MORE
Most Recent Entries
- USF win not in the Cards
- WR Johnson will play in Shrine game
- USF vs. FSU: It may happen this fall
- By George, Selvie will return for senior season
- USF vs. FSU: It WILL happen this fall (and in 2012)
- UConn KO's Bulls, 83-37
- Spring game April 18
- Ho-hum, another ranked team on tap
- Biggest. Game. Ever.
- Yes Utah fan, I got your E-mail
- Givands no longer with women's hoops; Softball gets Georgia transfer
- Bulls come close, but can't catch Cuse
- Former Buckeye G transferring to USF
- In bold: David Strickland
- Bulls host the Cuse tonight
Monthly Archives
Forum: Talk Bulls
|
Here’s my follow story that will appear in Saturday’s Tribune. I appreciate all the comments and responses in the blog, but with a rare Saturday off, I will not be super-glued to the computer for the next couple of days.
So please feel free to comment, respond, vent, etc. and I’ll answer any questions you have in the next few days. I will be back Sunday morning to post my AP ballot for this week. Have a great weekend.
---
Whether it’s the added attention or the heightened expectations, the Bulls have not handled the bulls-eye of a ranked team very well.
The No. 10 Bulls were upset by Pittsburgh 26-21 Thursday, marking the Bulls’ fifth loss in 14 games when they’ve been nationally ranked in the past two seasons.
And in each loss, USF was favored to win, but didn’t. Against I-A opponents, USF is 8-5 in games when it is nationally ranked.
The Bulls have been super in the role of an underdog under Coach Jim Leavitt, when they’re viewed as overachievers, but not as successful when they are supposed to win and often - as documented this season - play up or down to their competition.
Now the Bulls (5-1, 0-1 Big East) have 16 days before playing Syracuse Oct. 18 to correct the plethora of mistakes – offense, defense, special teams and coaching – from losing to the two-TD underdog Panthers (4-1, 2-0).
“It’s hard to go undefeated in college football,” said USF QB Matt Grothe, who was limited to a season-low 129 yards passing. “It’s just one game. We have a bye week, a chance to get straight on some things.”
The Bulls also need to “get straight” on defense and special teams, which failed on a faked field goal, had a field goal blocked for the third time this season and had a kickoff dribble out of bounds setting up Pitt’s winning TD drive.
“Defensively we didn’t play very good, offensively we didn’t play very good and special teams were not very good,” Leavitt said.
Defensive coordinator Wally Burnham’s frustration showed on Pitt’s first TD – a 52-yard pass.
“The corner thought we were playing one [coverage] and the safety thought we were playing another,” Burnham said. “And it’s becoming an epidemic every week. It’s the same thing.”
WHAT WENT RIGHT: OK, give me a minute. With two weeks until Syracuse, the Bulls should be able to get DE George Selvie, NTs Terrell McClain and Sampson Genus healthy.
WHAT WENT WRONG: In USF’s first four games, the Bulls allowed 9.7 yards per completion. In the last two games, USF has allowed 18 yards a completion. … Of McCoy’s 142 yards rushing, 101 were gained on runs between the tackles. … The Bulls, who were 16th in the nation in time of possession (32:07), had the ball for only 23:06.
Posted by Chris, Florida on 10/06 at 09:24 PM
James...Calling you a hypocrite would be..well..redundant. As for location last time i checked Florida WAS a location....or do they teach something different where you went to school..assuming of course you did?? Talk about a fight with an unarmed opponent..lol. Man!
Mark....1.UF,2.,FSU,3.,UM,4.USF,5.UCF,6.FIU,7.FAU.
I would rank them 4th talent-wise behind the Big 3, and i would rank them 5th in coaching as it was obvious Leavitt was out coached in the FIU game.
Brian...No Way,No How USF runs the table...if they are LUCKY..they lose only 2 more. A for videos games...i don’t play them and you apparently do being the expert which i believe was exactly my point..thanks!!
Tom Sabol...Not a chance..it’s too easy and too much fun here
Posted by Simon Royer, Jax on 10/06 at 12:20 PM
How about we just get a real offensive coordinator instead of one that is just offensive? Everytime he put Grothe in the backfield alone with no one to block for him Pitt blitzed and we never had time to let a play develope. It happened over and over again the entire game. It would be nice if someone on our offensive coaching staff would have adjusted for it. We have the talent on offense, now we just need someone able to formulate a game plan.
Posted by Richard Todd, Mims,Fl on 10/05 at 09:51 AM
For all you folks out there that ask about Mike Ford you have to remember that a high ankle sprain doesn’t just go away. It hangs in there for weeks. With a week off and more time you will see more and more of Mike but these kind of injuries can take you out for a season by not letting them heal. You don’t want Mike at 50% for the whole season so rest is critical for a final run for the last half of the season.
Posted by Brandon, Tampa on 10/05 at 07:06 AM
Tom,
As of right now, I’m pretty sure that our recruiting class for next year is in the top 15 or 20. Hopefully we can start getting some players thats are 4 or 5 star out of different states instead of sticking with the Florida homegrown. We will be at the top one day for good, but just enjoy the ride for now. We still have a good shot at getting in a BCS game because all of these top 10 teams have to player each other sooner or later!!! GO BULLS!!!!!!!
Posted by jeffrey saff, annapolis, md on 10/05 at 05:32 AM
College football in a nutshell-MD 0 UVA 31
KU, UCF and FIU (again!) won.
While I d/n have blind faith, bloggers cannot have it both ways, USF d/n deserve to be put in a “no win” situation. It is unfair to not to give them credit for beating the teams that they are supposed to beat. IF usf smokes SU (or wins ugly), give them the credit they deserve.
PITT is a Top 25 team. They destroyed WVU’s championship hopes (@WVU) late last year. Whereas, UF lost at home to MISS (not a Top 50 team), then lambasted a horrible Razor back team.
Wait and see.
Posted by Tom Sabol, Tampa on 10/04 at 11:15 PM
Mark, I have disagreed with you in the past but you are absolutely right. USF has never had a recruiting class higher than 30th that I can recall. They are routinely doing more with less. Hopefully that continues to change for the better going forward. Go Bulls!
Go Away, Chris!
Posted by Brian, Tampa on 10/04 at 09:17 PM
I don’t see why everybody is so down on our Bulls now. Atleast we lost early in the season and can redeem ourselves for the rest of the season. Have most of you forgot that the National Champs where a 2 loss team last year?? We can still run the table and win the Big East!! Wally just needs to replace the infamous #6 Roberts so our defense can get off the field and our offense can get in a rhythm. UF fan’s stay on your own site and slob on your team there. Chris maybe you should compare college football to NCAA 09 instead of an NFL video game you tard!!!!
Posted by Mark, Lutz on 10/04 at 03:48 PM
Chris,
Name me your top teams in FL?
If you think Florida has the best coaching you’re wrong!!!!
They have the best talent of course, but not the best coaching. Urban Meyer is WAY over-rated but his talent makes up for it. USF has the 3rd best talent no questions about that, but they do have the best coaching by far.
Posted by James, tampa on 10/03 at 11:10 PM
Chris,
You hide behind your little sticky keyboard and monitor. Try putting your real full name and location on your posts. You won’t because you are a little weasel!!!
Posted by Chris, Florida on 10/03 at 02:26 PM
Oh and Brett if you have you USF ranked anywhere close to the Top 20 you should have your vote revoked!! Typo on the previous post “stivk” was supposed to be “stick with”.
Posted by Chris, Florida on 10/03 at 02:22 PM
Mark....are you “Lost in Lutz”??? 3rd best talent and best coaching in Fla?? Go back to sticking your head in the sand and sticvk fantasy football or Madden 09 or whatever you spend your time doing other than watching college football.
Posted by Mark, Lutz, FL on 10/03 at 01:01 PM
I’m trying to figure out Bud in Valrico with his negative comments about the Bulls. I agree the Bulls didn’t play well last night, but they are a good team. They probably have the 3rd best talent but on top in coaching in Florida. They can beat ANYONE when on top of their game with more talent coming. How about come back on here when you can finally say something good about the Bulls. And if its never, good riddance to you.
Posted by terrell swagger, home on 10/03 at 11:16 AM
I am disappointed with the lack of carries that Mike Ford is getting. They waited til the 4th quarter to turn him lose. What is that about? Do they not make adjustments at the line..... I saw the safeties blitzing but the receivers never shortened their routes or adjusted to the man coverage. They are to inconsistant with tackling as well… and i wont even the db #6… I am just shaking my head.
Posted by bud, valrico on 10/03 at 10:41 AM
AHEM… Usf is a decent team… that deserves a pre new year bowl game, nothing special… They barely won their 5 games this year, and finally it caught up too them… hopefully they arent ranked in the top 20 anymore.
Advertisement
Send Us Your Comments |
Terms & Conditions |
* Comments Must Include Full Name And Location
Posted by Cindy Enlow, Lakeland, FL on 10/10 at 05:48 PM
Auburn fired their offensive coordinator this week-why can’t USF? Auburn is doing better than we are,but still can recognize lack of leadership.
Why can’t Coach Leavitt see that his “offensive coordinator/QB coach” is ineffective. USF likely has the best team that they have ever put on the field, but Grothe has not progressed since freshman year and we have only about 3 plays in our playbook. It is not fair to the USF players to not reach their potential because they are not getting the coaching that they deserve!