Por (john nelson) on October 07, 2007 (Suggest removal)

Funny that BC jumped us because if you look at their schedule all the teams they have beaten have 2 or more losses, they haven’t beaten a team currently ranked and they beat IAA Umass at home last week by 10! Now we are in the dreaded #5 slot…

Por (Stephen Heisler) on October 07, 2007 (Suggest removal)

Nothing to cry about…USF at #5 is not bad at this point in the season.

The way things have been going, LSU is going to have to beat the Gators again if they want to make it to the BCS Championship game. USF has the easiest route to that game if they run the table.  I do not see anyone else doing it, other then maybe LSU. Relax Bulls fans, this is as almost as good as it can get. The fact that we can even THINK about our Bulls in this position was beyond my wildest dreams for this season.

Por (Jaime Garcia) on October 07, 2007 (Suggest removal)

Just watched the Cincinnati-Rutgers game and I was very impressed with both teams. If USF continues to turn the ball over (10) last two games we will not prevail.

Por (James Gaddis) on October 07, 2007 (Suggest removal)

Can anyone explain this?  Check the Sagarin ratings by conference.  WVU is listed as 4th and USF is listed as 9th.  That alone is not that big a deal, but check the comparison: 

Record:
WVU 5 - 1
USF 5 - 0
————————
Schedule Rank:
WVU = 46th
USF = 32nd
————————
vs Top 10
WVU 0 and 1
USF 1 and 0
————————
vs Top 30
WVU 0 and 1
USF 2 and 0
————————

Despite USF being better in all those categories, WVU is rated higher (88.58) than USF (86.77). 

Which part of the Sagarin equation could USF possibly be losing out to WVU?  It obviously isn’t strength of schedule, quality wins, or win loss percentage (see above)!

I know it isn’t all that important since USF will win out, but I’m just curious.

Por (Chuck Wagner) on October 07, 2007 (Suggest removal)

Look at the ELO CHESS ranking in the Sagarin rankings and you will see USF as #2 and WVU at #12.  This is the ranking that the BCS Championship uses and not the PREDITOR ranking.

Por (Marc Ballard) on October 07, 2007 (Suggest removal)

I have to agree with Jaime. Sat’s game was the most difficult game I’ve ever watched. It was painful to watch them run down our throats. But, I believe our D will be fine. I am troubled by our sudden lack of a downfield pass game and offensive turnovers. Grothe will fix the int issues, but what’s with the fumble-itis by our RB’s ?
We can’t do it against Rutgers or Cinn or we will pay.
Hard to complain too much being at #5 though
Looking forward to stomping UCF.

Por (Kurt Thoreson) on October 07, 2007 (Suggest removal)

That scare by FAU may have been what they needed to bring em’ back down to earth.  They are the hunted now.  #5 has been an unlucky number recently in college football.  W. Virginia lost when they were 5, and Wisconsin did too.  I hope they get it goin, cause its only gonna get harder.

Por (Dave Zeien) on October 08, 2007 (Suggest removal)

GO BULLS!! out here the USC and Cal fans were talking we wouldn’t last long being rated #6. They were right! #5 is not #6 and now they are talking more about our Bulls. These west coast fans are paying attention to USF. I wonder why? I think they have to consider meeting us somewhere down the road here.
Anyway when I wear my USF sweats I get alot of comments. None bad. They just know there is a team in Tampa that they are NOT taking lightly. RESPECT for my Bulls our here makes a former alumni REALLY PROUD!!!!

Por (wayne jacobus) on October 08, 2007 (Suggest removal)

Brett,

I haven’t seen why Mike Ford didn’t play this week. Also how is Taylor’s injury.

Thanks,
Wayne

Por (Brett McMurphy) on October 08, 2007 (Suggest removal)

Wayne, it was in our game notes in Sunday’s paper and also online. The headline was about George Selvie setting sack record. Here’s the info. FORD SITS OUT: USF freshman RB Mike Ford was benched Saturday for missing classes this week, Leavitt said.
“Missed some classes here and there,” Leavitt said. ‘Some things like that. He’ll be back in there ready to go next week. We need Mike on the field. We need to have him do all the right things. He needs to be part of our offense.”
Also, Taylor had an ankle sprain and Leavitt said he would be ready for Saturday’s game with UCF.

Por (Susan Harrison) on October 08, 2007 (Suggest removal)

Brett/All:

Ford being benched is just a bit more proof that Coach and the program are serious about the education of the players, and that it is not only about ‘the game’.

Brett ~ thanks for the continued great coverage and insights.

Por (Brett McMurphy) on October 08, 2007 (Suggest removal)

Thanks Susan, I really appreciate it.

Por (Vince Wicinski) on October 08, 2007 (Suggest removal)

Marc,
I think FAU and WVU challenged USF to beat them with the run.  I think they are dropping 7-8 guys back in coverage and making us run.  We haven’t run the ball much this year and we probably appear a bit one dimensional.  I think we need to run the ball more and if we do that effectively, that will open up the pass again.  I hope to see a lot of Ford and Williams this week.