Many Conference USA teams are becoming bitter rivals for South Florida, but USF fans also might want to hold in reserve a big chunk of anger - at least for this season - for two other schools.
Baylor and Eastern Michigan.
Those two dropped USF from games this fall in February, a disrespectfully late date. It left the Bulls scrambling since almost all Division I-A schools already were booked. USF was down to nine of a possible 12 games and four home games out of a desired six.
Potential games at Kansas State and Troy State, or home vs. I-AA schools Western Illinois and Maine fell through, as did a four-year series pitched to USF by Marshall athletic director Bob Marcum (Kansas State and Marshall worked out a series with each other). USF athletic director Lee Roy Selmon added two home games, both against Division I-AA schools, Charleston Southern and Nicholls State. It seemed to salvage something from a bad situation - except that it might end up costing USF a bowl bid.
It is called NCAA Bylaw 30.9.2.2.1. It says, essentially, that for a win against a I-AA school to count toward the minimum six wins required to participate in a bowl game (I-A schools are allowed to count a win vs. a I-AA school toward their overall total once every four years), that I-AA school's team must average 60 financial aid equivalencies - i.e. scholarships - the previous three years.
Nicholls State and Charleston Southern don't meet the criteria. So, in other words, USF could finish 7-4 overall, 5-3 in C-USA and be in line for one of C-USA's five bowl slots, but it would forfeit the slot because two wins won't count.
It is unfortunate for many reasons. For starters, Nicholls State is a respectable program that was ranked No. 17 in I-AA last season. Second, Nicholls State has issued more than 60 scholarships this year and last (the maximum allowed for I-AA schools is 63), athletic director Rob Bernardi said. But its average from 2000-02, which is what counts, is below 60.
"Let's be optimistic and plan that the (I-AA wins) won't be needed," USF associate athletic director for compliance Steve Horton said. "Let's go out and win six games (in the conference)."
A waiver can be granted "when a unique or catastrophic situation affects the Division I-AA school" and prevents it from meeting the scholarship criteria. USF (3-2, 2-1 in C-USA) can apply to the NCAA for the waiver if it otherwise qualifies for a bowl.
GOLDEN GIRLS: USF has 18 football recruiting hosts this season, dubbed the Golden Belles. In recent seasons, the Bulls have had a loosely organized group assisting with visiting high school prospects during home weekends, but this is the first official organization.
Director of football operations Larry Antonucci credits USF graduate student Kimberly Hannah, a second-team All-Hillsborough softball player at Berkeley Prep in 1998 and Florida State graduate, with pulling it together. Hannah also is a maid in the Gasparilla Court for 2003.
"Coach (Jim) Leavitt has always wanted to do it, but he wanted to do it right," Antonucci said. "Kimberly has taken charge and established things."
HOOPS MADNESS: Basketball practice tips off tonight with Midnight Mania at the Sun Dome. The pre-party starts outside at 10, festivities begin inside at 11 and the women's and men's team scrimmage begin about 10 minutes apiece shortly after midnight.
- Pete Young covers USF sports. He can be reached at 813 226-3346 or via e-mail at young@sptimes.com
