The Bull Gator (3/15/10)
. With a new head coach, several star defenders moving on to the NFL, and what will most likely be a different look on offense, USF has a number of question marks heading into the 2010 season, but fighting for bowl eligibility? Then again, look at the schedule and you can realistically see how someone could come to that conclusion. The Bulls have a great chance to start the season 4-1 and put themselves in the position they’ve been in during many of the past recent seasons. But then as the Big East schedule hits its stride, USF could find itself struggling mightily. The Bulls could be underdogs on paper for most, if not all, of their second half of the season games. But at the same time, a good number of them could be toss ups. It’s hard to say exactly how good any Big East team will be from year to year. If USF can stay in games until the end, there should be no threat of missing a bowl. But let teams get hot early and it could be a very long first season for
Skip Holtz
. Of course Holtz was brought in to build something long-term, not just provide a quick fix.
It may be hard to accurately predict the final standings in the Big East from year to year, and it may be even harder a few years from now. As conference expansion talk litters the landscape of college football, there seems to be one steady in the discussion: the Big East will be affected. It’s hard to imagine the SEC changing anytime soon. If the Big Ten does go after Missouri one day and they actually agree to make the switch, the Big 12 should fill their spot with relative ease. But it’s the aftershock effect of some of the other possible changes that could see the BCS’ smallest conference torn apart. If the Big Ten were to strike out with Notre Dame – something that seems entirely possible (in fact, they may not even want them) – and Missouri didn’t feel like the move was in their best interest, the Big East is next on the list. Pittsburgh, Rutgers, and Syracuse are among the possibilities. And if just one leaves, the small suddenly gets smaller. Sure the Big East could lure even smaller conference schools to hop aboard (nearly anyone would be intrigued by an invitation just due to basketball implications), but what does that do to the Big East as a BCS school? Can they truly call themselves a competitor with a lineup that looks like Conference USA circa 2003? The answer is no. As expansion talk heats up, it may be in the Big East’s best interest to pursue Notre Dame themselves (as we all know, the Irish have conference ties in other sports). Snagging ND could be just what the conference needs to hold itself together.
For the second consecutive year, Oregon has suspended one of their offensive stars for the season. Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli has been suspended for the entire 2010 season after pleading guilty to second-degree burglary. Head coach Chip Kelly refrained from dismissing Masoli from the team entirely. The quarterback will remain on scholarship and may possibly practice with the team (nothing has been set in stone yet). One wonders if good behavior will shorten the suspension (ala LeGarrette Blount). Then again, even if Masoli is allowed to return late in the season, it’s hard to imagine the Ducks inserting a different quarterback that deep into the year. Masoli’s teammate, running back LaMichael James, plead guilty to harassment and will be suspended for the season opener. James may be the only offense the Ducks have left.
Former Oklahoma State quarterback Bobby Reid will get another shot at continuing his football career. You all remember Reid, don’t you? I don’t have to actually say it, do I? If you don’t, go ahead and look it up. You’ll remember quickly enough. Reid will work out for NFL scouts today with hopes of impressing enough to possibly warrant him getting drafted. LSU head coach Les Miles recruited Reid to Oklahoma State and because of their relationship is allowing Reid to workout at the Tigers’ pro day. Reid hasn’t played football since appearing in 10 games for Texas Southern in 2008. He showed then he still has an arm and can use his legs when needed. However, with that much time off from the game, it’s hard to imagine a team taking a shot at Reid during the drafts. He’ll most likely get signed as an undrafted free agent.
This list has to do with what else, dancing. With Florida securing a spot in the Big Dance for the first time since they last hoisted the National Championship trophy, Gators players and fans alike are giddy. And with giddiness comes dancing. Oh the dancing.
1. Who can forget Joakim Noah?
The Sixth Man: The whole who to cheer for issue was cleared up quickly as the Gators decided to make it easy on me and go ahead and get themselves invited to the NCAA Tournament. Florida heads in as a 10-seed and will face BYU on Thursday. While I’d love to see the Gators make a running the tourney, I’m honestly just happy they’re back in it. For a school that won back-to-back titles, back-to-back NIT appearances were a kick in the stomach. Followed by a kick to the head. A first-round loss might not even be as bad as it sounds. Florida is dancing and we are just flat-out joyous. But…that first-round matchup might actually be winnable. The Gators aren’t facing some titan of the college basketball world. They’re facing a beatable BYU team. Florida can win this game and move on. Turnovers and Dan Werner appearances aside, the Gators have a chance to advance to the second round. That almost seems like the Promised Land to fans that are too used to the NIT. In the sports world, winning a championship only a few years ago seems like a lifetime. It’s amazing that we are this excited over a tourney invite, but we are. Mostly because we can no longer handle the alternative.