This week's Sporting News ranks all the Division I-A football teams from 120 to 1, and as fans wait for other summer countdowns to get high enough to rank the Bulls, USF turns up No. 32 in TSN's rankings.
The magazine quotes Pitt defensive end Greg Romeus as saying "USF, like the entire Big East, is underrated but will prove themselves this year." USF is the second-highest team in the Big East, trailing only Pittsburgh at No. 28. The Bulls are followed by West Virginia (39), Rutgers (43), Cincinnati (46), Connecticut (58), Louisville (73) and ... Syracuse at 106.
Other teams on USF's schedule? Florida State is No. 17, Miami is No. 30 and yes, Western Kentucky is No. 120. Other state teams include Central Florida (83), Florida Atlantic (85) and Florida International (115). TSN's online rankings only go up to the 60s so far ...
-- I don't know that I necessarily look to Missouri for Big East insights, but the Columbia Daily Tribune's Dave Matter makes his Big East predictions, and has USF finishing fifth. He has West Virginia winning, and I think the media preseason poll will go the same way, just because they're a consistent winner in a jumbled mass at the top of the league. He names USF's George Selvie as his Big East defensive MVP.
Times sportswriter Greg Auman, who covers USF, will post news and thoughts on the Bulletin and we invite your participation in the comments area.
Man, the BE is just gonna be another jumbled mess this year, unfortunately. It's anybodys guess who's going to win it. I just hope USF finds a way to come out on top this year.
Posted by: WouldYouKindly | July 06, 2009 at 12:54 PM
Go Bulls!
Posted by: Commish Chalko | July 06, 2009 at 10:42 AM
I like the 32 ranking. It lets the Bulls sniff the upper echelon but not to be considered part of it. That means they have to come out ablazin' to move on up the chart instead of trying to hang on to the top ten position they fell into the past 2 seasons. Can't wait for the 26th against the Criminoles!
Posted by: politically incorrect | July 05, 2009 at 04:42 PM
Polls are for strippers, and definitely not for USF Football, as we have shown in the past. As soon as we get ranked, it's choke time. I guess this is the kiss of the Death for the 2009 USF Football season.
Posted by: Steve | July 04, 2009 at 12:25 PM
32 is a fair ranking for USF in the preseason. What I don't get is the Big East not having 1 Top 25 team. That seems pretty ridculous.
Posted by: DELdaBULL | July 04, 2009 at 08:21 AM
never would know that syracuse has beaten l'ville the past two years.
Posted by: joe | July 03, 2009 at 08:04 PM
Where's Chelko when you need him... UCF 80 something....
Posted by: Dres | July 03, 2009 at 03:46 PM
Our ranking seems about right for pre-season, but I'm surprised to see WVU in 3rd place on the BE.
Posted by: Ken | July 03, 2009 at 02:37 PM
Will pass, Ari. Thanks for the in-house cross-promotion tho ...
Posted by: G.A. | July 03, 2009 at 02:20 PM
You Greg -
You going to see Amy Fisher tonight? SP Times has a great write up.
Only in Tampa, Only in Tampa.
http://www.tampabay.com/features/events/article1015041.ece
Posted by: Ari Hinkelberger | July 03, 2009 at 01:39 PM