How does the buildup for tonight's Kansas game compare to the WVU game of a year ago? I was in Tampa last year for it and the city was really amped up for the game. It truly was a big time atmosphere. Is there a similar environment this year?

Not as big a build-up, mostly because of competing stories. The Rays are getting a lot of coverage as they close in on the playoffs, and football-wise the big story in Tampa right now is the Bucs benching QB jeff garcia in favor of brian griese.

Tampa is first and foremost a Bucs town, and secondarily a pro-sports town, and tertiarily (!?) at the college level it is filled with lots of UF and FSU alums.

USF sports, even football, will probably always have difficulty achieving the complete spotlight.

Not only that, but Kansas isn't a conference game. The WVU game had huge implications due to its importance in The BEast race...

Regardless of the atmosphere, I hope the USF team is up for this game, it is shaping up to be almost a must-win for the Big East with the way this season has gone so far. Good luck.

There are no 'must win' games, unless you count the entire schedule. That's what society is telling us these days...