USF out to silence critics

[TyBull]

USF out to silence critics

TAMPA --On the cover of the University of South Florida 2007 football media guide the players and head coach Jim Leavitt are hoisting the Papajohns.Com Bowl trophy.

That picture signaled the end to a magical 2006 season, in which the Bulls defeated East Carolina for the school's first-ever bowl victory and finished with a 9-4 record.

The players and coaches are gushing with pride and confidence.

However, USF's standing goes no further than Tampa's Fowler Avenue.

Heading into the 2007 season, there are still doubters.

Doubts USF can be a Big East powerhouse, and doubts the Bulls can compete with conference favorites West Virginia and Louisville. USF has beaten both schools over the past two seasons, but still there are naysayers.

In 2007, the Bulls are picked to finish fourth in the Big East behind WVU, Louisville and Rutgers.

With 19 returning starters, including a Big East Rookie of the Year in sophomore quarterback Matt Grothe, the Bulls are feeling disrespected.

"Maybe, people feel we are moving up too fast," said senior wide receiver Amarri Jackson, a Sarasota Riverview graduate. "We have not been in the Big East that long, and we are working hard to get to the top, and that may have surprised some people, but we will show them."

On Tuesday, Tampa's Raymond James Stadium was buzzing as USF held its annual media day. Torrential downpours delayed team pictures for about 30 minutes, but the rain couldn't wash away the team's obvious moxie entering the season opener against Elon College on Sept. 1.

"Our expectations have always been high since I've been at South Florida," said head coach Jim Leavitt, who's entering his 10th season with the Bulls.

"We won our bowl game, and we have a lot of returning players, so I'm excited about it. I hope we get used to these kinds of things."

The only way to change the minds of the critics is win on a consistent basis. That means beating the teams rated ahead of them in the Big East, ending all speculation about who is the better team.

On the other hand, that's easier said than done.

The competition doesn't get much tougher than matchups against Auburn, West Virginia, Rutgers and Louisville.

That's when the Bulls must seize the opportunity to prove their worth.

"We are always down rated at the beginning of every season," said senior captain Mike Jenkins, a defensive back and 2003 Southeast High standout. "This is just motivation for us. It gives us more anger to play with."

Feeling disrespected or not, the Bulls are aiming for their first Big East title in '07.

"Of course," Jenkins said. "We are coming up real quick, and a lot people don't want to face that fact. If we come out and play our A (game) I won't put us below nobody."

USF's schedule

Sep. 1 - Elon, TBA

Sep. 8 - at Auburn, 9 p.m.

Sep. 22 - North Carolina, TBA

Sep. 28 - West Virginia, 8 p.m.

Oct. 6 - at Florida Atlantic, 4 p.m.

Oct. 13 - UCF, TBA

Oct. 18 - at Rutgers, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 27 - at Connecticut, TBA

Nov. 3 - Cincinnati, TBA

Nov. 10 - at Syracuse, TBA

Nov. 17 - Louisville, TBA

Nov. 24 - at Pittsburgh, TBA

http://www.bradenton.com/sports/story/118404.html

[BullsFanInTX]

Leavitt is entering his 11th season, not 10th.  Writer needs to double check facts.

[Guest]

Leavitt is entering his 11th season, not 10th.  Writer needs to double check facts.

Email him: rboyd@bradenton.com

[Bulls 8_va]

Good article...who are the where are all these naysayers?

I just want to point at them and yell, "NAYSAYER!!!"

GO BULLS!!!