Updated: Looking into the future

Posted Sep 13, 2006 by Brett McMurphy

Updated Sep 16, 2006 at 10:24 AM

Despite what some may want to believe Wednesday’s article on the USF-UCF series likely ending in 2008 was not based on speculation, but USF’s actual proposed future schedules acquired from USF with a public records search.

Here is a copy of the proposed schedules if you must see it to believe it.

Should USF play home-and-home series with Buffalo, Western Kentucky and Ball State? That’s for USF’s athletic officials, coaches and fans to determine. And yes, they are in discussions with those schools - and do not have signed deals. But they are listed right there on USF’s proposed future schedules: home vs. Buffalo in 2011 and at Buffalo in 2012, Western Kentucky home in 2011 and at WKU in 2012 and Ball State home in 2009 and at Ball State in 2010. If you want to book your flights early and need the game dates, let me know.

USF has done a great job scheduling home-and-home series with UNC, N.C. State, Indiana, Michigan State, Kansas and Miami. I also really do understand USF playing a Division I-AA home game every year. It’s a very real necessity to help guarantee a six-win season and bowl berth.

However, it doesn’t make sense to schedule home-and-homes with Mid-American and Sun Belt teams when UCF appears the more attractive matchup for the fans and players - and, more importantly, from a budget standpoint. Based on my conversations with USF AD Doug Woolard and USF’s proposed schedules, the Bulls’ scheduling formula starting in the 2008 season and beyond is this for the 5 nonconference games: 1 home and 1 away vs. BCS teams, 1 Division I-AA home game and 2 non-BCS teams.

If you’re going to play two non-BCS teams every year, UCF would seem a likely choice for one of those spots. Do you agree or would you rather USF not play UCF?

Until they have signed contracts, USF’s future opponents can change. But as of two weeks ago, here was USF’s proposed nonconference future schedules. One other note: the USF at Florida game in 2011 could be moved back to 2014 to open a home date for Buffalo.

2007
Home: Division I-AA, UCF, North Carolina.
Away: Auburn, FAU

2008
Home: Division I-AA, Kansas
Away: UCF, FIU, N.C. State

2009
Home: Division I-AA, FIU, Miami, Ball State
Away: Indiana

2010:
Home: Division I-AA, Illinois, FAU
Away: Florida, Ball State

2011
Home: Division I-AA, Buffalo, Western Kentucky, Indiana
Away: Illinois

2012
Home: Division I-AA, Michigan State
Away: Miami, Western Kentucky, Buffalo

2013 (one opening)
Home: Division I-AA, FAU, Miami
Away: Michigan State

2014 (two openings)
Home: Division I-AA, N.C. State
Away: Florida