Could Bulls face ECU in St. Pete instead?

We've been writing and reading that the two teams most likely to represent Conference USA in the St. Petersburg Bowl -- most likely against USF -- were Memphis and Southern Miss.

Wednesday's news that C-USA had announced two bowl pairings -- Southern Miss to New Orleans and Rice to the Texas Bowl -- opens up another intriguing possibility that might be more inviting for fans: East Carolina, which like USF made a jump in the national rankings in September only to fall out of the polls with four losses. And again, USF still has a small shot at the Meineke Car Care Bowl, but let's focus on St. Pete for the moment.

Hear me out on this: Conference USA now has four teams for four bowls. The winner of Saturday's Tulsa-ECU championship game (at Tulsa) will go to the Liberty Bowl. Let's presume that Tulsa win -- they're 13-point favorites. The GMAC Bowl in Mobile has C-USA's second choice, but that isn't necessarily ECU and could easily be Houston, which has the same conference record at ECU at 6-2 and got a 41-24 road win against the Pirates.

That would leave ECU and Memphis for bowls in Fort Worth and St. Petersburg, so geography would point to Memphis staying west and ECU coming to St. Pete. It also makes sense that C-USA might want the better team in St. Pete, against a BCS-conference opponent, rather than in Fort Worth against a Mountain West team, likely Air Force.

Memphis is still certainly a possibility -- perhaps the most likely opponent -- but the door is certainly open for ECU and USF reuniting for a rematch of the 2006 Papajohns.com Bowl. Just something to think about between now and Saturday ...

Comments

[USFBullsBabe]

I'd rather us play ECU - it's embarassing enough we play in this bowl, but to play Memphis? That would be too much. Regardless, I will be wherever they go, and whoever they play - I love the BULLS!!

P.S. Greg, I was your grammar tech! :)

[Bulliever Bob]

We would KILL ECU ... after we destroy the couch burners on Sat maybe we get a bid to the gator bowl?

GROTHE = HEISMAN IN 2010

[G.A.]

The Mobile newspaper didn't list East Carolina on the list of preferred schools -- Houston was on there. Not saying it's going to happen, but it certainly seems like a viable possibility.

[Gary S.]

I can't imagine the Mobile game passing on East Carolina. They need the attendance, since the opponent will be Western or Central Michigan. And ECU has a history with this game, namely the epic shootout between David Garrard and Byron Leftwich.

[Steve O'Neal]

Yea, a lot of ECU fans were nasty in Birmingham. Looking at the seats at the ticket site, it looks like they might be like it was in Birmingham. It would be kinda fun to beat them again. Let's beat WVU 1st. GO BULLS!

[Mike Lakeland]

ECU? Man, they had some bad fans in Birmingham. Then again, I too would much rather play against them than Memphis.

Purple Pansies!

doggone it, bulls lose.

should be a good game any bowl is a good bowl may not be the one we want but shite happens

[Greg Auman]

SRQ, looks like North Carolina on the ACC side of Meineke.

[The Champ]

Channelsurfing.net has the game on.

[Bull Hooper]

ya gotta give ALL these kids a chance to develop. it's worth noting that we're still playing a LOT of McCullum recruits, starting 4 counting Aris, who's looking like a major late bloomer.
But Stan's got 'em playing tonight!

I think we can compete in the conference if we play like we're playing so far tonight.

[Dave W]

OK, so Leemow is proving me wrong on the shot. That came out of nowhere.

THIS HOOPS GAME IS ROCKIN MY RADIO!

[SRQ Steve]

Any thoughts on which ACC Team will be in the Car Care Bowl?

[Bull Hooper]

good basketball game, should be on TV, radio is better than nothing. These two teams have quite a history, to me it's the greatest rivalry USF has.

[Greg Auman]

Espinosa took a shot to his side in Monday's practice and sat out the rest of drills. Heath had hoped he'd be able to return. Losing his versatility really hurts them against a team like UAB ...

[g-man]

If nothing else, St. Pete Bowl will be the first post-season Bulls game I've been able to attend.
Should be interesting to see how they are going to squeeze a 120 yard field in the Trop.
And yay, a cigar bar!

[Dave W]

Yea I didn't finish that thought up there. I want to see if Howmow has a pulse tonight. It would help my monster theory. Otherwise, it's just an inanimate object in a uniform.

Wait a second...

[Dave W]

Ready for some basketball?

Stop Vaden, stop UAB. Just like last season.

I think this is a very winnable game and it would look pretty good to win on the road for a school's home opener.

Apparently Espinosa is probably out. I want to see if the two headed monster of Leemow and Howard (I call him Howmow, which is alien for "He who cannot shoot").

[Don G]

If it's the St. Pete Bowl, then I'd perfer to play ECU than a 6-6 Memphis or So. Miss. Of all the C-USA teams that could be seriously considered to move up to a BCS conference (Big East), it's ECU because of quality of football program and their geographic location to BE teams.

[BC]

Ugh

[Greg Auman]

Egad. You caught that before I could. Fixed. Ouch.

[Grammar tech]

shame on you Greg! It should read "Hear" me out on this!