Bulls Earn No. 23 Ranking

Posted Oct 4, 2009 by Joey Johnston

Updated Oct 4, 2009 at 08:11 PM

TAMPA – The University of South Florida Bulls, who rose to 5-0 after a 34-20 victory at Syracuse, made their debut in this season’s national top 25 on Sunday. USF was No. 23 in the Associated Press poll and No. 24 in the USA Today (coaches) poll.

The official reaction?

It doesn’t matter. Not yet, anyway.

“That’s neither here nor there,’’ said USF safety Nate Allen, who had two interceptions against Syracuse and was honored as the Walter Camp Football Foundation’s national defensive player of the week. “We can’t think about it. In the past, we have gotten ranked and it has got to us. We know in order to win the Big East, we need to be focused on every game.’’

No question where the focus is now.

USF (5-0), idle this week, is preparing for the Big East’s mega-matchup, an ESPN-televised date with No. 8-ranked Cincinnati (5-0) on Thursday night, Oct. 15 at Raymond James Stadium.

The opportunity is reminiscent of 2007, when the unbeaten Bulls defeated unbeaten and No. 5-ranked West Virginia in a Friday night ESPN telecast, a Big East showcase game witnessed by the nation’s fans, many of whom discovered USF football for the first time. The Bulls parlayed that upset of the Mountaineers, plus an earlier win at Auburn, into the nation’s No. 2 ranking.

“It’s probably a good analogy, it’s lining up the same way with another powerful Big East team coming to our stadium,’’ USF athletic director Doug Woolard said. “It’s important to have games like these for our fans. They really deserve something like this. Traditionally, the Tampa Bay area really responds to an event like this. I know our players and coaches are looking forward to it.’’

That’s an understatement.

Less than an hour after disposing of Syracuse, USF coach Jim Leavitt made it clear the preparation for Cincinnati had begun.

“Cincinnati should be ranked in the top five,’’ Leavitt said of the Bearcats, who, at No. 8, already have the highest ranking in school history. “They are that good. Their quarterback (Tony Pike) is ridiculous, as good as there is out there.

“I think our guys will emotionally be ready. I think we’ll play hard and I think we’ll play well.’’

USF’s defense has established itself as an unforgiving, ball-hawking unit with 16 forced turnovers. The offense has played with stability. Redshirt freshman quarterback B.J. Daniels, who has engineered two road victories, will get his first start at home against the Bearcats.

“We have never been worried about B.J. because we’ve seen him work all the way back to spring practice,’’ Bulls wide receiver Carlton Mitchell said. “I think we’re as ready as we’ll ever be. We’re excited. We’re pumped. How can you not love playing in a game like this? This is for the Big East.’’

Actually, even with a meeting of the league’s only two unbeaten teams, it’s a bit early to gauge the conference’s direction. Two schools – Connecticut and West Virginia – don’t have their first Big East games until Saturday.

But the league has a 23-7 record against non-conference opponents, including a 2-0 mark against the Big 12 and 2-2 against the ACC.

“People don’t have a clue about the Big East,’’ Leavitt said. “I think the Big East is awesome, as powerful as there is. You’ve got to compete every week.’’

Ten more days, and USF can display its early season muscle to the nation. Rankings don’t matter there. It’s USF’s opportunity to make a statement.

“We can’t wait,’’ Mitchell said.