Memphis relishing underdog role vs. Bulls

ST. PETERSBURG -- Jim Leavitt looked out from The Pier during a news conference Tuesday afternoon, enjoying the warm weather and remembering how as a child he'd watched fireworks there each July 4 in lawn chairs with his family.

Part of Leavitt's excitement for playing in the inaugural St. Petersburg Bowl against Memphis on Dec. 20 is nostalgia -- returning to the city he grew up in, going up against an old Conference USA rival.

Most of his players don't have that history with St. Petersburg, however, and none playing next week lined up against Memphis the last time the teams met in 2004.

So one of the biggest challenges facing Leavitt is matching the motivation that Memphis will have, given a chance to upset a BCS opponent  and to show the Bulls aren't better than the league they left behind.

"To have a chance to compete against a BCS (team), one of the three that left our league and went to the Big East, I'm not going to act like it's not important, because I think it is," Memphis coach Tommy West said. "When you're not in the BCS, it's a big deal. That's where we want to be."

After last year's 56-21 loss to Oregon in the Sun Bowl, Leavitt admitted that Oregon had benefited from being tagged as underdogs leading up to the bowl, while USF lacked that motivation.

Now, as the Bulls open as two-touchdown favorites against Memphis in what is essentially a home game, USF will have to guard against a similar disadvantage.

"We don't mind playing that role," West said. "We'll be the underdog, and it'll be a great challenge for us."

Memphis hasn't beaten a BCS conference team since its 2004 opener against Mississippi. The Tigers are 0-7 since, but five of those losses have been by a touchdown or less, making them a dangerous opponent.

USF, along the same lines, has won its last 12 games against non-BCS teams, a streak that goes back to 2004 and a loss at home ... to Memphis.

NOT-SO-SWEET ALABAMA: Not everybody is happy with USF playing in the St. Petersburg Bowl. Tom Luicci of the Newark Star-Ledger blogs that Rutgers should be at Tropicana Field instead of being banished to Birmingham.

Rutgers is the league's hottest team, for sure, and at 7-5 has the same record as USF, with the head-to-head tiebreaker. "It makes no sense," he writes. "USF won't sell that many tickets."

A few things worth pointing out: The St. Petersburg folks who chose USF are the same folks -- ESPN Regional -- who selected Rutgers for Birmingham. They own and operate both bowls. The combined attendance with the current scenario will be appreciably higher than if Rutgers were in St. Pete and USF in Birmingham. And he points out that Papajohns.com has a low payout, but the Big East equalizes the lower bowls' payouts so each school in Birmingham, Charlotte, Toronto and St. Petersburg gets the same payout: $1-million. Maybe Rutgers loses a tiny amount in the travel reimbursement from the league, but they'd also likely be spending more in traveling to Florida. Would that many Rutgers fans want to fly to Tampa for the second time in five weeks?

And from a conference perspective, the Big East wants a hot Rutgers team facing a BCS opponent in N.C. State -- they're more likely to get two wins that way than if they had Rutgers pummel Memphis and put USF in a terribly unattractive rematch with the Wolfpack. Yes, the Bulls beat N.C. State in Raleigh, but not with current quarterback Russell Wilson at the helm.

And besides, Birmingham has Dreamland, which I'll put up against anybody's ribs ...

Comments

[Ken]

Whenever he came, I'm glad we have him, and I expect considerable improvement, if slowly.

[G.A.]

Odd. I'd found a story with a May 2006 datestamp announcing his hiring.

Again, I think if you've been recruiting to someone to Rutgers all year and then get elevated to head coach at Rutgers, it's much easier to get the kid than if you're recruiting the kid to Arkansas all year and get named head coach at USF. Date aside, it's not really an apples-to-apples comparison. Bobby Gonzalez getting Eugene Harvey makes more sense to prove that point.

[Reality]

Much better than Hill.

[DELdaBULL]

Reality,

Are you saying Stan is a good coach or just better than Hill?

[DELdaBULL]

Reality,

Are you saying Stan is a good coach or just better than Hill?

[Reality]

Yes, April 2nd..... a whole 5 days later on the calendar than Fred Hill, except 1 year later. Fred Has had 4 years of recruiting time, and he has done much better than Stan could ever dream. Stan is a much better coach of talent than Freddy though. If Stan could get Hill's talent at recruiting, then USf would be set, and actually when Fred gets fired soon, that should be Stan's guy to get. Fred is an animal at getting kids he has no business getting, going all the way back to Randy Foye.

http://www.gousfbulls.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=7700&ATCLID=847595&

Don't let facts get in the way.

Except that Stan got hired April 2007 by USF.

[Reality]

Greg,

You are slipping. Freddy was hired on March 27th, 2006. Long before he got Hamady from the diploma mill at Stoneridge.

Stan you recall was recruiting players to Arkansas, he surely could have found someone.....

http://scarletknights.com/basketball-men/coaches/hill.asp

[jesse]

Is Memphis even a division 1 school? What a crap bowl game.

[DELdaBULL]

Thanks GA for clearing that up. I am not big on reviewing the recruiting circles, but it makes sense to me that getting a great "get" after April cannot be easy, and must be even harder when you take over the toughest job in college basketball.

[G.A.]

Reality, N'diaye isn't really an accurate example. He signed with Rutgers in April 2006, a month before Fred Hill got the Rutgers job. And Hill was an assistant at Rutgers who recruited N'diaye. And all that was a year before Heath came to USF, so I don't see how it applies here.

Harvey is a good example of a great late recruiting get.

[Reality]

Del, hate to break it to you, but other coaches that get hired when Stan did, still go out and get some very good players.

Big East rookie of the year runnerup two years ago, Eugene Harvey.

Hamady N'diaye two years ago.

Last year's class was very high risk and could have been very high reward, but most of them have not panned out. Mercer and Gilchrist will be good, but what about the others? The bench is still VERY short. We are still playing walkons.

[DELdaBULL]

Ken,

My obtuse comment was meant for Reality that isn't. Your comment was not on my device while I was responding. Conference wins are always nice.

[DELdaBULL]

The second class that was the first class GA. The second class that was the first class.

[G.A.]

"Pared itself down to nothing." ... Remember, that second class includes Mike Mercer and Gus Gilchrist. Let 'em play their first game before you write them off, right?

[DELdaBULL]

Steve it is not even a full two recruiting years. He had like 2 months to find Orane Chin from the scrap heaps while convincing Jones to stay. Last year was the only recruiting year he had. Making USF competitive in Big East basketball is a monumental task.

Good luck to Stan.

[Steve O'Neal]

I don't believe that you would give Heath any credit at all if he turned this program into a top team. Time will tell.

[Steve O'Neal]

His 3rd year of recruiting is NOT finished yet. Now you're Bichin about something that hasn't even happened yet.

[Ken]

How so, I thought we were talking about basketball.

Bulliever, I agree that coaching appears to be big reason for this year's disappointment. Of the losses to Pitt, L'ville, and WVA, the point difference was 5 or less for each. If USF wins 2 of those 3 games, they have a 9-win season with excellent shot at 10-wins in SPB. Re: Bulls WRs, agree, just too many dropped balls all year. However, they actually played very well against WVA. Grothe started off season throwing accurately and was throwing the deep ball the best I've seen him. Not sure what happened, but Grothe tanked in second half of season. I've mentioned his mechanics before (slow, deliberate delivery), so where is Coach Chico when passing game needs help? Everyone talks highly of the QB coach, but frankly, I'm not sure why? OC hasn't impressed me since he arrived and after watching his play-calling last year. I agree with you that it's time for another OC. You made an interesting point about does CJL keep Gregory for a fall guy in what will probably be a less than successful season next year? Not sure CJL is that type of guy, but we'll see if Gregory goes or not. As Al has said, hard to think of a player that has really improved over course of the year? It certainly isn't anyone on the OL or Grothe.

[DELdaBULL]

You can't be serious. You read very obtuse with that last comment.

[Ken]

It would be nice to win a few conference games, and get out of the cellar.

[Reality]

This is his third recruiting class.

Year 1 got Chin.

Year 2 got 8 players that has pared itself down to nothing.

Year 3 has Dumars and Noriega.

[Greg Auman]

See, sometimes I think about correcting something, but it's more fun to watch you guys police yourselves.

[DELdaBULL]

Reality,
You are aware that this is Stan's second season?

[Windbane]

Reality, it is odd that you are so down on him considering he did a great job recruiting at Arkansas. Give him time. It's not easy going from bottom of the Big East to anywhere else. The Big East has 8 ranked teams, so to be in the top half of the conference you have to be in the top 25. That isn't easy.

[Windbane]

3 years? Did I miss an entire year and a half?

[Steve O'Neal]

You've never read one of my posts saying that Heath is doing a "great" job. This team was so bad that nobody was going to turn it around right away. The program was NOT improving under previous coach. You liked McCullum and have not been happy with Heath even before he got here. Like I said, we all understand you don't like Heath. You even criticise him when the article is about football. Just give the guy a chance is all I'm saying.

[Reality]

Of course, Steve. I have very little to worry about, but I will step up when Stan steps it up.

You guys keep talking about how great a job he is doing. Look at his recruiting. This is year 3, and we still have no high school recruits that are Big east level.

Look at what he has brought in:

Mercer- already arrested while here, and somehow had academic issues at a SEC school???? How does that happen?

Gilchrist-Had to make up a job, so that he could get Gus. I hope Gus plays well, and that he helps bring in some other players, as we do not have too many more positions available.

Rivas- A guy, that even The Champ couldnt tak up, and he has brutal legs that will hinder him.

Orane Chin- Likes to wear his jersey backward and is gone.

Aaron Holmes- Hopefully will do better at Tulane

Teeng Akol- Academic Stalwart, we will see how he does at OK St, but academically couldnt cut it at USF

Gene Teague/Dwan McMillan, two of the better players that Stan tried to get here, one at prep/one at JC now, neither playing here.

BJ Ayayi?

Anybody else I am missing?

Howard/Verdejo/Jones/Williams all Bob's guys, so what exactly has Stan done to make all you guys so happy?

[Steve O'Neal]

Reality, everybody gets it. YOU DON'T LIKE HEATH! If he does turn this program around and make it a winner, will you give him credit?

[Reality]

UCF beat Stan in basketball though. That is like losing to UCF in football. Unacceptable.

[RR]

Solid comments, Bulliever.

[Rob]

Note to Chalko: USF beat UCF all four times played! USF is in a BCS conference, UCF is not, USF is going to a bowl this year, UCF is not. Thats why you are here on this blog. Go Bulls

[Bulliever]

Unfortunately, I would have to disagree with you...

OC did call a pretty good game...last week...but, one week should not dictate the entire season….I never saw Grothe given the opportunity to run...That is when he is at his best and dangerous!

There were times during the season where Grothe had plays designed for him to run...I did not see that during the WVa game...

As for Grothe's accuracy ...yep, he screwed up a few times...But, the receivers are just at fault...I have NEVER in my life seen so many dropped passes when Grothe hit their numbers!

And when the running backs fumble...Why is that Grothe's fault.
It is a coaching issue:

1) Grothe needs to make better decisions...like throw a ball over the guys head in the end zone also behind the defense (WVA game)...

Why does he make bad decisions? Coaching...YOU have to coach your players...teach them how to make good decisions...

2) Receivers need to learn how to catch the balls! Coaches teach you that.

3) Running backs should NEVER fumble the ball in the red zone. Coaches should teach the RBs how to avoid the strip.

4) Hate to do this to Wally because he is one of the best coaches we have on staff. But we has some serious issues with guys not making their tackles…Teach those defenders to wrap up a guy...Tackling 101...Although, we did look a lot better in the last 2 games.

[Rob]

Finally someone else is saying what I've been saying all along! Grothe has no arm, no deep ball, and no touch! This is why the Big East ran over USF and it will be the same next year unless Grothe stays home from his hunting trip and actually practices his deep ball!

[Al]

Play calling is one thing...developing the talent the team recruits is "also" a major factor in how a team performs...take a look at Grothe, he's now a junior in his third season as starting QB...has he improved over the last three years? In my opinion the answer is NO, he has not. Who is to blame for that, Grothe or the coaching staff? Can anyone name a QB that was developed into a better player by the USF coaching staff?

Hey Chalko, What happened to the ""OCS - Home field advantage you and your Gnat buddies were raving about before this season started? How many home games did UCF win this year?

[Bulliever]

RR,

No one is having a melt down...I just like to have a place where I can intelligently criticize my team without the constant babbling and interruption of an idiot...

But, what is funny after I made my little dissertation on the last thread...Look at Chalko go...He actually came up with a good argument...Backed it up with some statistics...Good Job!

Anyway, to comment on what Chalko has said…
I honestly do not think it is CJL and his mediocrity, I think it is the OC...

If we get a new OC and we do better than .500, then we know it was the OC...

Now if we stay with the status quo and don't do any better next year, then is still the OC? Or is it CJL too afraid to actually make the changes he needs to make, because if he does not do well...He has a “Fall Guy”, the OC …It buys him another year from the fans, alumni, etc to be calling for his head...

Whatever the case, USF has high expectations now and we should not lose momentum...It will be interesting to see what happens during the Spring...

[Steve O'Neal]

I'll tell you what Chalko. I think I'll believe the coach at Memphis. I'm sure the CUSA officials wern't to happy with him basically stating that all non bcs conference schools aspired to be in the BCS. So I will take the word an actual FB coach of a non BCS school with a name and face, instead of a faceless nameless internet troll. Your post, as usual, was funny as heck though. HAHAHA!

[Steve O'Neal]

I had the ribs at Jim & Nicks while in Birmingham for bowl game. I thought they were really good but not as great as built up to be. I've had 1st choice, Big Johns on 40th st, even the old blue flame on Rome just off Cypress before it closed and many others. I had BBQ in Memphis on Beall st. I still stand by Smokin Joe's at his brother Ricks custom meat market in Pinecrest.

[Chalko]

Trust me, nobody is envious of a mediocre Big East team. The problem people have with USF is their lack of legitimacy and their fans. Leavitt would recruit a prison yard if he could. Several out-of-state junior colleges should be renaimd USF CC (Insert State Name). No need to mention the ungodly amount of hardship waivers. As far as the USF fans are concerned they are cocky, disrespectful, and delirious. USF has pulled a couple of upsets, but besides that has been a .500 Big East and C-USA team, big deal! USF has won a bowl game, the Pizza Bowl! BIG DEAL! Better yet, when times are tough in USF land it's great to see everyone crying and offering their unreal scenarios to change the team. Until things change, keep quiet girls!

[busf]

I give the slight edge to Jim n'Nick's ribs over Dreamland. Both are the best ribs around. Nothing comes close in the in bay area or even in jacksonville FL, where I now reside.

[Don G]

Our schizophrenic Bulls make me nervous due to their propensity for playing down to the level of their opponent. With this underdog status and playng a BCS school thing as added incentive for Memphis, I hope USF players realize the importance of this game & its' potential affect on recruiting? Question is: will the Bulls' offense of old (the good one) show up on 20Dec?

[RR]

I enjoy the UCF "trolls." Makes for great entertainment. The best part is watching our fans who take things a bit too seriously go into a meltdown.

Good times.

[Steve O'Neal]

It doesn't bother me what some other teams fans think or say on our USF blog. Especially the ones from NON BCS conference schools(Chalko, etc). The quote from the Memphis coach sums up what ALL non BCS schools think, "when you're not in the BCS, it's a big deal. That is where we want to be". So keep on posting ridiculous junk Chalko and all the other ucf trolls. It just shows the jealousy and envy for USF. GO BULLS!

[G.A.]

We did a "guide to Birmingham" the year USF played there and Robert McCullum recommended Jim n' Nicks -- USF actually had a gathering there. By the time I got there, they were out of ribs ...

[Steve O'Neal]

Smokin' Joe's at Ricks custom meats on sr39 is the best BBQ in the bay area. Brothers, Rick and Joe Shirley have a fine little business out there in Pinecrest. Ribs so flavorful they don't need any bbq sauce. MMMMMMM ribs and beer! Tailgatin' and GO BULLS!

[Steve]

This is te most biased article I have ever read. Jim and Nicks have hands down better ribs than Dreamland. Now I admit I was stuck in the dreamland hype the last time I was in B town, but that is all it was... HYPE.

http://www.birminghammenus.com/jimnnicks/newsite/newsite.html

[Reliabull]

Unless they move Juarez to Florida, we should be better prepared.

[G.A.]

Times had put it on hold at one point just to make sure they were OK with it. This recent lull is just me being busy with other stuff and forgetting.

If I go too long without one, call me out here and then I'll remember. We're up to 134 following there, so I shouldn't leave you guys hanging ...

For those of you who haven't signed up, it's free at twitter.com/gregauman.