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 ...
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 wasn't going to be able to make it Saturday night, but I'll be back for Sunday night--I'll be there!
Posted by: Ken | April 23, 2008 at 08:28 AM
What a crappy move!
Posted by: BullBard | April 23, 2008 at 08:17 AM
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.
Posted by: Adam | April 23, 2008 at 08:16 AM
Playing this game on Sunday night (8 pm) sucks big time. Unless it's for the BEast Championship, I won't be there.
Posted by: Al | April 23, 2008 at 07:57 AM
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.
Posted by: Jim Johnson | April 23, 2008 at 07:34 AM
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 ...
Posted by: G.A. | April 23, 2008 at 01:47 AM
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!!
Posted by: Miles Lamoureux | April 23, 2008 at 01:47 AM
"...if I WERE Woolard."
Hm?
Posted by: Stephen Blackehart | April 23, 2008 at 01:41 AM
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"
Posted by: Mr. Ari Hinkelberger | April 23, 2008 at 12:45 AM