Will 300-to-1 longshots come in?

Posted Oct 11, 2007 by Brett McMurphy

Updated Oct 11, 2007 at 07:17 AM

Like all University of South Florida alums, Mike Pepper is hoping the Bulls win the national title. But Pepper has extra incentive - like 6,020 reasons why. He will win $6,020 after placing a $20 wager in Las Vegas in May on 300-to-1 long shot USF to win the national title.

USF’s recent success also has meant big bucks for area retailers, the Tampa Tribune’s Ted Jackovics reports.

“There’s no question our success on the field has been a short-term financial success in terms of sales and revenue,” USF senior associate AD Bill McGillis said. “When you are in a hot market like we are, you see things moving quickly, but in large part the increases are through store inventory ordered last year.

“What we are going to see in the fall of 2008 is a dramatic increase for new product, and we see that growth as ongoing as more licensees get on board.”

Also, T.J. Rives, who has done play-by-play for USF’s men’s basketball games since 1997, has stepped down because of his conflicts as the Bucs’ sideline and post-game reporter and his full-time duties with XM radio hosting his daily “Sportsnation” show as well as assisting with the network’s Saturday college football coverage.

Bulls fans will recognize Rives’ replacement. Jim Lighthall, who was Rives’ analyst the entire time, moves over a seat to handle USF’s men’s basketball play-by-play duties. A decision has not been made on who will be Lighthall’s analyst.

How about some Barbecue? Here’s a feature on USF RB Benjamin Williams, nicknamed Barbecue by former USF QB Pat Julmiste.

Finally, I ran into Orlando Sentinel columnist David Whitley at USF Tuesday. He walked around campus wearing a UCF T-shirt and hat - and survived. Here is his column.

“My goal was to find out if the USF student body knows or cares about Saturday’s game against little old UCF, which is not currently ranked in the top five,” Whitley said. “I quickly discovered the students are quite passionate. I felt like O.J. at the Goldman family reunion.”

National college columnist Chris Dufresne ranks USF No. 4 in his top 25 with a suggestion for the school: “4. SOUTH FLORIDA (5-0)—Angels owner advises school to drop “South” and become University of Florida at Tampa.”