Bianchi: Just end this series now, UCF can't compete

[Kizarvexis]

Mike Bianchi | Sentinel Columnist

7:12 PM EDT, October 13, 2007

Maybe UCF should start a rivalry with Edward Waters College.

Or Webber International.

Or some other in-state team more in its league -- like, say, Edgewater High School.

Or, better yet, if the Knights drop down to Division I-AA right now maybe they can compete with Appalachian State in about five years.

What exactly did the final score end up being, anyway? I quit paying attention when South Florida's third-team quarterback threw a touchdown pass. Oh, here it is on the post-game notes -- USF Bulls 64, UCF Gnats 12.

Let all of us who have pressured, prodded and pushed for USF to continue this annual series with UCF please cease and desist. And let everybody associated with UCF just be thankful that there is but one game left with USF.

This is, after all, getting embarrassing.

In fact, maybe the Knights should just forfeit next year's game and end this series now.

Before they get somebody hurt.

Tampa Tribune sportswriter Martin Fennelly put it best in his pre-game column Saturday when he referred to UCF as "The University of Central Bug on the Windshield."

And, so, that resounding splat you heard Saturday afternoon was insect intestines plastered on the grill of USF's runaway 18-wheeler. The last time USF scored more than 50 points in a game was four years ago against Charleston Southern. Now they've done it again -- against Orlando Eastern.

Let it be noted that the only three programs USF has ever beaten worse are Kentucky Wesleyan, Cumberland and Austin Peay. Congratulations, UCF, you put up more of a fight than Peay did.

USF was the oncoming freight train Saturday; UCF was the '83 Yugo conked out in the middle of the railroad tracks. USF was the wooden club; UCF was the skull of the baby seal. USF had 543 yards of total offense; UCF 145.

Sign held up by USF fan Saturday: "What does I-4 and UCF's offense have in common? It takes them both three hours to go 100 yards."

The War on I-4? Puh-leeze. This was the Bore on I-4. The Snore on I-4. The Run-Up-the-Score on I-4.

By the way, did I really pick UCF to win this game? Memo to Human Resources: You're welcome to take my urine sample first thing Monday morning, but I'm telling you the Walgreens pharmacist told me it was flaxseed oil.

This is what happens when you get sucked into the UCF delusion; when you actually start believing the Knights are on the same level as USF. In reality, what we saw Saturday is what typically happens when a BCS power plays a non-BCS patsy.

Let us not take anything away from USF. The Bulls are a good team, maybe even a great one. They are national championship contenders for a reason. Grothe should be a Heisman candidate. Defensive end George Selvie is virtually unblockable. And Jim Leavitt should be Florida State's next coach -- and the Seminoles might want to consider hiring him now.

But this isn't about how good USF is; it's about how bad UCF is. South Florida is the No. 5 team in the nation. UCF, right now, doesn't even look like No. 5 team in Conference USA. The sad fact is that Division I-AA Elon was more competitive against USF earlier in the season. And so was Florida Atlantic last week.

After such an embarrassing loss in such an important game, you have to start questioning the direction of the UCF program under Coach George O'Leary. Not only is he now 0-3 against USF, but his team yielded more points Saturday than any team in UCF's Division I-A history. Here we are in Year 4 of the O'Leary era and -- at least right now -- his team looks no better than it did in Year 1. And, yes, the Knights were 0-11 in Year 1.

O'Leary is supposed to be a defensive genius, but his team has given up 116 points in the last two games. O'Leary is supposed to teach sound, fundamental football, but his team has committed 18 turnovers in six games, eight in the past two weeks.

UCF President John Hitt was obviously disappointed in the loss Saturday, but said he is still behind O'Leary.

"George is my kind of coach," Hitt said. "He's going to build us a great program."

He had better get started ASAP, because the clock is ticking.

Just a few short weeks ago, the biggest controversy Hitt faced was a lack of water fountains at UCF's new stadium.

Now the program will likely face a much more daunting, debilitating problem:

A lack of fans.

[Grateful Dad]

OUCH!!!!

[puc86]

Wow that is sad :'(

[GoBulls84]

Wow. That's amazing coming from that guy

[Economics_Nerd82]

Did you hear that sound?

That was the sound of Bianchi jumping on to our bandwagon. What a tool! We don't want you Bianchi. We know you. You are neither hot nor cold and because you are luke warm we will spew you from our mouths!

[BullAdrian]

Did Bianchi attend RayJay?

[Economics_Nerd82]

Did Bianchi attend RayJay?

He said he was awhile back in a chatroom. So, I presume so.

[Qbanbull]

Did you hear that sound?

That was the sound of Bianchi jumping on to our bandwagon. What a tool! We don't want you Bianchi. We know you. You are neither hot nor cold and because you are luke warm we will spew you from our mouths!

Ouch!!! Eco...

Bianchi, is a fool. But do you expect from a "columnist" and from all places the "Sentinel". They are all leeches trying to make a name for themselves off of/from the sweat and hard work of others.

Never read his junk and never will.

[Grateful Dad]

After what he wrote about Leavitt last year, he better never come anywhere near the bandwagon or Jim will back it over him.

[Jamie]

What a hypocrite Bianchi is!! From his article:

This is what happens when you get sucked into the UCF delusion; when you actually start believing the Knights are on the same level as USF.

You mean, like you did last year, and again when you actually picked UCF to win this game?  :Duh