More ESPN: USF-UConn moved to Sunday

I'm telling you, ESPN really likes USF football.

The Bulls now have six 2008 games scheduled for broadcast on ESPN or ESPN2 this fall, as USF's home finale against Connecticut has been backed up a day to Sunday, Nov. 23, when it will have an 8 p.m. kickoff on ESPN.

The game's only football competition will be the NBC prime-time NFL game, which has the Chargers hosting the Colts. (The Bucs are at Detroit that afternoon.) The Sunday kickoff won't create a short week for either team because both have the next week off; USF finishes the season at West Virginia on Dec. 7, while Connecticut plays host to Pittsburgh the same day.

That gives the Bulls four non-Saturday games this fall, with a Friday game against Kansas on Sept. 12 and Thursday games in October against Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. It's reasonable to think USF and Connecticut could both be in the hunt for the Big East title, so this game could have major conference ramifications, with most of the conference off the following week. Thanksgiving, by the way, is Nov. 27 this fall -- that's a Thursday, but I think it might get moved to Friday so it can air on ESPN2 ...

Comments

[Mr. Ari Hinkelberger]

Sunday College football might be the dumbest thing invented since reusable toilet paper.

Sunday is for the NFL. Nobody on the planet watches the sunday night espn college football game. I think it actually makes your program look cheap.

I would veto this if I was Woolard.

Image is everything, and playing on Sunday night makes me think "Dayton" not "Florida State"

[Stephen Blackehart]

"...if I WERE Woolard."

Hm?

[Miles Lamoureux]

I love a primetime Sunday night game. For many fans, they only follow college football and could care less about the NFL (i'm not one of them so don't bash me). This gives them a game to watch on Sunday night while the NFL has a game as well. Ray Jay will be rocking and the field will be painted for the ultimate REVENGE!!

[G.A.]

Don't post on this blog without a full knowledge of your subjunctive verbs. Surprised you guys let that fly for 56 minutes as it is ...

[Jim Johnson]

Greg... Another interesting point: This will be USF's second Sunday Night game ever. The first was a 23-6 loss @ Cincinnati on October 22, 2006.

[Al]

Playing this game on Sunday night (8 pm) sucks big time. Unless it's for the BEast Championship, I won't be there.

[Adam]

I think it can be great. All Bulls fans should be looking forward to a Monday off of work.

President Genshaft should declare the following Monday a student holiday. Night games just have a great atmosphere, there is plenty of time between now and then to plan your Monday around the game.

[BullBard]

What a crappy move!

[Ken]

I wasn't going to be able to make it Saturday night, but I'll be back for Sunday night--I'll be there!

[Norb]

Is it NBC that has an option of first choice of game for Sunday night broadcasts? Can't see Colts/Chargers being bumped but stranger things have happened.

[Al]

"Night games just have a great atmosphere, there is plenty of time between now and then to plan your Monday around the game." Adam

It'the Sunday before Thanksgiving....some people travel to see family and friends that week...waiting till after a Sat game to leave is ok but giving up Sunday too is a bit much...since it's an 8 pm game (which won't start till 8:15/8:30) it will be a very late night...so unless it's for the BE Title, I'll watch it on the tube if it's available.

[Paul Wall]

Hey Al,

I am pretty sure you can watch on the Tube.. since its going to be on ESPN.... let me know if you don't get that channel.

[Blake]

I'll take all the national attention we can get...I just hope that week isn't like every other week of Thanksgiving, usually every single one of my classes decides that Monday and Tuesday are great days to give an exam.

[Caleb]

Great, so me, being a Tampa area Colts fan has to decide between USF and the Colts?

Geez.

[Dave W]

I don't like this. I know how important ESPN games are, but how on earth are people going to cope on Monday?

[Blkice12]

From a financial standpoint this is a good move for USF and UCONN both schools could use the money. So if I WERE Woolard I would say yes.

It does not matter what day the game is played its whether both teams are in the hunt for the championship at the point.

Maybe we shoud ask the players and the coaches if they care when the game is being played.

[Mr. Ari Hinkelberger]

Let me ask you this question??

Would Oklahoma play on Sunday Night??

Would the Gators play Sunday Night??

Would you find the Cornhuskers playing Sunday Night??

I give this a big thumbs down. Who plays the game before us?? Western Mich vs Gallaudet

[Al]

With USF selling out to ESPN...you never know what day or night a game is going to be played....It's getting really close to the point where I don't renew my season tickets and Bulls Club donation and watch the games on TV when it's convienent...there is after all more to life than football.

Wall, forget ESPN, I don't even know if there will be a TV where I'll be spending Thanksgiving week...family time is more important than any sporting event.

[Matt]

Ari is upset because it will interfere with his church services, I'm sure.

Ari... does Oklahoma need the extra money ESPN will bring in? Do the Gators or the Huskers need it?

We do. End of story.

PS - Western Michigan and Gallaudet probably need it worse than we do. =)

ESPN has a lot of clout if they can move Thanksgiving from Thursday to Friday.

[Josh]

It's ESPN, it doesn’t matter what day we play on. Jeeez, a few years ago we would have been begging for this. We win at AU and beat WVU a couple times and all of a sudden we are picky about what day the game is on?!?! I remember when seeing "S Florida" on the bottom ticker of ESPN was cool. Or how about beating Bowling Green...that was just AWESOME or how about "almost" beating Oklahoma. All you negative Nancy's out there are ridiculous. There's no such thing as bad publicity. Stop acting so pretentious.

[G.A.]

USF doesn't have a choice, best I can tell. ESPN controls the Big East schedule. If they say USF is playing Tuesday morning in the "Mike and Mike" studios, USF just asks if they wear white or green.

[Mr. Ari Hinkelberger]

Maybe we should just play on Wends so all our games can be on TV.

In the words of Andre Agassi

"Image is everything."

[ucfrocks]

UCF turned down this. So ESPN begged USF to take it. UCF would never play on a Sunday. We know that Sunday's are for church.

[jarred]

Amen! Josh is exactly right. Who are we to complain about being on tv? There is no way this could be bad for our program. More exposure equals more recruits, money, and fans.

[jdizzle]

hey espn.. u cant do this, ari doesnt think it is a good idea, screw getting another NATIONALLY televised game.. we dont need any more recruits.. o ya and al will have to change his plans.. hahahah.. so hard to make everyone happy.. get a grip fellas, this is how u get to b a 'gators or oklahoma-caliber program'.. its called exposure and we can take all we can get..

[DELdaBULL]

For real. Please see Virginia Tech.

[DELdaBULL]

Exposure is never bad, is it?

[jdizzle]

not unless its fsu, ex: preston parker, academic scandals.. ouch

[Mr. Ari Hinkelberger]

Hey...

I think all these "play Sunday night folks" should endorse Woolard and the gang moving our games to Wends nights right after Desperate Housewives..

That way we can get "exposure."

Exposure doens't mean SQUAT!.

Winning is what builds the program.

Con USA plays every freakin weeknight in November and it hasn't done much for Rice.

I bet you didn't even know that Con USA played weeknight games in November.

Probably because you missed all the "exposure."

we play Saturdays....just like everyone else.

PLaying SUnday night makes the program look cheap and second rate.

[Miles Lamoureux]

ucfrocks,
Its great that you can prove you are an idiot.
UCF @ Southern Miss
Sunday 10/28/07 ESPN
I thought UCF didn't play Sunday games??

[Jordan]

I am not crazy about the Sunday night game, but.... I would rather have a nationally televised game any night of the week over not having USF be on TV at all. I am a junior at USF, my freshmen year, I couldnt watch USF on TV. I remember the night we beat Louisville in 2005, my family from fricking BRADENTON could not watch the game. A ranked team vs. a local team and it wasn't on TV. Now, we are complaining because it is not prime time on saturday night. I will agree that saturday night prime time would be the best, but I WILL def. take the nationally televised game. Y'all talk about Florida, Nebraska, and the like.... do you think they became who they are in a decade? Don't compare us to Florida bc we are not Florida, don't compare me to Nebraska bc we are not Nebraska. I am willing to take the baby steps to becoming a permanent big time program. Not just some damn flash in the pan.

[Mr. Ari Hinkelberger]

I was thinking maybe we should work something out with the "Travel Channel"

We could get some solid exposure -- you know South Florida and the Travel Channel..

Reminds me of milk and cookies.

[jarred]

Ari, we get it, you dont like it. Just shut up about it already. How many posts does it take, until you are satisfied. We heard you already.

[Bullshark]

Ari:
Have you watched the Huskers lately? They probably don't want prime time Saturday national exposure until they start winning their homecomming game. They probably would play on Sunday night.

What's the alternative? Tell ESPN no thanks and insist the game be played on Saturday (Rivalry weekend) and televised on c-47 for a fraction of the country to watch. I'm lost with how 8:00pm kickoff on a Sunday Night (not 2:00am or 9:00 am kickoff) makes a program look cheap. You are aware a lot of popular events are televised on Sundays nights? Does the Superbowl look cheap?

[Mr. Ari Hinkelberger]

I think we should do everthing we can to be on ESPN. If that means we air live just following the 2004 World Series of Poker, then its all systems go!.

What happened to Saturday at 3:30.??

Sunday night is just stupid.

[xr4ti_007]

“We don’t play on Sunday Nights…” “Mike Jenkins didn’t intercept a pass in the 64-12 beating of UCF…” Wrong again ucfrockhead; in fact, the next time your right will be the first time your right.

[Al]

"I am not crazy about the Sunday night game, but.... I would rather have a nationally televised game any night of the week over not having USF be on TV at all. I am a junior at USF, my freshmen year, I couldnt watch USF on TV. I remember the night we beat Louisville in 2005, my family from fricking BRADENTON could not watch the game." Jordan

It was a fricken home game...

Why do your family and (others)who were too cheap to buy tickets and come to the stadium matter?

To me, it's the fans who buy tickets, donate to the Bulls Club and actually attend the games who matter, not some couch potatoes in Idaho or some cheapskates in fricken Bradenton.

[Jordan]

WOW Al, way to take a cheapshot. I havent missed a game since I have been at USF- not one single fricking game, so don't pull the whole "us true fans crap"... you sound like Ari. I wonder if you have made every game in the past three seasons.... doubt it. Second, my family does not have season tickets. They try to make as many games as they can, but family affairs are def. a first priority to them. Dont bash me or my family... its not my fault your some punk little kid who doesnt have any friends.

[Jordan]

I just re-read your post and its almost pathetic. "Its the fans that donate money to the Bulls Club". I am a student. I would love to donate money, and as soon as I graduate, you better believe season tickets and donating will be a top priority. However, if you are saying that only true fans donate, then I guess us students are not true fans. God, you are such a punk

[Ken]

Al, of course there is more to life than football, but this is college football, and USF, and that's got to rank pretty high.

Ari, what is a Wend? Jordan has it right, and I'm confident he will be a true G & G fan his whole life.

GO BULLS--on Thursday or Friday or Saturday or even Sunday--and we're going to see all of those this year! Whew!

[Jordan]

Thanks Ken... Al, you say earlier that you wont go to the game b/c its on a Sunday, but then start yappin like your something special

[G.A.]

Kids, kids. Don't make me turn this blog around and go straight home. Enough already.

[Dave W]

Wow, I missed some fun here. Seriously, you guys need to not be offended by something someone says here. As far as I can tell, Ari and Herm know each other, and Blake and I know each other, but I don't think anyone else knows another regular poster. Back to the original point: Sunday games are not traditional, but ESPN is profitable. Sunday night may pose problems for people who have to work on Monday morning (in my case, since I probably won't be in the state, I won't be able to attend without missing a day of work...although I guess I need a job first to miss work, but without a job, I can't afford tickets, and without tickets, I can't go to a game, so a game on ESPN is free to watch at a bar or Sears. Apparently, I'm really confused about this, and I've thought way too hard about it, especially right before finals).

And GA, I bet that is an idle threat. My dad threatened to stop the car on the way to the Grand Canyon, but I knew he wouldn't, because he wanted to see it so badly. For the same reason, you like the debates on here because it gives you more traffic and exposure, as well as entertainment.

Dave W- the voice of reason. What a terrifying thought.

[Marc]

All USF fans that live too far to drive to games really appreciate watching our bulls for free (and with ease)

[jarred]

Me and JR know each other, but he is usually too busy to post on here because he pays money to josh for his site.

[JR]

YA MAYNG we kno people, i kno like 17 people on hur, but i gots the real info on the low, and i would tell you what, USF!!!!

Damn, I've already allocated all my vaca time for the year. Either I call in sick that Monday or it's gonna be a looong day.

[Boomer Sooner]

get a grip fellas, this is how u get to b a 'gators or oklahoma-caliber program'.. its called exposure and we can take all we can get"..Posted by: jdizzle

Horse poop.....Oklahoma got where they are before college football had much TV coverage.

They did it by raising and spending big dollars...Bud Wilkinson and winning football games, and championships.

Little things in 17 years under the guidance of Wilkinson like winning 47 straight games (1953 - 1957), 14 Big 8 Conference Championships and 3 National Championships (50, 55, 56)

1962 8-3-0 Big 8 Conference Champions
1959 7-3-0 Big 8 Conference Champions
1958 10-1-0 Big 8 Conference Champions
1957 10-1-0 Big 8 Conference Champions
1956 10-0-0 National Champions
Big 8 Conference Champions
1955 11-0-0 National Champions
Big 8 Conference Champions
1954 10-0-0 Big 8 Conference Champions
1953 9-1-1 Big 8 Conference Champions
1952 8-1-1 Big 8 Conference Champions
1951 8-2-0 Big 8 Conference Champions
1950 10-1-0 National Champions
Big 8 Conference Champions
1949 11-0-0 Big 8 Conference Champions
1948 10-1-0 Big 8 Conference Champions
1947 7-2-1 Big 8 Conference Co-Champions

[Dave W]

Boy, that 1948 Championship really helped against WVU...

Considering that we didn't exist until a decade later, we are at a serious disadvantage in exposure. Beano Cook's idiotic and antiquated views express the reticence of college football to accept change.

In order to exact change, we need to be visible to the entire American market. That you posted here hints that we are getting there, so thanks!

[Mike Lakeland]

I'm for it.

[Mr. Ari Hinkelberger]

Greg,
Any word on the deal with the Food Channel?? I heard we might be able to follow Emeril..

[Ken]

Dave, tell them at work on Friday about how you're not feeling too good. Be back to work or on the road Tuesday! Mark it on the calendar.

[Boomer Sooner]

Sunday ESPN appearances don't win games. USF needs to win more games and BE Championships...So far Leavitt hasn't managed better than a middle of the pack finish in the BE...Produce like the Sooners did under Bud Wilkinson and the Bulls will get the exposure they need without playing on Sunday nights.

[Boomer Sooner]

"Boy, that 1948 Championship really helped against WVU..." Dave D

Winning or losing one game doesn't affect the overall status of a solid program...Beating Auburn only helped the Bulls status for a week or two.

[xr4ti_007]

Well Boomer, check back when USF has 60 years of football under its belt.

[Mr. Ari Hinkelberger]

I actually agree with Boomer.
Winning brings exposure...not a Sunday night game that nobody is watching outside of tampa.

We should play Saturdays just like everyone else. Imagine how screwed up the BCS rankings would be if we are invovled in them. The rankings come out sunday afternoon and we haven't even played yet. So dumb.

[jdizzle]

r u serious?? 1947-1967.. talk about living in the past.. not hating on oklahoma, great program, but lets compare apples to apples.. i think ari makes up characters just to agree with him.. hahah.. anyways usf is not an ou or uf caliber program and i would never compare them, but i do appreciate u taking the time to type in all those stats.. for comedic value of course..

[Boomer Sooner]

You're the on who brought up Oklahoma and how you get to be a program of their stature. It's done by winning week in and week out, winning championships and committed donors, not TV coverage as you believe.

Ummm, lets see which will do more for the program....eight games (Saturdays, Sundays, Thursdays, Fridays) on ESPN with a third or fourth place finish in the Big East or one Saturday game on ESPN and 10-2 or 11-1 and the Big East Title. My money is on the later.

Let me say it again your theory is horsepoop.

"hey espn.. u cant do this, ari doesnt think it is a good idea, screw getting another NATIONALLY televised game.. we dont need any more recruits.. o ya and al will have to change his plans.. hahahah.. so hard to make everyone happy.. get a grip fellas, this is how u get to b a 'gators or oklahoma-caliber program'.. its called exposure and we can take all we can get.." Posted by: jdizzle |