Posted by  Larry Goodman, Temple Terrace on 10/02  at  05:11 PM

Actually, USF is No. 6 in the ‘score weighted’ category, which is used to help determine betting lines. The No. 3 rating, the “ELO-CHESS” which the BCS uses is “unweighted” and doesn’t take a runaway score into consideration. LSU and South Carolina are No. 1 and 2,with USF at 3.
The important BCS weight will be that USF has knocked off a top-20 and a top-10 team, which, I believe, you get 1 full point (equal to a loss) for each one. So, hope that either Cincinnati or Rutgers or both will be in the top 20 when we play them.
It’s looking good, folks, real good!

Posted by  Marc, Tampa on 10/02  at  10:24 AM

Vince,

You think USF needs to improve significantly on the D side ?
Pass me the bowl dude.
Yes, O and ST’s need to show improvements in areas, but D is one of the best in the country. Those yards Fri were mostly 2nd half garbage stats as USF was protecting a three score lead.
Stats mean zip this early in season....case-in-point Rutgers. Top 5 D based on yardage....oh yes,yardage against cup cakes Buffalo, Navy and Norfolk St.
Don’t sweat this D my man....enjoy it cause we lose several of them next year.

Posted by  Jon McKee, Sarasota on 10/01  at  05:52 PM

I’m as excited about whats going on as anyone. I have season tickets, am a grad and have been following the program all along. But, there’s always a but, are the Bulls really worthy of #6? It scares me to think that our kids will start buying into all this hoopla, headline reading and heads start to swell. Statiscally the Bulls aren’t in the top 25 in any category.  Our defense does make plays, but doesn’t shut down. The offense makes plays too, but rarely runs the score up or can keep it going for more than a quarter. Our special teams, well the kick coverage has been good, but every team we have played has better kickers. My point is there’s lots of improvement needed or all we will be competing for is a 3rd teir bowl game.

Posted by  Vince Wicinski, Land O Lakes on 10/01  at  04:56 PM

I am just as excited as everybody else, but I think USF needs to improve significantly on both sides of the ball and on special teams. The offense has been effective enough to win to date but I question the play calling and the under utilization of Ford and Williams. I think we need to run more effectively so we don’t have to rely soley on the passing game. And as good as the defense played against WVU, they still gave up 470 yards of offense. USF stopped them when we needed to, but if the D continues to give up that kind of yardage, we will lose a few games because of it. Delgado is still missing some fairly easy kicks. We need to improve if USF wants to contend for the Big East title and possibly beyond.

Posted by  Archer J. Crosley, Temple Terrace on 10/01  at  02:16 PM

This is totally un-bull-lieve-able.
#6 GO BULLS

Now the responsibility falls on the community. When you are ranked in the TOP 10, Sell-outs are a must for home games. Need to fill the stadium here on out for the remaining home games.

The game on Friday was nothing put positive from the ESPN2 announcers. USF and the community were the big winners on the Friday telecast.

Remember… we must sell-out all the remaining home games if we are a true top 10 team.

Posted by  Chuck Hill, St. Petersburg on 10/01  at  09:25 AM

Class of ‘72. Waited 25 years for a football team .

September 1, I would have taken a finish in the top twenty and a better bowl invitation. This is beyond any dream, but…

See how far you can fall in a week. There are four wins, plus one with Elon, make it three.

WVU? Two plays were all needed to tie.

Point? For sure enjoy this ride. Realize there are five or six teams that can knock off our BULLS. We have to stay focused, control the energy of the team and coach. Live in the moment. This week #6 is great, but only a number until the end of the Pittsburg game!

YOU GO BULLS!!

Florida Atlantic is not planning to give up or lose. They must be beaten and at home.

Good work BULLS. Keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.

Posted by  jeffrey Saff, annapolis, Maryland on 10/01  at  07:18 AM

Maybe we went from not enough to too much respect.

However, using maybe imperfect logic, we beat Auburn @ Auburn, then Auburn smokes the Gator @ The Swamp. 

Let UCF talk smack, they have an excellent team.

I would rather beat an excellent UCF team.  I do agree that the one hour trip back to Orlando will actually take three hours as they convoy back on their farming equipment and mopeds.  USF will kick their “tuchus” (sp?).

Wait, wait, first we must beat a good FAU club on the road.  If they look past that game, USF will lose!

Posted by  Brian Johnston, Clearwater on 10/01  at  12:53 AM

What do you mean you cannot believe what you just typed?  Everyone better start believing, because the Bulls are for real!

Posted by  Matthew Cox, Sarasota, FL on 10/01  at  12:46 AM

out-freaking-standing...on SI.com, Stewart Mandel posted a link to his most recent ballot, where he had the Bulls at 4

And Jeremy’s right...USF is no Texas - that’s why the Bulls will beat UCF by much more than 3 points.

GOT RANKED? (we do!)

Posted by  Stephen Blackehart, Pasadena, CA on 10/01  at  12:30 AM

I’m so proud of my Bulls!!
The new motto expresses it best: FINISH STRONG!

If this year proves anything though, it’s that everyone’s vulnerable...the Davids are beating the Goliaths regularly.  If App State can beat Michigan, we’d better watch our backs, even against FAU, UCF & Syracuse. Everyone’s going to be trying to knock us off our newfound perch.

FINISH STRONG!

Posted by  David Nicholson, Yarmouth, NS, Canada on 09/30  at  11:14 PM

UNBELIEVABLE!  This is so good for all of us USF Bulls’ fans, everywhere.  To be #6 makes it all worthwhile and real.  Congrats to all the coaches, players and fans.  ONWARD!!!!!!!!

David Nicholson, Class of ‘65

Posted by  Dale Rodenmeyer, Plant City,FL on 09/30  at  10:40 PM

UCF Jeremy....read your comment and agree with you. USF is no Texas. If they were, they would be ranked 19th not 6th! Bring it!

Posted by  Dave Zeien, Lake Tahoe Nevada on 09/30  at  09:15 PM

#6 in the country and #1 our hearts. 67 thousand fans letting our team know they are 100% behind them and hundreds of thousands of alumni cheering from everywhere. GO BULLS!!! You guy’s made them experience “THE BULL PEN” and UCF will find out too. Mess with our BULLS and get the horns. Dare we say do it again?
YES!

Posted by  Ryan Kelly, Tampa on 09/30  at  09:14 PM

What a great time to be a Bull!  Let’s keep it going and fill the house for UCF!

Posted by  Eric Droz, Puerto Rico on 09/30  at  08:23 PM

INCREDIBLE!!! I’m loving every minute of it.
Class 1996

Posted by  Marc Ballard, Tampa on 09/30  at  07:52 PM

To Jeremy in Orlando…

That Conf USA schd got you all pumped up ?..... and an almost win against a VERY over-rated Texas has you ranked where ?
Maybe if they had a top 50 poll we might find UCF there.
You are a very improved team, but you have not faced a D like the BUlls.
At least your drive home is only 1 hr.

Posted by  David Ross, Douglasville, GA on 09/30  at  07:51 PM

R-E-S-P-E-C-T That is what the polls are indicating. The polls won’t deliver greatness. That comes from performance on the field. The Bulls defense showed that greatness on primetime TV and I think the offense is ready to explode, too. The respect that is coming from all quarters now is being translated into the recognition this great school deserves. Ditto for Cindy’s message about Bull Gear (even at the campus gift shop after I stopped there last year during a visit it was slim pickin’s). GO BULLS !
Class of 1985

Posted by  Tim White, Tucson, AZ on 09/30  at  07:33 PM

Hey Jeremy Agraz, what are you smoking? UCF won’t be able to keep up with the Bulls no matter where they play. If USF keeps their heads on straight and plays disciplined ball, they could run the table.  Cincy at home, Rutgers on the road could be tough ones, but they could be 10-2, or even 11-1.

I too am a USF alumnus B.F. (Before Football, class of ‘82)and I’m proud as could be of my alma mater. Vamos los Toros!

- Bulls fan in the desert

Posted by  Marc Ballard, Tampa on 09/30  at  07:27 PM

Are f**kin kidding me....never in my wildest...GO BULLS !!!

Posted by  George Silva, Anaheim, CA on 09/30  at  07:19 PM

GO BULLS!!!! WE ARE NO. 6.  Congratulations… Bring on UCF, they don’t have a chance.  Did you see what we just did to West Virginia??  I am a proud member of the USF ALUMNI, Class of 03.  GO BULLS!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by  cindy sampson, tampa on 09/30  at  06:56 PM

I just returned from Dick’s Sporting Goods in Brandon and there were racks of Gator, Seminole and even Miami clothes as well as chairs, coolers, etc.  Where was all the BULLS stuff? Win or not, this is Tampa, home of the Bulls and the University of South Florida.  Retailers need to support this teams too!  Come on Tampa Bay Area, support the BULLS!

Posted by  Chuck, Lutz on 09/30  at  05:31 PM

The Bulls are playing great and deserve the #6 ranking but I can’t help but be nervous about our kicking game! After what happened against Auburn and then to start out the game Friday night against the hillbilly’s missing the 1st field goal I can only hope we don’t have to count on Alvarado to come in with the game on the line and make the kick.....
Go Bulls!!!!!

Posted by  Steven Krentz, Weehawken, NJ on 09/30  at  05:05 PM

I’m a USF 98 grad and was one of about 20 students to run the very first football to the very first USF game against Kentucky Weslyan.  At the time I hoped USF would one day be able to compete for the Division IAA (now known as the Sub Division) championship title.... Never in my wildest dreams did I thinkjust 10 years down the road the Bulls would have an outside shot at a Division IA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!

GO BULLS!!!

Posted by  Jay Germano, Kansas City on 09/30  at  05:03 PM

I love the Bulls and am a lifetime USF amumni association member...but #6 in the nation?  Jeez, the polls are setting USF up for a possible BCS Championship game appearance if we can run the table...as incredible as that seems.

Just speechless when I saw the ranking come out.

S-O-UTH, F-L-O-R-I-D-A, South Florida, South Florida, Go Bulls Go.

Posted by  Brett McMurphy,  on 09/30  at  04:42 PM

Greg, it’s really the same for me, except a lot of folks around town are a lot more interested in what we’re writing about USF now. As evidenced by at least 6 or 7 front page stories last week in the Tribune. Also, a lot more radio hosts are interested about USF. Before last week’s game with West Virginia, I did 10 radio shows, including two in Miami, two in West Virginia and one in Nashville.