bitcruncher Wrote:If USF beats Auburn they will definitely deserve a higher ranking than they've gotten so far. And if by some miracle the Bulls manage to get by WVU again, they might get a momentum that is unstoppable. Only time will tell.

It wouldn't exactly be a miracle, considering that USF plays very well at home and has beaten a very good WVU on the road. Next year's team should be USF's most balanced offensive and defensive team ever, so if it lives up to its press clippings it can compete with ANYONE in the BigEast.

BTW....if it hasn't been mentioned before, Phil Steele's magazine is number one with those who like to bet on college football. The local talking heads on the radio swear by the guy, as do the Vegas guys who come on the air every Friday during football season.

Its chock full of stats that cover almost every angle and trend. Its well worth the money. Rags like Athlon and TSN or Lindy's used to be relevant before the Internet, but today they are worthless, out-dated, poorly sourced fluff pieces.

CyberBull Wrote:BTW....if it hasn't been mentioned before, Phil Steele's magazine is number one with those who like to bet on college football. The local talking heads on the radio swear by the guy, as do the Vegas guys who come on the air every Friday during football season.

Its chock full of stats that cover almost every angle and trend. Its well worth the money. Rags like Athlon and TSN or Lindy's used to be relevant before the Internet, but today they are worthless, out-dated, poorly sourced fluff pieces.

I had a dream last night that I was checking scores and USF was up on AU 20-0. No joke.

CyberBull Wrote:BTW....if it hasn't been mentioned before, Phil Steele's magazine is number one with those who like to bet on college football. The local talking heads on the radio swear by the guy, as do the Vegas guys who come on the air every Friday during football season.

Its chock full of stats that cover almost every angle and trend. Its well worth the money. Rags like Athlon and TSN or Lindy's used to be relevant before the Internet, but today they are worthless, out-dated, poorly sourced fluff pieces.

I agree about Phil steele, but what in the world was he thinking in putting Memphis ahead of USM. I am no USM fan, but they should be pretty solid this year, and should run thru Cusa. I would like to see those stats. Also, the guys has Rutgers ranked way to low in my book. And whats up with Cincy not being anywhere at all? They will be a very solid team. Somehow, I just dont see how some of Steeles predictions will play out.

cuseroc Wrote:I agree about Phil steele, but what in the world was he thinking in putting Memphis ahead of USM.

I was puzzled by Memphis in the low 30's and tops in CUSA as well. Did Memphis discover a secret year of eligibility for DeAngelo Williams?

That is baffling. Cincinnati brings back the main core of a team that finished with 8 wins against a Top 3 scheduling, #4 in the #3 conference in America last year and a bowl win and there no where to be found. Meanwhile Memphis won, what, 1 game last year, and they're almost in the Top 30. Crazy!

is a pre-season mags guys relax, while nice to read it means nothing.
in case anyone is interested here where the rankings from last year.
Athlons
1. West Virginia (6)
2. Louisville (10)
3. Rutgers (38)
4. Pitt (49)
5.USF (57)
6. UConn (69)
7.Cincy (90)
8. Syracuse (93)
Phil Steele
1. Louisville (3)
2. Pitt (39) and WV(17)
4.USF
5.Rutgers
6.UConn
7.Cincy
8.Syracuse
Sporting News
1.West virginia (5)
2.Louisville (19)
3.Pitt (42)
4.USF (50)
5.UConn (57)
6.Rutgers (66)
7.Cincy (86)
8.Syracuse (99)

Wow Rutgers Ray Rice and Pat White got hosed.

BJUnklFkr Wrote:I won't say it. But I'm thinking it.

Thanks - I appreciate your restraint...

USFFan

CyberBull Wrote:

bitcruncher Wrote:If USF beats Auburn they will definitely deserve a higher ranking than they've gotten so far. And if by some miracle the Bulls manage to get by WVU again, they might get a momentum that is unstoppable. Only time will tell.

It wouldn't exactly be a miracle, considering that USF plays very well at home and has beaten a very good WVU on the road. Next year's team should be USF's most balanced offensive and defensive team ever, so if it lives up to its press clippings it can compete with ANYONE in the BigEast.

Trust me. It'll be a miracle. The Mountaineers will have everyone healthy for this year's game, unlike last year.

Cincy will shock people in 07 and 08 will be even better! I have never seen campus a buzz about football like it is. 5 games with top 25 teams. Three of those at home. The family section sold out last week. UC has a long way to go in attendance but you can feel the excitement building. It was like the Rutgers game lit the fuse. Coach Kelly is so dynamic and a real fans coach. UC not in the top 50 is a joke!

CollegeCard Wrote:

cuseroc Wrote:I agree about Phil steele, but what in the world was he thinking in putting Memphis ahead of USM.

I was puzzled by Memphis in the low 30's and tops in CUSA as well. Did Memphis discover a secret year of eligibility for DeAngelo Williams?

Phil Steele is usually closer on his picks than other prognosticators. Schedules have a big influence on which way he goes. BTW, he doesn't have Memphis winning CUSA; that is USM. I will be curious to see his prediction for Memphis against UAB (6 years running now).

Until they win again, I suppose I will have to put up with the dagger DW comments. Why you feel the need to make these comments is beyond me?

bitcruncher Wrote:

CyberBull Wrote:

bitcruncher Wrote:If USF beats Auburn they will definitely deserve a higher ranking than they've gotten so far. And if by some miracle the Bulls manage to get by WVU again, they might get a momentum that is unstoppable. Only time will tell.

It wouldn't exactly be a miracle, considering that USF plays very well at home and has beaten a very good WVU on the road. Next year's team should be USF's most balanced offensive and defensive team ever, so if it lives up to its press clippings it can compete with ANYONE in the BigEast.

Trust me. It'll be a miracle. The Mountaineers will have everyone healthy for this year's game, unlike last year.

That game is in Tampa, would not surprise me at all if USF beats WVU this year. It would not surprise me as well if USF beat UofL in Tampa either. They are a very good home team.

Maize Wrote:

bitcruncher Wrote:

CyberBull Wrote:It wouldn't exactly be a miracle, considering that USF plays very well at home and has beaten a very good WVU on the road. Next year's team should be USF's most balanced offensive and defensive team ever, so if it lives up to its press clippings it can compete with ANYONE in the BigEast.

Trust me. It'll be a miracle. The Mountaineers will have everyone healthy for this year's game, unlike last year.

That game is in Tampa, would not surprise me at all if USF beats WVU this year. It would not surprise me as well if USF beat UofL in Tampa either. They are a very good home team.

I have to side with Cyber and Maize. We'll of course know more once we are into the season, but I won't be shocked if USF beats the Eers again, so I definitely can't call it a miracle.

USF and WVU traded home losses the last 2 years. Expect that trend to continue one more year. Bet on it.

That's not to say that USF won't have a good team. But White and Slaton just keep getting better, and the Mountaineers keep getting hungrier. But Bulls ain't big enough to quench that appetitie.

bitcruncher Wrote:USF and WVU traded home losses the last 2 years. Expect that trend to continue one more year. Bet on it.

That's not to say that USF won't have a good team. But White and Slaton just keep getting better, and the Mountaineers keep getting hungrier. But Bulls ain't big enough to quench that appetitie.

Maybe, but that's far from "a miracle." Do I expect WVU to be favored? Probably, but I'm more than willing to bet that they won't be double digit favorites in Tampa this September. Miracle wins come from teams that are usually 20+ point underdogs. How about this, are you willing to give me USF and 20 points this September? If not, then you don't really think USF's only chance will take "a miracle."

USFFan

BJUnklFkr Wrote:

Wilkie01 Wrote:Heck, Pittsburgh or Cincinnati could be a "dark-horse" and win it all this year!

Speaking of Pitt... does anyone think Wanny will be on the hot seat should the Panthers fail to finish in the upper half, or, worst case, fail to make a bowl? He's been pulling in exceptional recruiting classes, which is a good thing, but results have been slow.

I'd like to hear from Pitt fans, in particular.

The only way Wanny feels any heat this year is if he has another 6-6 season. I expect Pitt to win a minimum of 7 this year. They could win 9-10, but we'll see. Wanny will have 4 years before the Pitt admin gives him any heat.

usffan Wrote:

BJUnklFkr Wrote:I won't say it. But I'm thinking it.

Thanks - I appreciate your restraint...

USFFan

I knew you would :drinky2: Good luck to the Bulls (except Nov. 3).

georgia_tech_swagger Wrote:He has GT at #42 ... Athlon has us at #14. I think that's the widest spread I have ever seen between two preseason magazines.

I dunno....he has Memphis at 32. I'm sure everyone else has us hovering around 100.

I can't tell what's going to happen. Last year, we were awful, the seniors quit after the DC was fired and West decided to start putting in all the youngsters. They started to gel towards the end of the season and could be ready to play much better after losing only 3 starters.

Then again, this is still a team that went 2-10 with 1 of those W's being against a D-1AA school. I'm trying to be optimistic, but not hopelessly so.

usffan Wrote:

bitcruncher Wrote:USF and WVU traded home losses the last 2 years. Expect that trend to continue one more year. Bet on it.

That's not to say that USF won't have a good team. But White and Slaton just keep getting better, and the Mountaineers keep getting hungrier. But Bulls ain't big enough to quench that appetitie.

Maybe, but that's far from "a miracle." Do I expect WVU to be favored? Probably, but I'm more than willing to bet that they won't be double digit favorites in Tampa this September. Miracle wins come from teams that are usually 20+ point underdogs. How about this, are you willing to give me USF and 20 points this September? If not, then you don't really think USF's only chance will take "a miracle."

USFFan

You know ... this whole stupid argument started because I used a common expression as a simile and you couldn't see that.