Por (vince) on February 11, 2010 (Suggest removal)

Given the fact that Notre Dame has stunk it up for the past few years, I’d have to say, NO!  The Alabama, Penn State, or even the Oklahoma game were much more enticing than Notre Dame.  However, anytime USF’s up and coming program is able to play “big time” programs, it’s good for USF…..I guess I am almost expecting to play more teams like Notre Dame.  That’s the direction we want USF to go.  I am tired of beating up on Wofford or Stonybrook…..Let’s start beating up on these big time programs.

Por (Dan Alatorre) on February 12, 2010 (Suggest removal)

It would be a big deal if Notre Dame was any good. But it’s still kind of a big deal because we haven’t started the season against anybody in quite a while, so it’s a step in the right direction. And ND ain’t Wofford; they’ll put up a fight, and if we mess around, we’ll lose.

Scott, I was wondering, is Marquel Blackwell still with the team?

Por (KoozeeKingdom) on February 12, 2010 (Suggest removal)

I agree with Vince.  Well said.

BTW, after looking at the schedule, I think the Bulls will go 5-7 this year.  It pains me to say it, but that’s how I see it.  I think we’ll lose to a couple of teams we usually beat.  If CJL was here I think we could go 8-4, including a win over Florida.  As is, I think we will lose to Florida, WVU, Cincinnati, Rutgers, Louisville, Pitt, UConn.  The optimist in me wants to say 6-6.

Por (Hector Jimenez) on February 12, 2010 (Suggest removal)

ND is absolutely a bigger opening game than Alabama and Penn State.  I don’t care that ND has been down lately, so has FSU and and that game was considered by many to be the “it” game of the season…..it doesn’t matter that a team is down what matters is the perception it carries.  If memory serves me correct, PSU was going through a down stretch when we played them.

National exposure at ND and witht he possibility of making a splash right of the bat….you can’t beat that. 

I would gladly take away the I-AA team and play two 2 BCS schools (SEC/ACC ideally, maybe P10 every so often to get the west coast exposure)and 3 non-BCS schools (CUSA/MAC/MW).

Por (Dan Alatorre) on February 12, 2010 (Suggest removal)

Leavitt was good for one crazy against-the-odds win almost every year, but I’m not sure UF would have been it this upcoming season. I thought we’d beat FSU last year and I said so; and I thought we had a good chance against UM. Florida, I’m just not sure. They are a good team but they do have a bad game now and then, and with Tebow gone and the defense struggling, now would be the time to take them down, especially early on in the season, and they would probably be overlooking us. So, yeah, if Holtz focused, I guess we could take them. Why not?

Por (T Bever) on February 12, 2010 (Suggest removal)

You’re right, Hector.  Expectations weren’t high at PSU that year.  I made teh game with a couple of buddies and felt like zoo animals.  No one from Pennsylvania knew ANYTHING about USF.  Not the school color, mascot, location…

Penn State went on to have a pretty good year, but that game was pretty close and would have been closer without a defensive back starting at QB to open the season.  What was Leavitt thinking? (Denson?)

This game is bigger than the other two just for the higher profile of USF.  At Auburn, people knew who the Bulls were.  The crowd there and in Tallahassee was much more into the game then PSU.

Por (Don G) on February 13, 2010 (Suggest removal)

KoozeeKingdom, amigo, are you serious that USF would have a better record next season if Leavitt was still HC?  Look, Leavitt and staff did have that one big upset every season, but look at the record he achieved after that big win - especially the poor conference record every year. Leavitt did a terrible job of preparing Bulls for BE away games and got out-coached by Rutgers and Cincy evry year and never beat UCONN or Louisville in away games.  I think Holtz will change that and I think you’ll see a much improved team and with the ability to play at a more consistent level than what we’ve seen the last few years. Sorry, but Leavitt was average coach with, in my opinion, some real issues that were troublesome. I’m happy he’s gone!

Por (KoozeeKingdom) on February 14, 2010 (Suggest removal)

Yes Don G, I think USF would have 2 or 3 more wins next season with CJL instead of CSH.  I think CJL would be able to beat the 3 marshmallows, pull off the amazing upset at Florida, plus beat Syracuse & WVU as usual, win at Cincy without their old coaching staff and win at home against UCONN.  That would have put USF at 4-3 in league play.  With a new coaching staff, I don’t see the win at Florida, I don’t see the win at WVU or Cincy, I DO see a win (finally) against Rutgers and possibly UCONN.  I’ll say it again.  With CJL: 8-4.  With CSH: 5-7 or 6-6.  Hopefully I’m wrong.  Ask me again after the season.

Por (Don G) on February 14, 2010 (Suggest removal)

Koozee, ok, I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree on this one. However, in my opinion, the other teams in the BE were really improving, while under Leavitt, USF seemed to be stagnant? With strength of schedule next year, if Leavitt stayed, my guess is that USF would go 6-6 and with possibly no bowl bid. Re: speculating on next season, I think Holtz and a 8-4 season is doable and would be a good start for Holtz. If USF wins a bowl and goes 9-4, then that would be an outstanding year for Holtz and would be a good indicator for big things in 2011 and 2012.  Our hopes for next season rides on Daniels remaining healthy due to Leavitt leaving Holtz with zero scholarship backups at QB.

Por (Dan Alatorre) on February 14, 2010 (Suggest removal)

koozee, I almost take your point. I think the SAME team with the SAME coach - the one who recruited them and knows them because he’s been working with them for years, does better the next year than a NEW coach and assistant coaches coming in - who may want to run a different offense and defense. But I don’t think we would have beaten UF. When thinking about it, though, UF loses Tebow - a great leader - and starts with a newer, less proven QB; new defensive coordinator, and maybe less Urban Meyer. This would be the time to beat them, early in the season before they gel, and THEY won’t know what we will do, because of our new coach, but we will know what THEY will do. Holtz beats UF = legend. There’s a real chance. I’d go all in.

Por (Dan Alatorre) on February 14, 2010 (Suggest removal)

I love those scrambling QB’s like Blackwell, Grothe & Daniels, but were they scrambling because they were never taught to read a defense? If so, we’d be better off with better protection up front and a QB who reads & makes plays with his head & arm, & not his legs. Scrambling’s fun to watch & wins us games sometimes, but it probably wasn’t best in the long run. As for Leavitt, pre-slapp I would have let him post 2 more mediocre seasons & then worked out a settlemt and let him consult. I’m loyal that way. Post slap, I’d have given a IU/Bobby Knight final warning zero tolerance ruling & then let him retire a few years later if he didn’t improve. That’s just me. Basically, I didn’t think he’d get us there & would’ve let him ease out

Por (Don G) on February 14, 2010 (Suggest removal)

Dan, I applaud your loyalty and your optimism about USF and their chances against UF next season. Like you said, of all years when playing UF, doing so the year after they lose their starting QB and at time when there’s a couple of assistant coaching changes is probably as good as you could hope for most times. Hard to imagine that USF stacks up to pull that off though - especially in Gainesville - but USF always seems to pull off that one big upset every year. I just wish that Daniels had one more year of experience under his belt before playing UF.

Por (Dan Alatorre) on February 14, 2010 (Suggest removal)

You can see I’m torn about it. My head says there’s no chance, and then i think about it and I say, well, maybe there is a SLIGHT chance - if this and that and the other thing…

A scrambling QB running around while UF tries to remain disciplined? Like the revolutionaries against the British, sometimes your strength is exploited.

I can dream!