Orlando's Hometown National Champions

[spenser1058]

Woohoo! UCF has sold out the season ticket allotment for this year. Charge On!

Meanwhile, don’t forget to catch the Knights tonight at 7pm on ESPN. This is a YUGE game for both schools for a lot of reasons, starting with new coaches on both sides.

Also, both UCF and Boise State are regularly in the convo about who gets the NY6 slot for non-AQ teams.

It also seems downright odd that, since any mention of UCF in an article also gets a mention of Boise due to the NY6 situation and also what teams are likely to move up to another conference, that the two schools have never played each other. This despite the fact you’re more likely to see UCF in the same sentence with Boise than, say, UCF and The Cows of Temple Terrace.

Edited September 2, 2021 by spenser1058

[spenser1058]

UCF one of four leading contenders in Big XII discussions, according to The Athletic:

UCF one of four ‘leading contenders’ in Big 12 expansion: report
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/ucf-knights/os-sp-ucf-football-big-12-expansion-knights-leading-contender-report-20210902-wp5e3u5nbrgulizmshkw3js4da-story.html

From The Sentinel 

The other three schools are BYU, Cincy and Houston. Somehow, The Cows got no mention…

[spenser1058]

It was a mess, but on the Gus Bus the Knights never gave up and pulled out the win in a storm-delayed game vs Boise State 36-31. Charge On!

[spenser1058]

Meanwhile, The Temple Terrace Cows did what they do and lost 45-0 to NCSU. While we ponder building up the American or throwing in with the Big XII, maybe the Cows should think about the Sun Belt? Genshafted in reverse!?!

[spenser1058]

Pete Thamel, one of the better college football reporters, is a believer:

https://sports.yahoo.com/we-are-the-big-school-on-seminal-night-ucf-shows-glimpse-of-future-and-what-big-12-membership-could-bring-071227432.html

From Yahoo! Sports

[jrs2]

23 hours ago, spenser1058 said:

UCF one of four leading contenders in Big XII discussions, according to The Athletic:

UCF one of four ‘leading contenders’ in Big 12 expansion: report
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/ucf-knights/os-sp-ucf-football-big-12-expansion-knights-leading-contender-report-20210902-wp5e3u5nbrgulizmshkw3js4da-story.html

From The Sentinel 

The other three schools are BYU, Cincy and Houston. Somehow, The Cows got no mention…

yeah, but...you don't want UCF to go to the Big XII, right?

I watched the highlights b/c I forgot there was college football on last night.  Late game too...

I think it was better that UCF fall behind 24-7 and then come back to win because it created a gut check scenario that goes a long way to building mental toughness of the players...and shows staff play calling consistency and ability to adjust to an adverse situation.

Boise QB screwed up and threw an ill-advised pass late in the 4th Q when he had the first down with his feet; a gift INT.  Technically one could say UCF should've lost that game, but, UCF came back and then put the pressure on Boise and it caused their QB to make a mental error.  That's how it's done.  When it was gut check time, UCF made the plays and Boise did not.  But, Boise is gonna be good the rest of the year b/c they should've never thrown that pick into like three UCF defenders; they had the momentum and almost certainly would have scored.  That play was akin to a blocked FG to win.  Nevertheless, that's what home field advantage can do for you.

Gus looked good.  Gabriel took a hit near the goal line and got flattened; wonder if he got a concussion.  Was that targeting?

Good win.

 

[spenser1058]

2 minutes ago, jrs2 said:

yeah, but...you don't want UCF to go to the Big XII, right?

I watched the highlights b/c I forgot there was college football on last night.  Late game too...

I think it was better that UCF fall behind 24-7 and then come back to win because it created a gut check scenario that goes a long way to building mental toughness of the players...and shows staff play calling consistency and ability to adjust to an adverse situation.

Boise QB screwed up and threw an ill-advised pass late in the 4th Q when he had the first down with his feet; a gift INT.  Technically one could say UCF should've lost that game, but, UCF came back and then put the pressure on Boise and it caused their QB to make a mental error.  That's how it's done.  When it was gut check time, UCF made the plays and Boise did not.  But, Boise is gonna be good the rest of the year b/c they should've never thrown that pick into like three UCF defenders; they had the momentum and almost certainly would have scored.  That play was akin to a blocked FG to win.  Nevertheless, that's what home field advantage can do for you.

Gus looked good.  Gabriel took a hit near the goal line and got flattened; wonder if he got a concussion.  Was that targeting?

Good win.

 

If it were up to me, I’d rather not. I’m aware that the $$$$ will do the talking. It boils down to what ESPN wants to do.

Heup was absolutely awful at come from behind wins so this was huge for us.

The fact the Cows are crying all over the place is a total bonus…

Edited September 3, 2021 by spenser1058

[jrs2]

5 minutes ago, spenser1058 said:

If it were up to me, I’d rather not. I’m aware that the $$$$ will do the talking. It boils down to what ESPN wants to do.

yeah I guess you're right...with the TV contracts and all...

that shot that Gabriel took was brutal...Gus called some good plays.  The offense is gonna be good...  Gabriel is pretty aggressive...Gus make put a leash on him though to protect him and the season...

[spenser1058]

UCF to the Big XII as early as next week, according to reports:

Big 12 expected to add UCF, new members by end of next week: report
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/ucf-knights/os-sp-ucf-football-big-12-expected-to-add-four-new-members-next-week-20210903-o27v6gimqrc5ta3fjhyxrdh2pa-story.html

From The Sentinel 

 

Maybe Judy Genshaft will stop in to the meeting while the Cows head to obscurity…

[spenser1058]

Hart Bochner’s character, frat boy Rod in 1979’s “Breaking Away”, when told by IU that a group of townies would field a team in the Little 500 bike race,  whined, “But sir! they’re not good enough!” (the townies of course go on to win).

That’s the same nonsense the Power 5 cabal has thrown at UCF all these years, even when it’s the second-largest university in the country and in one of the largest TV markets (ponder the fact that the guy deciding on whether UCF goes to the Big XII is the AD at a mediocre school in Lubbock freaking Texas).

Then there’s the canard that no one cares about UCF. Try this on from the Sentinel’s Mike Bianchi:

“When the Pac-12 recently considered expansion, it used a data analysis company called Navigate, which found that UCF’s national TV viewership numbers against Power 5 teams would rank the Knights second in the Pac-12 behind Oregon. Furthermore, UCF’s national TV ratings would be fourth in the Big 12 right behind Texas, Oklahoma and TCU.”

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, the UCF brand is today better known than 2/3 or more of the schools in the “Power5”. More importantly, they built that brand with a fraction of the cash those lazy schools get every year from media rights and the like.

It’s time to stop the nonsense and recognize the college football program of the future, not the past.

Memo to bumbling Big 12: UCF will save you from irrelevance | Commentary
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/mike-bianchi-commentary/os-sp-ucf-big12-invitation-mike-bianchi-20210904-tdvgc3vswfgp7lcfrb3uzb5uzm-story.html

 

Edited September 4, 2021 by spenser1058

[spenser1058]

As the Klingons would say, “Revenge is a dish best served cold”. UCF may one day forgive The Cows for Genshafting us, but we will never forget.

Meanwhile, USF continues to watch its Temple Terrace neighborhood deteriorate. Karma is a wonderful thing.

George O’Leary on USF getting left behind by Big 12-bound UCF: ‘You get what you deserve’ | Commentary
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/mike-bianchi-commentary/os-sp-ucf-usf-big-12-mike-bianchi-20210907-rn5jbntfd5gafba3wy5hes7h3y-story.html

From The Sentinel 

[jrs2]

On 9/4/2021 at 7:36 PM, spenser1058 said:

Hart Bochner’s character, frat boy Rod in 1979’s “Breaking Away”, when told by IU that a group of townies would field a team in the Little 500 bike race,  whined, “But sir! they’re not good enough!” (the townies of course go on to win).

That’s the same nonsense the Power 5 cabal has thrown at UCF all these years, even when it’s the second-largest university in the country and in one of the largest TV markets (ponder the fact that the guy deciding on whether UCF goes to the Big XII is the AD at a mediocre school in Lubbock freaking Texas).

Then there’s the canard that no one cares about UCF. Try this on from the Sentinel’s Mike Bianchi:

“When the Pac-12 recently considered expansion, it used a data analysis company called Navigate, which found that UCF’s national TV viewership numbers against Power 5 teams would rank the Knights second in the Pac-12 behind Oregon. Furthermore, UCF’s national TV ratings would be fourth in the Big 12 right behind Texas, Oklahoma and TCU.”

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, the UCF brand is today better known than 2/3 or more of the schools in the “Power5”. More importantly, they built that brand with a fraction of the cash those lazy schools get every year from media rights and the like.

It’s time to stop the nonsense and recognize the college football program of the future, not the past.

Memo to bumbling Big 12: UCF will save you from irrelevance | Commentary
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/mike-bianchi-commentary/os-sp-ucf-big12-invitation-mike-bianchi-20210904-tdvgc3vswfgp7lcfrb3uzb5uzm-story.html

so...the chatter right now on the internet is who the Big XII should go after; because they ruled out UH apparently.  to stay relevant, the talk is they need to snag back Nebraska and try and pillage the PAC (b/c apparently the PAC doesn't pay their school much $$$ at all ala TV money, etc.)  The consensus is that if they go for G5 teams like Boise, Cincy, UCF, etc, regardless of the size of their TV markets, they will downgrade from a P5 conference just based on interest alone based on the matchups.  But, if they truly are serious at wanting to become a super conference, then that's what they have to do.

This is exactly what I was saying when Texas and OU and their 'north of 50% value of the Big XII' opted to leave and join the SEC, in that, without those "brands," the Big XII would more or less become like the AAC because not only are they losing Texas and OU, but they already lost Colorado, Nebraska, Texas A&M, and Mizzou, for a grand total of "Big" 6 of the Big 12 original 1994-96 members.

So, it goes like so:  The Big XII = The Big 8 + 4 teams from the SWC (Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Baylor--No Arkansas b/c they had already left the SWC).  Re the Big 8 teams, as of next year or so, Nebraska, OU, Colorado, and Mizzou will have all left the Big XII.  Also, as of next year or so, Texas, and Texas A&M (and Arkansas-- b/c Arkansas leaving the SWC was a major blow) of the SWC 4 (5) will have left.  What this means, is that the "Super-Divisional Play Conference by 1990's Standards" known as the Big XII will no longer exist, save for a brash talking WR from OSU and a Hall of Fame linebacker in Mike Singletary from Baylor as it's hallmarks.

So even if UCF goes to the Big XII, it's no longer the Big XII and the entirety of the AP, and the NCAA knows it.  It's not gonna be any of this "recognize the football program of the future" or whatever, because there ain't gonna be no Nebraska, Colorado, OU, Texas, Texas A&M, or Mizzou involved.  

And don't tell me that Nebraska is not relevant anymore just because they're fallen on hard times; they've got a handful of national titles to their name and a century of history.  Oh wait, history doesn't matter to teams that have only really become relevant since they joined Div 1A in 1996 but didn't really make waves until 2017.  Gotcha.  Correction: UCF was not relevant in 1996.  Daunte put their name out there when they lost a close one to Nebraska (which they did alot of vs Div 1A teams) .

So, this week UCF is relevant because their name is being floated around to join the "mighty" Big XII.  But once they do join the Big XII, that conference immediately downgrades itself.  That is a marketing, college football and all things dealing with college football coverage, etc., fact, for all the reasons I gave above.

I laid out how UCF had a shot and blew it ala USF's elevator to the Big East while UCF was still climbing stairs from Independent to the MAC to C-USA.  But that was their SECOND blunder.  Their first was not doing what USF did from the onset in 1979..  Because, had they, by 1990 they could have been part of that crop of Independents that went into conferences in 1990-91 and after; but they weren't part of that train.  Why?  Because they weren't even Div 1-A.  They were small time.  They joined Div 1-A in 1996 and they were still small time.  Daunte gave them the illusion of "big time."  And after he went pro, they sucked for years while Jim Levitt built and fast tracked a brand new college franchise in USF and   got them into the Big East from zero quicker than any school ever.  You keep bringing up Genshaft, but when the Big East invited USF in, it created an opening in C-USA and thus the invite to UCF (and others) to fill that (those) slot(s).  Whatever happened later happened later.  But at it's inception, it was like a college recruiting a HS player from Tampa while the "talkin' big" Orlando player was still in middle school.  So now that middle school player gets a growth spurt and thinks that college owes him admission, when admission is based on merit and age.

So, in conclusion, I wish UCF well with whatever happens.  But the "Big XII", a name that didn't exist before 1996 (kind of like UCF as a Div 1-A school which also  didn't exist before 1996), will have lost most all of it's substance after Texas and OU leave.  The remnants of the Big 8, who's champion played in the Orange Bowl since the 1930's, pretty much a three-horse race, will have lost every one of those horses when UCF joins the Big XII.  And the SWC, who's richest schools from Texas, along with Arkansas of the SWC,  will all be in the SEC when UCF joins the Big XII.

So where does UCF go from here?  Create some notoriety.  How?  Largest stadium in the country?  Nope, can't do that.  Beat some good teams?  Yeah they can do that--- and will always be known as that school that is the one cashing the check to play that away game, and will never be known as the school stroking that check.  That is why they are UCF.  Cheers!

[spenser1058]

18 minutes ago, jrs2 said:

so...the chatter right now on the internet is who the Big XII should go after; because they ruled out UH apparently.  to stay relevant, the talk is they need to snag back Nebraska and try and pillage the PAC (b/c apparently the PAC doesn't pay their school much $$$ at all ala TV money, etc.)  The consensus is that if they go for G5 teams like Boise, Cincy, UCF, etc, regardless of the size of their TV markets, they will downgrade from a P5 conference just based on interest alone based on the matchups.  But, if they truly are serious at wanting to become a super conference, then that's what they have to do.

This is exactly what I was saying when Texas and OU and their 'north of 50% value of the Big XII' opted to leave and join the SEC, in that, without those "brands," the Big XII would more or less become like the AAC because not only are they losing Texas and OU, but they already lost Colorado, Nebraska, Texas A&M, and Mizzou, for a grand total of "Big" 6 of the Big 12 original 1994-96 members.

So, it goes like so:  The Big XII = The Big 8 + 4 teams from the SWC (Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Baylor--No Arkansas b/c they had already left the SWC).  Re the Big 8 teams, as of next year or so, Nebraska, OU, Colorado, and Mizzou will have all left the Big XII.  Also, as of next year or so, Texas, and Texas A&M (and Arkansas-- b/c Arkansas leaving the SWC was a major blow) of the SWC 4 (5) will have left.  What this means, is that the "Super-Divisional Play Conference by 1990's Standards" known as the Big XII will no longer exist, save for a brash talking WR from OSU and a Hall of Fame linebacker in Mike Singletary from Baylor as it's hallmarks.

So even if UCF goes to the Big XII, it's no longer the Big XII and the entirety of the AP, and the NCAA knows it.  It's not gonna be any of this "recognize the football program of the future" or whatever, because there ain't gonna be no Nebraska, Colorado, OU, Texas, Texas A&M, or Mizzou involved.  

And don't tell me that Nebraska is not relevant anymore just because they're fallen on hard times; they've got a handful of national titles to their name and a century of history.  Oh wait, history doesn't matter to teams that have only really become relevant since they joined Div 1A in 1996 but didn't really make waves until 2017.  Gotcha.  Correction: UCF was not relevant in 1996.  Daunte put their name out there when they lost a close one to Nebraska (which they did alot of vs Div 1A teams) .

So, this week UCF is relevant because their name is being floated around to join the "mighty" Big XII.  But once they do join the Big XII, that conference immediately downgrades itself.  That is a marketing, college football and all things dealing with college football coverage, etc., fact, for all the reasons I gave above.

I laid out how UCF had a shot and blew it ala USF's elevator to the Big East while UCF was still climbing stairs from Independent to the MAC to C-USA.  But that was their SECOND blunder.  Their first was not doing what USF did from the onset in 1979..  Because, had they, by 1990 they could have been part of that crop of Independents that went into conferences in 1990-91 and after; but they weren't part of that train.  Why?  Because they weren't even Div 1-A.  They were small time.  They joined Div 1-A in 1996 and they were still small time.  Daunte gave them the illusion of "big time."  And after he went pro, they sucked for years while Jim Levitt built and fast tracked a brand new college franchise in USF and   got them into the Big East from zero quicker than any school ever.  You keep bringing up Genshaft, but when the Big East invited USF in, it created an opening in C-USA and thus the invite to UCF (and others) to fill that (those) slot(s).  Whatever happened later happened later.  But at it's inception, it was like a college recruiting a HS player from Tampa while the "talkin' big" Orlando player was still in middle school.  So now that middle school player gets a growth spurt and thinks that college owes him admission, when admission is based on merit and age.

So, in conclusion, I wish UCF well with whatever happens.  But the "Big XII", a name that didn't exist before 1996 (kind of like UCF as a Div 1-A school which also  didn't exist before 1996), will have lost most all of it's substance after Texas and OU leave.  The remnants of the Big 8, who's champion played in the Orange Bowl since the 1930's, pretty much a three-horse race, will have lost every one of those horses when UCF joins the Big XII.  And the SWC, who's richest schools from Texas, along with Arkansas of the SWC,  will all be in the SEC when UCF joins the Big XII.

So where does UCF go from here?  Create some notoriety.  How?  Largest stadium in the country?  Nope, can't do that.  Beat some good teams?  Yeah they can do that--- and will always be known as that school that is the one cashing the check to play that away game, and will never be known as the school stroking that check.  That is why they are UCF.  Cheers!

As to the idiots in Nebraska, they just said online  that Gus is just being “groomed” to jump to Lincoln when Frosty gets fired. There are self-absorbed fan bases online but that crowd takes the cake.

Gus is in hog heaven right now with the freedom to run his own show after being micromanaged at Auburn by the boosters until he was burnt out (a longtime complaint on the Plain). He’s old enough to think about building a legacy instead of having to jump to the next job (we see how well that worked out for Frosty and are likely to see that with Heup since Rocky Top has been the graveyard of coaches for a while now - have you noticed we’re barely hearing a peep out of DW these days?)

Another thing about Gus - he loves hs football and recruiting (the HBC would be gobsmacked- he hated that). Gus loves the fact he can just hop in his car and check out some of the most fertile Friday Night territory in the country (he’s already been filmed at several local games). That’s another thing Frosty liked about UCF over Nebraska (in fact, Marc Daniels and Bianchi have gone in-depth about how torn Frosty was and that the only reason he left when he did was because his dad was dying and wanted him coaching Big Red before he passed. We know what Mrs. Frosty preferred- she’s leaving hubby and taking the kids back to Florida).

The bottom line from folks who know is that the three AAC schools headed to the Big XII will make more money than they do now (even as the current members are gonna take a cut after Texas and OU leave).

We also know ESPN and FOX are already telegraphing behind the scenes about what they’ll likely offer inthe next round of contracts.

We also understand that there’s going to be a “P2” when this shakes out, followed by the next group. If you do the math, you’ll see that the ratings, market sizes, etc put the reconfigured Big XII level or even better than the PAC-12 and ACC. Unlike your online friends, stop looking at the past (*cough* Lincoln) and look at the markets that are growing. The funny part about using them as your benchmark is that Nebraska would have been infinitely better off to stay in the Big XII. Sure, they’ve got B1G money but that’s all they’ve got.

We’re gonna be just fine and it won’t take too long before we’re winning conference championships in the new Big XII.

But hey, enjoy yourself in the mighty SEC where it’s been how many years since your last conference championship? Now, it’s even less likely with Oklahoma* and Texas. 

*or maybe not after Tulane came very close to whupping them - in Norman!- last weekend.

 

[jrs2]

14 hours ago, spenser1058 said:

As to the idiots in Nebraska, they just said online  that Gus is just being “groomed” to jump to Lincoln when Frosty gets fired. There are self-absorbed fan bases online but that crowd takes the cake.

Gus is in hog heaven right now with the freedom to run his own show after being micromanaged at Auburn by the boosters until he was burnt out (a longtime complaint on the Plain). He’s old enough to think about building a legacy instead of having to jump to the next job (we see how well that worked out for Frosty and are likely to see that with Heup since Rocky Top has been the graveyard of coaches for a while now - have you noticed we’re barely hearing a peep out of DW these days?)

Another thing about Gus - he loves hs football and recruiting (the HBC would be gobsmacked- he hated that). Gus loves the fact he can just hop in his car and check out some of the most fertile Friday Night territory in the country (he’s already been filmed at several local games). That’s another thing Frosty liked about UCF over Nebraska (in fact, Marc Daniels and Bianchi have gone in-depth about how torn Frosty was and that the only reason he left when he did was because his dad was dying and wanted him coaching Big Red before he passed. We know what Mrs. Frosty preferred- she’s leaving hubby and taking the kids back to Florida).

The bottom line from folks who know is that the three AAC schools headed to the Big XII will make more money than they do now (even as the current members are gonna take a cut after Texas and OU leave).

We also know ESPN and FOX are already telegraphing behind the scenes about what they’ll likely offer inthe next round of contracts.

We also understand that there’s going to be a “P2” when this shakes out, followed by the next group. If you do the math, you’ll see that the ratings, market sizes, etc put the reconfigured Big XII level or even better than the PAC-12 and ACC. Unlike your online friends, stop looking at the past (*cough* Lincoln) and look at the markets that are growing. The funny part about using them as your benchmark is that Nebraska would have been infinitely better off to stay in the Big XII. Sure, they’ve got B1G money but that’s all they’ve got.

We’re gonna be just fine and it won’t take too long before we’re winning conference championships in the new Big XII.

But hey, enjoy yourself in the mighty SEC where it’s been how many years since your last conference championship? Now, it’s even less likely with Oklahoma* and Texas. 

*or maybe not after Tulane came very close to whupping them - in Norman!- last weekend.

 

I don't know anything about all that...market sizes...reconfigured Big XII...an easier road to a conference championship if you are not in the SEC...

all I know is that UF has been a charter member of the SEC since 1932.  It may have taken 52 years for UF to rank No.1 in their conference and No.1 in the NYT Poll, but I don't remember UF ever jumping conferences in the modern age since 1932 and the era of the AP Poll.  So UF hasn't won the SEC since 2008.  So what?  Comparing that to a conference championship for UCF in a conference bereft of Nebraska, OU, Texas, Texas A&M, Colorado, Mizzou, and Arkansas...well, I'll take that any day of the week...and so will/did Nebraska.

Big Red may be down right now...but they're still Big Red...just like a former president is still called Mr. President.  You don't ever lose that notoriety.  Just like Michigan.  Michigan is still Michigan.  Do you think the Wolverines are envious of the 2017 Colley Matrix Champs?  

Don't belittle B1G money, b/c that's what it's all about.  That's why Nebraska left and that's why Texas and OU left, otherwise, I don't see the Big XII beating down UCF's president's door begging them to join the Big XII; and they're not even doing it now; UCF has to submit an application.  

The Big XII (much like the Big East) without those teams is like a mall from yesteryear, in that, who cares about shopping at that mall when Macy's, Dillard's, etc, have already left and vacated their spaces?  Oh, look, another Spirit Halloween Store or Clearance Center!  Ah, a new Dollar Tree! 

Macy's got replaced by Dollar Tree. 

[spenser1058]

Did you know… “UCF has had the ninth-most nationally televised games on major networks since 2018 -- more than any other Group of 5 team -- a nod to its success over the past five seasons.”

[jrs2]

1 hour ago, spenser1058 said:

Did you know… “UCF has had the ninth-most nationally televised games on major networks since 2018 -- more than any other Group of 5 team -- a nod to its success over the past five seasons.”

these guys in a Utah based college football show have been breaking this Big XII stuff down.  They think Gus is gone in two years to replace Ed O at LSU when he gets fired (if he gets fired).  

They say that BYU is in already but will leave it up to the Big XII to announce.

They are also breaking down UCF, it's value, it's brand, etc...they're pretty fair.

 

[spenser1058]

ESPN wades through the online nonsense and says how this is likely to work:

Big 12 expansion FAQ: Timeline, what new teams would add, Texas-Oklahoma impact and more
https://www.espn.com/college-football/insider/story/_/id/32161266/big-12-expansion-faq-line-new-teams-add-texas-oklahoma-impact-more

[spenser1058]

6 minutes ago, spenser1058 said:

ESPN wades through the online nonsense and says how this is likely to work:

Big 12 expansion FAQ: Timeline, what new teams would add, Texas-Oklahoma impact and more
https://www.espn.com/college-football/insider/story/_/id/32161266/big-12-expansion-faq-line-new-teams-add-texas-oklahoma-impact-more

What’s funny is the young Turks all assume it’s about the next step. Past a certain age (like where Gus is now), if you’ve beat Nick Saban (more than once), other things come into play.

It’s why Bobby passed up a couple of shots at ‘Bama and the HBC went to perpetual also-ran SC. Will Gus get the bug? Maybe (although LSU’s boosters are only marginally less obnoxious than Auburn’s).

The thing you’re missing is that Gus had UCF on his radar for a while. He chose it when he could easily have chosen Tenn, Vandy or Ole Miss. Maybe he’ll change his mind but Gus ain’t 30 and he can likely prove more by taking UCF to the next level than being the latest in the hot seat at LSU. We’ll see, but from what he’s said he’s looking in a different direction.

[jrs2]

21 minutes ago, spenser1058 said:

ESPN wades through the online nonsense and says how this is likely to work:

Big 12 expansion FAQ: Timeline, what new teams would add, Texas-Oklahoma impact and more
https://www.espn.com/college-football/insider/story/_/id/32161266/big-12-expansion-faq-line-new-teams-add-texas-oklahoma-impact-more

so, Houston is not out as a possible new team?

[spenser1058]

19 minutes ago, jrs2 said:

so, Houston is not out as a possible new team?

The Texas schools wish they’d fall into Galveston Bay but ESPN and FOX are like, “pass on Houston!?! Y’all are mental!” It’s one of the biggest cities in the country.

Here’s a fun tidbit - FedEx founder Fred Smith is p****d Memphis isn’t in and is making noise, even though the school’s academics are marginal at best and the city ain’t growing.

Edited September 8, 2021 by spenser1058

[spenser1058]

Let’s all join @jrs2 and @dcluley98this evening and check out “Our Time” on ESPN+ -all loyal Gators will want to check out “little* bro!
 

*Of course, as a pundit pointed out last week, it’s a bit odd to refer to a school with 70000 students as “little”…

Edited September 9, 2021 by spenser1058

[spenser1058]

Our Hometown National Champions approved unanimously to enter the Big XII along with BYU, Houston and Cincy.

Charge On!

[spenser1058]

“UCF  becomes the youngest Power Five team in all of college football. UCF began playing football in 1979 and has since jumped the ladder of college athletics thanks to years of success on the field“

From The Sentinel 

Guess the Knights didn’t take too long after all…

[dcluley98]

This is huge news, not just for sports fans, but the university, the City, and the greater Central Florida area as a whole. Bottom line is that being in the Big 12 will bring dollars to the university and in turn, investment back into the University and other money can be used for facilities such as CV. Additionally, it can create more investment and attention to central Florida as a whole.  There is a ripple effect to things like this that goes way beyond just football. 

[spenser1058]

2 hours ago, dcluley98 said:

This is huge news, not just for sports fans, but the university, the City, and the greater Central Florida area as a whole. Bottom line is that being in the Big 12 will bring dollars to the university and in turn, investment back into the University and other money can be used for facilities such as CV. Additionally, it can create more investment and attention to central Florida as a whole.  There is a ripple effect to things like this that goes way beyond just football. 

Thank you so much for this, especially for recognizing how huge this is not just for athletics and not just for UCF but for Orlando and the region as a whole. A university is an economic engine and UCF’s specialties in simulation, optics and yes rocket science are recognized far beyond East Orange. Ancillary strengths in computer science are also huge building blocks for the future.

There are very few people who haven’t been exposed to the UCF brand in a relatively short time (even if Dr. Colbourn made a grievous error in 1978 by changing the name, but that’s what happens with a president from across the country whose background was as a history prof that listened too closely to the whiners on the liberal arts side. Our specialties remain on the tech side, not with the English majors - but he’s forgiven for bringing football to us).

I confess I’ve been amazed by how many on this board are always looking for something that will put Orlando on the map besides The Mouse and HP, and yet here it’s happening and it’s mostly being ignored in these precincts.

It’s ironic that the folks in Tampa are paying more attention than we are.

The fact that UCF, one of the youngest universities in the country (and now the youngest P5 program) has made these strides by constantly moving forward is a striking counterpoint with how our downtown is content to fall behind with no idea of where we’re going or the will to get there.