CNNSI Mailbag Love

[JoeB]

This is a mailbag question for Stewart Mandel, www.cnnsi.com .  He's always been behind the Bulls.  Check out his response.

Stewart: With the recent lackluster seasons of Miami and FSU, I would have thought some of the "other" Florida I-A schools would have benefited, but FAU and FIU are terrible, UCF is mediocre and USF is just OK. Are the other Florida schools other than the big three doomed to seventh-place Sun Belt finishes forever?

--Chris, Sunrise, Fla.

That's certainly a valid observation; however, for one thing, I don't think you're giving USF enough credit -- that's a program that didn't exist a decade ago and now sits on the cusp of the top 25. I also think UCF will see its profile raise here soon what with its new stadium and the presence of George O'Leary. As for FAU and FIU, the problem is exactly what you pointed out -- the Sun Belt. Yes, there's more than enough talent in Florida to go around -- but you've got to be pretty low on the totem pole if your only option is the Sun Belt.

In actuality, the schools that have benefited most from FSU and Miami's struggles -- or perhaps have contributed to them -- aren't actually in the state of Florida. More schools than ever are making a concerted effort to recruit Florida hard, most notably Rutgers, which has marketed itself there as if it was part of the state. Florida talent has also dispersed in large numbers to such unlikely destinations as Louisville, Minnesota and N.C. State. The University of Florida, both under Ron Zook and Urban Meyer, has done a nice job of protecting its home turf -- hence why they just won a national championship. I'm sure that's already priority No. 1 amongst Miami and FSU's new staffs.

[___ Eats It]

Good pub, but news flash... O'Leary's been there three years and hasn't done dink.  A new stadium won't help win any games.

[crambone]

O'Leary has never lied...

[Rizman]

O'Leary is struggling

[E.T.]

O'Liar will destroy us.

;D