USF won't have to wait until Thanksgiving for a shot at one of the state's "Big Three" programs. USF and Florida State have announced that the two schools will meet in a home-and-home series, with the first meeting in Tallahassee on Sept. 26 this fall and the return game in Tampa on Sept. 29, 2012.
"This is a milestone moment for our program and a tremendous opportunity for our players,” USF coach Jim Leavitt said in a statement. "Florida State has a great football tradition and we have a tremendous amount of respect for them. They will present our team with a great challenge and we embrace that."
The Times' Brian Landman first reported the possibility of a home-and-home series on his blog on Monday after speaking with Seminoles athletic director Randy Spetman. USF had a full schedule for this fall but will move its previously scheduled Oct. 10 game at Indiana to the 2015 season to free up an opening for the Seminoles.
"We are pleased to have added USF to our football schedule," Spetman said in a release on FSU's official site. "Anytime you can play a quality in-state opponent, everybody wins because it generates excitement for fans of both schools throughout the state."
This news means that USF will play all three of the state's other BCS conference schools in the next two seasons -- the Bulls and Miami will play each year for the next five seasons on Thanksgiving week, and USF is scheduled to play a game in Gainesville against the Gators in 2010 and again in 2015.
To accommodate the 2012 game, USF has shifted its scheduled game at Michigan State until 2013, with the Spartans' return game to Tampa now scheduled for 2017. The Indiana series has been shifted as well, with the Bloomington game in 2015 and the Tampa game in 2016. Here's the official release from USF, along with a year-by-year look at future nonconference schedules. Presuming the Bulls continue to play two nonconference BCS teams each year, the Bulls are fully booked on BCS opponents through the 2013 season.
Florida State coach Bobby Bowden acknowledged in July the possibility of the two teams meeting, though he expressed some reluctance because of the danger of losing to the Bulls. "You usually try to find somebody that you've got a chance to win, instead of getting your nose bloodied," he said.
-- Greg Auman and Brian Landman, Times staff writers
Times sportswriter Greg Auman, who covers USF, will post news and thoughts on the Bulletin and we invite your participation in the comments area.
UF,FSU and USF are all STATE schools......none of them Harvard or Princton when it comes to academics! All the Florida state universities do a good job and are pretty close in academics. Anyone that attends and graduates from any of them should be proud of their accomplishment.
Posted by: Steve O'Neal | September 28, 2009 at 09:31 AM
hey everyone, the fsu essay is OPTIONAL....i know because i completed the application, got in, and went to usf anyway
Posted by: sh | September 28, 2009 at 09:14 AM
Can't we all just get along? USF has a young program and have done fairly well thus far. I'm glad the players "looked over" by the other "big three" put on yet another big upset. Great job BJ. Much respect to UF, UM and FSU as they have made FL football what it is today. Can't you all just bite your pride and congratulate the Bulls on a solid win? some say FSU beat themselves, but the bulls also made some bone-head plays too. The Bulls still came out on top. It's a long season and we're just in the beginning.
Posted by: bigbully | September 26, 2009 at 04:16 PM
Wow...talk about trash talk on both sides. Leave on the field...Oh and guess USF is winning!!!!!!
Wait, I can't ignore one ignorant comment...the better question is who did FSU bribe to get a medical school????
Posted by: footballfanperiod | September 26, 2009 at 03:17 PM
Some FSU fans/students keep saying that FSU is the flagship...which it's not. Anyone in their right minds knows that UF has been and will always be the flagship. "FSU" is the reject school of UF. USF is the rejejct of FSU. Plain and simple.
UF did not derive from FSU, LAW-NOLE, maybe hat is what they teach you @ FSU. in the late 1800's there was east and west seminary schools (east in Tallahassee and west in Lake City.) UF was formed and moved to Gainesville after the schools in LAKE CITY and OCALA combined to make The University of the STATE of Florida...then renamed UF. West Seminary school was first a military college then it became FLORIDA STATE COLLEGE FOR WOMEN...then changed to FSU after it turned Co-ed.
So once again it just shows you why a GATOR will always be better than a NOEL. Know your facts Mr. "LAWYER".
It's great to be a FLORIDA GATOR
Posted by: G-A-T-O-R | September 26, 2009 at 01:28 PM
Everyone here comparing getting into FSU vs USF. Uh, to get into FSU, you actually have to write an essay and put thought into your application. The application for USF took me literally 15 minutes, and was nothing more than putting in my information and grades. Even UCF makes applicants write an essay.
Posted by: Hi | September 26, 2009 at 09:29 AM
Beating FSU is beating FSU and I for one would like this to happen, even if they are a 1-2 team. It may not look great on a National Level, but from a recruiting stand point, it is HUGE!!!!
And beating a BCS/ACC, team gives more credibility to the Big East. Losing to them, will really hurt the Big East!
Posted by: Bulliever | September 15, 2009 at 03:44 PM
There's no big 3 anymore. It's big 1. And that's UF. This is coming from a USF fan. The past is the past on the field. I think it will be a good game, and I'm happy to make the trip to see it. This will actually be my first visit to the FSU stadium and I'm looking forward to it because I've heard great things. Just came back from the WKU and really enjoyed their facilities (although small). After only being WKU by 22 points, I was worried that we'd get crushed by FSU. Then I heard that FSU barely beat Jacksonville State, so my hopes are renewed. I'm sure FSU will be the big underdog coming into next week, but I hope for both teams' sake they pull out a win. A 1-2 FSU vs. a 3-0 (against scrubs) USF won't garner much national, let alone regional attention.
Posted by: LawBULL | September 15, 2009 at 03:09 PM
Bobby Bowden Head Coach - Miss Bates School.
Posted by: Walla Walla bing Bang | September 14, 2009 at 01:18 PM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_State
The history.
Posted by: LawNole | September 14, 2009 at 01:00 PM
USF isn't even close to FSU. USF is a tier 3 school and FSU tier 1. http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/national-top-public FSU is 48th... UF is 15th and Miami is a private university so it doesn't count in public university rankings. FSU is also the OLDEST center of higher education in all of Florida. We were the original University of Florida. UF branched off from FSU. Check the history if you don't believe me. Our tradition is the deepest. As far as football goes, I think you might want to actually win a conference championship first... compared to having two National Championships, 15 conference titles, 2 Heisman winners, 26 consensus All-Americans and a mascot that drive fear into the hearts of opponents... Nice fluffy "Rocky" mascot you have... Besides, how can you be taken seriously? University of South Florida...located in TAMPA. I consider that to be West Central Florida. You are awfully cocky for having a football team that has never won anything... in the BIG EAST of all places... BCS bottom feeders. You are above UCF, which isn't much of an accomplishment. You will never be part of the "Big 3" to make it into a "Big 4" until you win a National Championship.
Posted by: LawNole | September 14, 2009 at 12:49 PM
Not to rain too much on the gator parade, but gator fans are "up" right now and should celebrate while they can. All good things come to an end sooner or later. Just remember, as usual, FSU got there first. :D
And USF is still not even in the park with FSU, Miami and UF. The arrogance of some USF fans is amazing..."harder to get into USF" is really just dumb.
For example, FSU has a freshman SAT of 1265 now...what's USF's SAT? 1130?
Please...just play some football.
Posted by: GoNoles! | January 22, 2009 at 07:35 PM
When does the NCAA decide the penalties against FSU for academic fraud?
Posted by: ? | January 22, 2009 at 02:35 PM
There isn't a Big 3 in Florida anymore...The Gators are in a league by themselves...It's Big 1 and those other 2 has beens!
Posted by: Al | January 22, 2009 at 01:38 PM
USF is a directional school joke and a glorified junior college. How DID a junior college ever get a med school, anyway? Who was paid off?
Get back to work you usf grads - the fries are getting cold and the drive-thru is full. Where did you steal the computer anyway? Is Windows 3.1 really hot?
Sheesh.
Go 'Noles!!!
FSU - Florida's flagship university since 1851
Posted by: GoNoles! | January 22, 2009 at 01:15 PM
There really aren't any schools in Florida that are terribly impressive when it comes to academics. Arguing over which school has better programs is just a pillow-fight.
That said, I went to USF over FSU due to academics and getting into USF was slightly more difficult, a sentiment mirrored by most of the incoming freshmen I've talked to.
Posted by: Bulls? | January 14, 2009 at 10:58 PM
Annoyed - is that what they tell engineering majors at FSU? 'It doesn't matter that your degree will say FAMU, all that matters is that you graduate...'
At the very least, it matters that the school can get/stay accredited, which apparently FSU cannot do.
I am excited for this game, is there any reason for academics to be brought in? This sounds like we're playing UCF again. Who cares. FSU should be ranked when we play, we will be ranked after we play. That is all.
Posted by: Adam | January 09, 2009 at 10:36 PM
Annoyed,
So you got a biz degree from both schools ...must have graduated with a BS degree twice!
Oh, and repeating a biz degree better be easier the second time around!
Posted by: bulliever | January 09, 2009 at 07:47 PM
Yes USF has a better engineering program but that is about it, and with engineering it doesnt matter where you graduate from as long as you graduate.
Posted by: annoyed | January 09, 2009 at 05:31 PM
Please will you USF BULLcrap stop with this USF is on par with FSU in academics. I have a business degree from both schools and the one I received from USF was MUCH easier to obtain. Not to mention if you go to Oregon they KNOW of FSU, you tell them USF they probably think University of San Francisco! Please stop.............please stop...........usf is ok and cool but please stop about trying to put usf and FSU in the same league they are not!
Posted by: Annoyed | January 09, 2009 at 05:28 PM
Can't we all just get along...we all agree to hate UF, UM and laugh at UCF.
A lifetime nole fan, who graduated from USF. Go Bulls!
Posted by: kevin | January 09, 2009 at 11:07 AM
I cannot believe great news such as USF playing FSU this year could turn into such a pissing contest. Are ya'll seriously arguing over which school is better? I thought Noles fans had better class than that, remember, you are not Gator fans!
This is great for both colleges, FSU fans may think they have nothing to gain from playing USF but they can't really say that until they play us. USF will be able to play all of the Big 3 in the next 2 years and really establish themselves in the state of Florida.
Quit bragging about who is ranked where and get pumped up for this game!
Posted by: Amanda | January 08, 2009 at 10:37 PM
Word around campus is that Everette Brown announced his decision to enter the NFL once USF was added to the schedule.
Posted by: Nolebuddy loves You | January 08, 2009 at 02:06 PM
Oops...Just realized that my name was not posted on the last two comments...(gotta new computer...yeah)....
Posted by: Bulliever | January 08, 2009 at 12:26 PM
As Peyton Manning would say..."It's on like Donkey Kong"....
Posted by: | January 08, 2009 at 12:18 PM
WOW, for the second time this week, I have been picked on as it relates to my grammar...Hello people....This is a blog... and yep...1 w4s n0t an 3nglish major nor do I play one on tv....
This is not an essay contest, it is a blog, where people can freely express their opinions...
Come on people...lightened up, some of you guys are just way too serious! It's just a football game...
Anyway, USF tailgates better than FSU...
Posted by: | January 08, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Weak offensive-line? LOL
you usf dolts are going to be in for a RUDE awakening
Posted by: rEaLiTy | January 08, 2009 at 11:22 AM
All Florida schools suck. I just hope my school wins in football.
Posted by: cg | January 08, 2009 at 10:25 AM
Just throwing this out there because the academics debate has begun.
FSU's FAMU-FSU engineering adventure is no where near on par to USF's engineering program. Considering I went to school for engineering that's all that matters. I'm sure FSU has some programs that are better than USF's (College of Law). Just as USF has some that are better than FSU's (Engineering and Nursing).
However, this is about football. Academic rankings don't factor in. Enjoy the game. It should be fun.
Posted by: Brian | January 08, 2009 at 09:52 AM
http://usfweb3.usf.edu/absolutenm/templates/?a=1004&z=31
Posted by: Al | January 08, 2009 at 09:38 AM
Amanda I am with you!!!! I can relate. I grew up an FSU fan and graduated a USF fan for life!!!!
Posted by: 702JV | January 08, 2009 at 12:09 AM
USF may or may not win the game, but one thing's for certain: Selvie, Bedford, Stirrups and the rest of the guys on the D-Line will have a feast against FSU's weak offensive line. I predict at least 4 sacks by the end of the first half.
Posted by: | January 07, 2009 at 11:18 PM
"Anyway, it is gonna be a fun game...I truely hope the fans in Tally have more class than those on this blog!"
Safe to assume that you were probably an English major at usf!
Posted by: The Grader | January 07, 2009 at 11:12 PM
Why are these FSU fans so angry? If we are so insignificant, should this really matter?
Someone earlier asked if we were even a college....talk about ignorant...USF is a university with many colleges...I hope that answers the question!
Anyway, it is gonna be a fun game...I truely hope the fans in Tally have more class than those on this blog!
Posted by: bulliever | January 07, 2009 at 10:44 PM
I predict it is going to be a hell of a game. FSU is coming back, and USF is coming up, and both Matt and George have something to show during their senior years. We'll be there.
Do I need to get a hotel/motel reservation now? Can I? I know you reasonable sounding FSU fans are a travel agency, but I'd appreciate any recommendations.
Posted by: Ken | January 07, 2009 at 10:28 PM
I was born and raised a Seminole but chose USF for academics and Tampa. Now I am a die hard Bull alum. This will be a tough one.
GO BULLS!!!...I will be at the game with my family full of FSU and two USF alums.
Posted by: busf | January 07, 2009 at 08:34 PM
LIKE OMG I worked with a guy who said USF was hard so obviously that one person speaks for every student past, present and future and since he got an A on his organic chemistry test and my buddy's girlfriend's cousin got an A- it means USF is superior to FSU!!!!! Isn't this logic great?
Idiots.
And to the guy who said this lone schedule addition is what legitimizes the program, more than bowl appearances, what a tard. FIU plays Miami every so often - does that legitimize them? LOL
Posted by: Reality | January 07, 2009 at 07:44 PM
I know of 4 people that were deferred from USF THIS YEAR and got into FSU (one for summer term). The gap is closing in all aspects.
Posted by: Michael | January 07, 2009 at 06:52 PM
Jesus Christ Chalko! What the hell is your major malfunction? Where does all of the negativity for USF stem from? Every time news is posted about USF you pounce on it with your negativity. Have anyone read the blogs on USF and there is good ol Chalko taking time out of his day to trash USF. All USF students, alumni and fans love you Chalko, its ok.
Posted by: Dave | January 07, 2009 at 06:32 PM
Jesus Christ Chalko! What the hell is your major malfunction? Where does all of the negativity for USF stem from? Every time news is posted about USF you pounce on it with your negativity. Have anyone read the blogs on USF and there is good ol Chalko taking time out of his day to trash USF. All USF students, alumni and fans love you Chalko, its ok.
Posted by: Dave | January 07, 2009 at 06:32 PM
Its a home and home. No one is demanding a rivalry. USF and its fans just want a shot or two at FSU, thats it. Hopefully USf both times and we don't have to play again. I don't think it will become a 'rivalry' the way you are afraid of...
Posted by: cg | January 07, 2009 at 06:32 PM
Chalko the post did not mention UCF! Nobody wants to play those losers!
Posted by: Rob | January 07, 2009 at 06:31 PM
Remember, Bulls fans, we've played Auburn and UAB, so FSU won't be the first Alabama college we've beaten.
Posted by: g-man | January 07, 2009 at 06:25 PM
Chalko, you are STILL here?
Posted by: Tom | January 07, 2009 at 06:16 PM
Wow!!! The maturity and intelligence of the USF students and Alum are really on display here. Have fun going to Tallahassee to get drunk, that's really all you idiots are good for anyway. FSU will show you how real college football fans act. Hopefully you will be able to learn from it.
Posted by: Chalko | January 07, 2009 at 06:05 PM
FSU has developed it's academic programs since 1851! USF was established in 1956! So FSU got a headstart. It's not hard to get accepted to FSU. Please. I got in easily.
Posted by: Tom | January 07, 2009 at 05:34 PM
I got into USF with an above average GPA and a mediocre SAT. I had to increase my SAT and rock out my ACT in order to even be considered by FSU. Honestly... by your comment showing you got your MBA from any Florida school proves to me that a) that is sufficient for your field / industry b) you were unable to get into a Top 10. I happy that I got my undergrad at FSU but I will not be staying instate for my MBA. I want more for myself as so should you. Our MBA programs are all mediocre to say the least.
Regardless.. come up, drink with us, party. We are still a pretty cool fan base in general and we tend to do pretty big things on game weekends... we just aren't amped about this game like you guys are.
Posted by: Chris - final post | January 07, 2009 at 05:24 PM
I couldn't have said it better, USF is a bunch of idiots with no village in Florida, that's why they keep trying to bottom feed off the real big 3!! Go Canes!
Posted by: Support rEaLiTy | January 07, 2009 at 05:23 PM
with a bunch of drunks and whores
Posted by: fsu is crap | January 07, 2009 at 05:22 PM
Hey D. Weber is 49.6% really that much different than the 55.1% acceptance rate of FSU? I think not, USF is for bums they'll let anyone in over there, just drive by it and see for yourself!
http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/college/national-search/page+8
Posted by: Deal with it | January 07, 2009 at 05:20 PM