predictable -- shotgun and throw every play against Cincinnati
11. Why are we not using trick reverses like we did last year with Ean Randolph -- Gregory is not offensive coordinator material
12. Leavitt has gone from Coach of the Year to Big East Cellar
Leavitt, try this revelation, run Mike Ford 30 times a game and take pressure off Grothe (he can't handle it) and see what happens. We might just win a game.

[SRQ Steve]

I couldn't agree more with the previous post. Was it the beginning of the fourth quarter when Ford helped us go all the way down the field and score. The very next drive we went 3 and out from passing. Ford is good for about 5 yards a carry. He needs to be our Rice, Kevin Smith, or Dixon. Keep blasting it up the middle. We would have eliminated the turnovers.

[Sal]

It was embarrassing the way the fans left the game early. It was an embarrassment to the area in the national spotlight.

[jack johnson]

I think it's sad that the actual attendance for the game (45,172) was lower than UCFs (46,358). That means the bulls had over 12,000 no shows on a beautiful day. Tampa fans stink.

[Dan]

Tampa fans are horrible unless their team is winning. What is the deal with Ford anyway, does CJL not like this guy? He's going to be a great back if he gets some touches. Give him the damn ball!!

[Tad]

I think Ford was still injured from last game from bruised ribs.

[nybullsfan]

#32 in AP
#37 in USA Today

Right back to where we were in the preseason polls

[Ari]

It's just depressing.

[Reality]

Don't worry Bulls fans. We may suck right now, but we don't suck as much as UCF.

[nybullsfan]

Reality, you've really cheered me up. NOT!

[nybullsfan]

What's up with Matt Bryant? He taking lessons from Alverado?

[nybullsfan]

#33 in the Harris.

Don't think we're going to get enough love from the computers to stay in the BCS top 25.

[Ari]

I really don't want us to be ranked in the BCS... That way nobody pays attention to us. Keep the death sprial on the down low.

[nybullsfan]

I never want us to leave the BCS Top 25. Ever.

[nybullsfan]

Why did the Bucs still win after missing 2 field goals? Maybe because they can RUN the ball? Graham went 34 for 124 yards.

Gregory - give the ball to one runner 30 times next week in Syracuse!!! Let's pick a running back and let him carry the ball - it ain't heavy!

[Mike Lakeland]

We don't deserve anything we have. Period.

Our offense plays like it has 10 minutes and 3 timeouts every possession.

How about before halftime? Yeah, let's waste 15 seconds to get one pass off and settle for a field goal. Why didn't we call that last Timeout, settle our guys down, and have at least 2 shots at the end zone?

I am a Bulls fan true and true, but I am sick of seeing our Defense play their hearts out, only to watch our Offense and Special Teams flush it all down the toilet.

[steve oneal]

I just hope they can win out and at least go to meinekie bowl and play acc team, maybe finish in the top 25. That would still be a great season and a big improvement over last season. Just have to wait and see! GO BULLS!!

[Ari]

South Carolina and the ole ball coach are falling apart just like us. Got to #7 in the rankings and then proceeded to lose to Vandy, Tennessee and Arkansas.

We aren't the only ones to fall apart.

[cee]

Leavitt shuts out the media after losses like a sore loser that cant face the heat-- we lose 3 straight conference games in a row and go from #2 to nothing.. that's karma, jim.. sorry, but you're just a horrible coach and we're beginning to question your character as a person. you can win without being a 1st class jerk, ya know. then again, when you run a renegade program like he does, it comes as no surprise..

and talk about horrible gameplans.. rutgers blitzes all night, we dont make halftime adjustments. at UConn, we look pathetic all 1st half and grothe throws a pick 6.. oh, and leavitt allows a bootleg (yes, i said leavitt ALLOWS it.. he is the HEAD COACH who gets all the executive decisions-- stop blaming coordinators). and finally, against UC-- jimbo touts these new RB's that we finally get, yet still shoves his WALKON RB in our faces until it is 31-14.

jim, i hope you wake up to a pink slip in your mailbox. you are underqualified for this position.

[Dave W]

Ford has a tendency to put the ball on the ground. And where is this 5 yards a carry coming from? Look at the limited carries he's had- nowhere near 5 YPC. But it isn't his fault the O-line is struggling to block and Gregory couldn't design a play to gain 5 yards to save his life. The biggest problem is Gregory's inexplicable play-calling and our inconsistent special teams play.

[Ocalabullsfan]

I've been a fan of USF since their inception and a big fan of Grothe. But everyone should be held accountable. When a running back fumbles the ball, they sit out. The same standard should apply to the quarterback. Grothe has thrown several bad interceptions over the team's last three losses, throwing into triple/double coverage and simply some real bad throws. The offensive coordinator is not the one throwing the ball to the opposing team. When was the last time you saw Grothe simply throw the ball away when there was nothing there, as opposed to forcing the ball or taking a sack for a 10-yard loss and passing the momentum to the opposing team?

[Ceeyore]

After all, what are poll rankings? Here today and gone tomorrow.

[Ceeyore]

You don't always want to be miserable on gameday, do you?

[Adam]

Dave W - Ford has 64 carries for 300 yards (4.7 YPC), I wouldn't say that he's "nowhere near 5 YPC".

cee, you are so right about CJL, I have seen the light. He was soooooooo media friendly when we were winning, and now he isn't. It has totally changed his attitude. I remember Greg saying that right after the UCF game, he actually had to get up and leave a press conference because CJL just kept going on and on about how much he loved the team and the media. CJL actually called Greg a couple of times to ask him if he had any additional questions that he didn't get to, just wanting to make sure that the media is well informed. Now, it's not happening any more.

You must be a miserable person cee, you spend sooo much effort being negative and seeking attention. If you are actually a fan of any team, you should spend more time discussing that team. I think everyone knows that you don't like Leavitt. We got it. You don't need to tell us every chance you get. Greg, can you tell us one time that cee has had anything constructive to say? I know you don't like to ban people, but it's really getting ridiculous.

By the way Greg, you're still in top form. I haven't seen you fumble once all season. Your playcalling is superb, and you are keeping us all well informed. As we fans get more and more depressed, it is harder and harder for us to praise you for the job you are doing. Thanks.

[Ceeyore]

Nobody tells me. Nobody keeps me informed.
I make it 21 days come Sunday since USF last won a game.

[nybullsfan]

#25 in the computers

#28 overall

Oh well, it was fun while it lasted. We'll really have to put a beating on 'cuse to get back in next week.

Anybody up for another 64-12 pasting???

Cee must've had a bad date with CJL...

[E.T. Thomas]

We do have some very crasy fans ...

Go BULLS !!!

[steve oneal]

I seem to have read that Leavitt addressed the media after the game and I don't recall anybody saying he avoided them or was short or rude. Actually, I think I read it saying something along the lines of CJL being humble, if I'm not mistaken. I also think I read some quotes from players,CJL, and I'm pretty sure that was Ben Moffitt being interviewed on TV. SO, I guess your just full of SH*T again, CEE!! GO BULLS!!

[Ken]

On the radio, at least, CJL was MUCH more forthcoming than he was last week--like, by an order of magnitude or two.

We can still have a very respectable season, finish in the top 25, and play in a decent bowl (I'm thinking of that muffler company, but I like Charlotte)--but we need to start winning!

[bash]

It was fun while it lasted. We're young in terms of players but our coaches are now "coaching young". Inside draw handoff on those last drives with little time left? Terrible clock management in not only this game but others as well. And the list of bonehead coaching blunders goes on and on. Yes, Matt needs to mature some at the QB position. You gotta take the good with the bad. But come on Gregory, call plays during crucial times that will HELP him succeed. CJL needs to give a head butt or two to his coaches!!!

[Capt Obvious]

USF will drop 2 of next 3...bwahahaaaaaaaaaaa...

PS you dont have any depth because you recruit a bunch of flunky thugs and only sign 15 a year!! Sure USF wins, but at what cost?

[cee's mom]

sorry everyone, i dropped cee on his head numberous times when he was a baby.

[Stephen]

KARMA!

[Ms. Kyle]

I drove all the way from Fort Lauderdale for the game. I was there through the whole game, yelling "BULLS**T" after it was over. I'm not a bandwagon fan and you can bet i'll be there for the next home game against Louisville no matter what our record is... I just like the four hour drive home better when we win!

[cee]

Stephen, great post.. karma indeed.. you act like a jerk in front of the media and players, you get everything that comes to you.. especially a 3 game losing streak in-conference. the key question has become: what can we do as USF fans to find a new coach?

[cee's stick]

i think usf's new coach is over that way...
hold on (looks down, sees a new direction) maybe usf's new coach is over there!! wait...

Who is going to beat the bulls this week, I mean who do they play this week?

[steve]

Grothe made mistakes, yes, but how do people say bench him? And all I hear is offense...offense. Did the D play a perfect game I mean the D gave up what 24 points to a really not so good O. I think all the fans need to man up and take the good with the bad and stop the " fire this one and bench this one" it is funny how the same people get on all these web sites and complain about bandwagoneers and most of you are no diff. A true fan will support the team thru good and bad. Go ahead and blame Grothe, he can take it, but you same idiots that are saying he is crap will be on here when he has a good game singing his praises. 95% of the O is absurd. Anybody think maybe he is sick and tired of doing it all. Hell maybe he will look to put himself in a better position next year somewhere else. If Grothe up and transfers will the same people that said he sucked be happy?

[come on]

you can't be serious with the Gregory is setting up Grothe to replace him with his son. More than anything Gregory (the coach) wants a job, he wouldn't risk that just so he can say he has a son who starts CJL would never let that happen... All this negative talk about the Bulls is the bandwagon fans jumping off to get on FSU's bandwagon we don't need them.

[new coach?]

Really CEE??? You sometimes seem to have a grasp on football, but I guess when you can't repeat what Greg Auman has said or repeat stats on the computer in front of you you're a modern day idiot... A new coach?!?! Thats the worst idea I've heard, and if you were Woolard who would you hire CEE since you're the all knowing... I wonder if you really are a Bulls fan and if so why rip on them all the time, I'm 90% sure you didn't go to college so just jump on another teams bandwagon this year isn't USF's and you feel angry for buying all their apparel when they were #2 I get it but seriously the 13 year old I told you so routine is getting old anyone can sit back predict a college football team to lose and smile cause he or she thinks they are Lee Corso however it's the REAL fans that stick by them after a loss.

[keith]

what i would like to know is why....

is it that against UCONN, on 3rd and goal the play wasn't to go straight up the gut via grothe or (insert RB name here). perpendicular to the goal line vs parallel....

again, same question vs cincy. similar situation, but scoring would give them the lead instead of tie. why run a play outside when straight ahead seems much more likely to net you positive yardage?

[Brian]

Who would have thought we would be in a position to "hope" for Jim 'N Nick's BBQ in Birmingham at this time several weeks back. I will say though ... that was some good BBQ....

[G.A.]

A few more losses, and even Birmingham will be Dreamland for the Bulls.

[GoBulls]

Well at least CJL didn't embarass himself and the University this time. Greg - did he and the program apologize to you yet? I mean seriously, here you guys are - flying around following the team, staying in lousy hotels away from family, trying to get the word out, and they treat you, and the press with disrespect. That's uncalled for. CJL needs to man up and apologize.

[Windbane]

No offense to Greg, but I have no problem with how Jim Leavitt has handled the media this year. He's a great coach and makes mistakes like anyone else, but let the guy be upset after a loss if he wants. I thought how he handled this loss was nothing short of miraculous. His heart broke when he watched that film. I wonder how many teams have won with 8 or more turnovers.