In Tampa this past Thursday and Friday, football coaches from the state of Florida met for the annual Florida Sports Writers Association Media Days.
As usual, Howard Schnellenberger did what he does best: He avoided “coach speak” and made some colorful and candid remarks. But then, in what appeared to be an attempt to draw attention to his program, Coach Schnellenberger bit off more than he could chew.
When a reporter made mention of the state’s traditional “Big Three,” Schnellenberger became irritated and cut in, saying, "Wait a minute. How about the Big Seven?”
While Florida State and Miami have clearly lost their luster, Schnellenberger’s assertion that UCF, FAU, and FIU are on the same level as the other state teams is just plain silly.
I have no issue with throwing USF (South Florida) into the mix. The Bulls, in my opinion, are clearly a better team than both FSU and Miami, and would give Florida a run for the money as well.
But UCF (Central Florida), FAU (Florida Atlantic), and FIU (Florida International)?
Spreading his hands about an inch apart, Schnellenberger declared, "We're only about this far apart. All of us. And y'all better get used to it.”
Gosh, I wish I could have been in the room at that moment.
Coach Schnellenberger has made a lot of fans over the years by turning around programs and bucking traditional football trends. But Schnellenberger must realize that this is not 1983. What were once quirky and funny comments are now bordering on “crazy old guy” status.
Let’s start with FIU and UCF.
Florida International is an embarrassing 1-22 in the last two years. After going 0-21, FIU somehow sprang an upset on North Texas in the final game of last season.
The only other news FIU football has made was its despicable brawl with Miami in 2006.
Case closed.
As for UCF: Two years ago, Florida blanked UCF 42-0 in a game that was over by halftime. Up 34-0 at the break, Florida put everyone but the team manager in during a boring second half. The Knights managed a meager 153 total yards on the night.
Last season, Jim Leavitt’s South Florida Bulls destroyed them 64-12, making the Knights 0-2 against USF. This “rivalry” has one more year to its agreement this season. If UCF doesn’t put up a fight in year three, it’s likely these two won’t meet again anytime soon.
Sure, UCF’s record was 10-4 last year, and they almost pulled a shocker against Texas. But for a team that racked up 36 points a game, and a school record 62 touchdowns, the Knights were held to three points in a 10-3 loss to Mississippi State in the Liberty Bowl.
And then there’s always that pesky 0-18 all-time record versus ranked opponents.
Finally, we come to Schnellenberger’s FAU squad. Yes, the Owls won the Sun Belt and their first ever bowl game last season.
58 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Joseph Morgan 11 months ago
Well-written article. I agree. Schnellenberger has no basis to even compare FAU, UCF, or FIU to other programs in the state of Florida. FAU had a decent year last season, but Schnellenberger needs to have sustained success at FAU before he opens his mouth and says this. Good read.
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Tim Pollock 11 months ago
Thanks for the read, Joseph.
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Dave Speaking 11 months ago
Dude... he's not saying there is a Big Seven now, he's saying there can eventually BE a Big Seven because the Other Four are building up.
From a facilities standpoint, USF has a great facility, UCF just built a brand new 45k seater, FIU has a new (but small) stadium and FAU's 30k seater will go up in 2010.
Better facilities put all the Other Four in a position to recruit better players. USF is getting commits from 4 star players, UCF is getting looks from those guys, FAU and FIU are signing multiple three star players. When FAU gets a stadium on campus in 2010, they'll get looks from 4 star guys too.
The talent level is rising.
When the talent rises, it certainly raises the possibilities of more OOC wins, which means more respect and possible realignment in a BCS conference. If FAU or UCF continue to do well, they could be asked in the near future to join the Big East as a football-only member and their stock will shoot up considerably.
FIU will get better (they're recruiting well from excellent Miami high school football teams) but I don't see them getting a higher spot than CUSA. I don't think they're going to beat the trajectories of UCF and FAU to contend for a spot in the BE.
So why not a Big Seven... or at least a Big Six? Is it really all that ridiculous? Is it any more ridiculous than historic Notre Dame falling from grace or Miami losing... what... 45-0 to Virginia or anything else that's shaking up the football landscape?
People have always said there is more than enough talent in this state to support all the Div.1 teams. Whether it can support them all to wins over ranked BCS opponents on national TV or allow them to contend for a NC remains to be seen and shouldn't be swatted down so easily just because it's convenient to believe that Florida only has 3 great football teams.
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Tim Pollock 11 months ago
Perhaps you misunderstood--both me and Schnellenberger. In my opinion, USF is number 2 in the state right now, and they do not even have a stadium on campus. They use the Bucs' stadium. In half the time, they have vaulted past UCF. USF is already stealing players from The Big Three--and sending players to the league consistently.
O'Leary has been at UCF for 4 years, and the improvement still isn't there. He has two bowl appearances and no bowl wins. They've been D-1 for 12 years and still haven't beaten a ranked team.
FIU is going to get better? Well how could they get worse?
As for FAU, Schnellenberger is 74. Why would he be talking about what they could be--dude only has a few years left. As for his statements about The Big 7, the guy said, "We're only about this far apart." He truly thinks they are there...
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Lisa Horne 11 months ago
Great read Tim. I happen to love Schnellenberger, and yeah, he's a bit quirky. But he can turn around teams fast and has a handful of rings to prove it.
I honestly believe FAU will be a major force in a few years- there's so much talent in Florida, some of those boys may not want to leave the Sunshine State but aren't good enough to play at the Big 3. FAU is the perfect solution. Plus, he's a helluva coach.
It's weird...he's so dapper and elegant in appearance, then says some off-the-wall things. It's puzzling for sure, but I like him.
This was a great read and although I don't necessarily agree with everything you said about him, it was a terrific write-up. Major props- I love it when writers take a stance on how they feel about a coach, team or player. You have guts!
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Lisa Horne 11 months ago
POTD from me!
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J. Michael Morris 11 months ago
Good article, press conference B.S. on both sides of the spectrum is enraging. Where are the journalists to follow up these assertations on the spot?
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BabyTate 11 months ago
Tim, you know he is a direct coaching descendent of Bryant. Who can understand those guys, even Mike Riley says bizarre things. The Bryant crowd walks to the beat of their own drummer.
Great article with thought provoking ideas.
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Evan Wiley 11 months ago
Well there was lots of Hawaii hype at the time. He just jumped on the Colt Brennan bandwagon with everyone else. Hawaii was also undefeated at the time. I figure being undefeated was Hal Mumme's justification as well, and honestly at the end of the regular season, it's a reasonable thing to do.
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Tim Pollock 11 months ago
Fair enough. But considering he was the only one who voted that way--and the way things turned out against GA--it looks like the other coaches knew the deal.
That list has some crazy stuff. The Bowdens apparently hate Bob Stoops; I guess from his time at FL. Stoops was a little shady himself, though, putting LSU at 8.
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C L 11 months ago
Just another reason why the opinion of coachs is absolutely a ridiculous thing to take into account in athletics. Its like asking the parents of kindergartners what they would rank the children in the class.
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Thomas Brown 11 months ago
Good article, and while I agree with you that CF and FAU cant be placed with the "big 3", they are certainly gaining ground while both FSU and Mia are moving backwards.
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C L 11 months ago
The reality is the only thing stopping FAU, UCF, and FIU from competing on even terms with the Big 3 or 4 is that they are non-BCS teams. If you can't even play for a National Championship you obviously are going to lose out on alot of great players. The only reason USF jumped UCF, aside from a good coach, was the fact that they were in the right place at the right time to slide their way into the Big East. If it had been UCF instead and USF was still stuck in CUSA their stories would likely be inverted. Put all 7 teams in the BCS, give them 5 years and that distance would be an inch, and you know it.
Did FAU lose to big names? Yes.
Did they score 20 points against UF and pull their first string in the second half knowing that it was the following game against Troy that mattered? Yes.
Were they 3 missed field goals away from beating a top 10 team in USF? YES.
Is it our fault that the Big10 team we chose to play ended up got wrecked the rest of the season? No.
Does FAU have much of a choice in terms of Bowl Games? NO.
And our rivalry with FIU, sure its been lopsided but they are recovering...and should do much better in the coming years under Cristobal.
Howard says these things because he's inspiring his team to greatness. He did it at Miami, he did it Louisville. Nobody in their right mind believes that FAU can beat Texas Aug 30.....BUT if Howard can convince the team then you might have something there. Every other bodybag game in the past was admittedly "advanced training" with the understanding that we were a FCS team learning how to play FBS opponents.
Few believed that UM could beat Nebraska in 83, but Howard only had to convince his team, not everyone else.
And I dont know if youve seen or met Howard in person but I don't appreciate you implying that he is close to the grave. The guy is alive with energy for the only team in his storied career that is all his. Is it any wonder he took off his Miami National Championship ring and replaced it with the FAU Sun Belt/New Orleans Bowl Ring.
Other than that, I appreciate your dissent from the usual lovefest and I agree with you that they need to put up, its the shutting up part that I have a problem with.
Cheers,
A Loyal FAU Owl Fan
GO OWLS! BEAT TEXAS!
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Tim Pollock 11 months ago
C,
I appreciate the response from a loyal FAU fan. There aren't too many on this site, so your opinion is valued.
First, I disagree about UCF and USF. UCF never had a gameplan, their AD was awful, and their head coaches were awful. Now that they have their administration in order, things are getting better. On the flip side, USF had a great plan and hired a proven man in Jim Leavitt. Fortunately for them, he stuck it out and is still with them. It's not like the Big East had to invite them; USF earned it--and quickly.
Not sure I ever implied Coach Schnellenberger was close to the grave, but if so, my bad. Not my intention. But, in my humble opinion, the man could use some humble pie. His comments and his votes are way off, and I'm not sure he's really in tune with the rest of the college football world. Again, just my take. Never met the guy; never will.
The bad part about the Owls' exposure is that the secret is out. I can't imagine they will be sneaking up on anyone. If they can pull off a few upsets early on, it would be exciting, that's for sure.
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C L 11 months ago
I guess the point I was making with the UCF/USF comparison was really what made USF was the BCS invite. CUSA can't get to a #2 ranking plain and simple and USF has been blessed in that respect.
Howard's votes alot of times reflect the change in the system he believes in (although they are obviously wrong, and I dont agree with them). In that respect I can see them as a protest of sorts against a corrupt BCS system which, without shame, disenfranchises half of FBS. The sad part is the have-nots take it with a smile on their face thanks to those same body bag games you site (and the paychecks that come with them). The reason FAU fans need to believe that we can beat Texas or anyone else in the nation, is because we would like to flip this whole BCS system on its head, and alot of other midmajors feel the same way deep down.
Howard is not a conventional head coach, and if you take his words as arrogant, I think you miss the point. Hes not trying to be arrogant, hes trying to be inspirational. If we lost to Texas this August people will say "well that figures" and all this hyperbole on Howard's part will have been just that. But if Howard inspires us fans and most of all his team to victory....well there you have it. He didnt turn UM into a powerhouse with just recruiting or special tactics. He took a team on the verge of being dissolved and inspired it and the community around it to win. Same at Louisville where he took a team that they literally were giving tickets away with a tank of gas and got them to beat Alabama in the the Fiesta Bowl.
I dunno, its the rush of being with a team from its inception that very few other fans will ever know. Howard's motto "To Believe is to be Strong" is the message to a congregation, not a bunch of football fans.
By your avatar I assume you are a SC fan...well we will be seeing you guys in 2009...just don't expect the same body bag team from 06.
Cheers.
GO OWLS! BEAT TEXAS!
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Justin Goar 11 months ago
tim,
this is awesome.
S-berger is probably the worst voter there is among the coaches. i really dislike the guy and for some reason he really dislikes my alma mater.
you make great points that needed to be brought up.
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Tim Pollock 11 months ago
Thanks, Justin.
Berg-man seems to have a disdain for the SEC in general. Every SEC team on his ballot was ranked worse than their actual spot.
That said, it does go both ways. Some of Spurrier's votes were head-scratchers at best.
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BabyTate 11 months ago
Howard played in the SEC at Kentucky. Howard was an All-American tight end at Kentucky playing for both Bear Bryant and Blanton Collier. Howard is the man who brought Joe Namath to Alabama, he is the man who recruited him. He was responsible for running the Alabama offense during the 1961, 1964, and 1965 national championship seasons in Tuscaloosa. This is a brilliant man with the record and background to prove it. It was Howard who was the offensive coordinator for the only undefeated NFL team in history, the 1972 Miami Dolphins. It was Howard who prepared the brilliant man-trap offensive game plan that defeated the supposedly invincible Nebraska Cornhuskers of 1983 for the National Championship and created the Miami dynasty.
Whatever Howard says is the way it is. Disregard those coaches whom he dwarfs with his lifetime of accomplishments.
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Tim Pollock 11 months ago
Interesting.
Tate bringing the knowledge and history lesson! You are a football encyclopedia, my man.
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L.J. Burgess 11 months ago
Howard is the schiznit ain't he!
I rarely pay much mind to CFB post '85 other than highlights but I do remember him putting South Florida on the football map both Pro and College. He was on the tip of every football fan's tongue back in the day.
A HOF coach no doubt.
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Jake Harding 11 months ago
UCF fans are in utter dismay that they haven't been invited to a BCS conference yet; they believe the Big East is just a couple of minutes away from extending an offer. Sure they have the facilities and the attendance, which is good 'cause conferences are about money.
But what about their record?
They have two BCS wins -- Alabama in 2000 and NC State in 2007. They have one conference title. They have no bowl wins. They only put 3 points on one of the lower-achieving SEC teams and that was WITH one of the nation's top RBs (maybe he was #1... I don't remember or care). All-Americans? Only really relevant the year they play. NFL Drafts? Doesn't mean much since even FIU has had people drafted.
So unless I'm forgetting something, that is all they've achieved on the field in nearly 30 years.
Could they be good in the BCS? Sure but FAU could just as easily be good in the Big East. The difference is that FAU coaches know how to squeeze blood from a stone and make history while doing so. That's why FAU is constantly considered the youngest team to ever ___(fill in the blank here)___. No one seems to know the youngest team to ever win a National Championship but if you put FAU into a BCS conference so they could have a legitimate shot at it, I'm certain they'd be the ones to set the record.
GO OWLS!
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Tim Pollock 11 months ago
Good comments about UCF, Jake. I agree.
About FAU, though, they had a great guide in USF, whose rise was just as fast. I think the Owls need to fare better against the big boys before the 'youngest team to win an NC' talk continues...just my two cents.
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L.J. Burgess 11 months ago
5 Star read all the way.
Never heard of FAU but I know Howard... he got you writing and me reading so... He WINS!
Mission Accomplished!
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Tim Pollock 11 months ago
Thanks, LJ.
I guess you are right. The Coach wins.
I think this is what "C" has been trying to tell me for 2 days.
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C L 11 months ago
"That may be so, but what happened to Coach Schnellenberger’s mojo when reporters brought up his alleged guaranteed win over Texas?
"I've been quoted as saying we were going to beat Texas," Schnellenberger said. "I was misquoted. I only said that if we work hard and practice to our capabilities, we have a chance to win the game.”
Backpedaling, anyone? "
Tim, do you have a source for the alleged guaranteed win you claim Howard made? And how can he be backpedaling if you admit that the unsourced quote is alleged. Heres a quote for you:
Reporter: You have said you feel your team is at the stage where it can compete with any team you play. Do you really think you can match up against Texas and Michigan State?
Howard: "Those will be dogfights and we will be the slightly smaller canine, but we are battle tested and will rise to the challenge."
Orlando Sentinel - July 17, 2008
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Tim Pollock 11 months ago
C,
I don't want to get into a "source" war (and I do not have a quotation, for the record), but typically when someone says they were "misquoted," that means they either said what they denied or said something similar.
Seems odd that he can talk about the Big 7, brag about being the only FL team to win a bowl game, give UF no respect in the polls, and then turn around and give the standard coachspeak "If we try hard, practice, execute, etc. we have a chance to win."
In the quotation you provided, he is claiming his big games will be dogfights. Dogfights are close games that come down to the wire. Do you believe him? Let's not beat around the bush here: Which games will FAU win against Texas, UAB, Mich. St, and Minnesota?
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Brent Parker 11 months ago
I guess he is trying to get recruits thinking that there isn't a difference between the schools. Florida is as far from FAU as Harold Miner is from Michael Jordan. FAU can recruit some of that Florida talent, but it will take years to close that gap.
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Jake 11 months ago
After the New Orleans Bowl win, Howard Schnellenberger said, "I am confident we can match up to the level of the Longhorns."
Now, I read every single thing that comes out about FAU and Schnellenberger and I don't ever recall him saying they would outright win. He said we'd match up... and why shouldn't he? Look what Arkansas State did to Texas. Look at what UCF did to Texas. We're on par with those teams if not better. Texas doesn't defend well against the pass and reportedly has a very green secondary. FAU took this same team and took USF to the wire.
So why shouldn't he be confident?
If FAU beats Texas it will be a narrow margin of victory (1-3 points). FAU has a better chance against MSU... look at the line from Vegas for instance. I think it was MSU by one TD. That means they're predicting a struggle... or at least a shoout. With Rusty Smith and a very steady WR crew (look out for this guy named Lestar Jean), not to mention a backup QB that's just as good as Rusty and not afraid to haul ass to make a first down himself, we're in a good position.
Do they outrecruit us? Sure. Do they have a difficult game atmosphere to play in because of all the fans? Absolutely.
You'll know right away if they rise to the challenge. Games against UK and UF were determined in the first quarter. If FAU sticks with Texas and Michigan State into the half, expect an exciting finish.
Minnesota and UAB will be easy. The games against Troy and ULM have me more worried.
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Tim Pollock 11 months ago
Minnesota will be easy? A Big 10 team wants to get embarrassed by a Sun Belt team again--at home no less?
So far I have FAU fans saying two wins against UAB and Minnesota. Straddling the fence on the two tough games.
I already know what Arkansas State and UCF did when they faced Texas. I'm asking if FAU will win or lose against Texas, for that is all that matters--not margin of deficit.
For the record, FAU stuck with FL for the entire 1st half--they were down 28-20 with 1:13 left in the half. It was the scoreless 2nd half that buried them.
FAU did not show the ability to stop teams with good offenses last year, and I don't think they'll be able to stop Texas in the opener.
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C L 11 months ago
Minnesota wasn't embarrassed by the best Sun Belt team, they were embarrassed by their conference foe Northwestern (among many others), they were embarrassed even more by FCS North Dakota State "at home no less".
The UF game, just like everyother game before that against major opponents was done for two reasons. A paycheck and "advanced training". We have been FBS for what 3 years, cut us a little slack if we are still using FCS recruited players to win games. The idea of these bodybag games is now over as far as Howard is concerned and now scheduling will focus less on these and more on a balance of difficult and less difficult opponents for OOC games.
Did we suffer against teams with great offense last year? Yes and no. USF was a game we would have won if not for special teams (not saying that makes a difference, we still lost) but we did manage Grothe and the USF offense...lots of turnovers our way, and thats how we survived on defense last year.
Now our defense, which lost 2 of our veteran linemen early last season, is now healthy and experienced and has played Florida and Kentucky and Oklahoma State and Troy (the best team not to go to a bowl in 2007) and can defeat a suspect Texas offense that now has lost its all-star running back (our biggest weakness was the run).
The team will have to perform flawlessly and force Texas mistakes but playing in the first game of the season is our advantage and we can beat them. Michigan State can be beaten also, but again will require a great game. Anywhere between 8-4 and 11-1 to end the regular season and return to the New Orleans Bowl to continue Howard's undefeated bowl legacy.
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Justin Hokanson 11 months ago
Have to give you credit, writing an article about Florida Atlantic must have been hard. Are you a fan?
I didn't know there was any interest in what Florida Atlantic did or not.
Interesting though.
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Tim Pollock 11 months ago
Not a fan in any way. But with the way Troy has played some SEC teams, it's hard to overlook the Sun Belt these days. Plus Schnellenberger is such a character.
Thanks for the read and comment.
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L.J. Burgess 11 months ago
Can I pick 'em or what?
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Tim McGhee 11 months ago
Good job, Tim!
You know more than I do about Howard and his votes and media day appearances. However, I think that if any coach can lead an upset over a team like Texas, it's Howard. Appalachian State has provided college football the Hole-In-One Syndrome, so now everyone thinks they can do it. We shall see.
Anyway, you're pick of the day.
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Tim Pollock 11 months ago
Thanks for the read and comments.
I'm definitely looking forward to the Texas game. I hope the App. State type upsets continue this year...
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Big Joe 11 months ago
Unless you are a blind Schnellenberger fan, there is little one can say, except, well done. Well documented, well built case. If someone did this for each ridiculous, flamboyant, publicity seeking comment Howard makes, it would just inspire him to make more. He needs the attention. Never the less, a proper analysis for CFB respect in Florida has been made. Once again, well done.
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Mark Stephenson 11 months ago
Tim,
this was very well written, entertaining and a great read.
good job
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Tim Pollock 11 months ago
Thanks for the kind words and the read, Mark.
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Lenn Sakatas Media Assassin 11 months ago
FAU is returning 20 guys. That can't hurt.
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Tim Pollock 11 months ago
I've heard that a lot. But those guys gave up a ton of points. Maybe it can hurt.
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Jonathan Arnoza 11 months ago
"Those guys" spent the majority of Spring practice developing defenses against the run and were able to successfully get to the QB during 7-on-7's. FAU's defensive guys know what their weakness was last year.
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Tim Pollock 11 months ago
So does Florida's. That doesn't mean they'll be any good.
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Eric Brown 11 months ago
Great article. And to see 40-something comments about FAU is amazing. Goooo internet!
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Ryan W 11 months ago
I wonder if there were morons writing articles like this when the unranked Hurricanes (after almost losing the entire football program) went into Happy Valley and beat #1 Penn State as Howard had promised. If you have not recognized the parity in college football that has come about in the last 5 seasons....you need to stop writing articles. FAU vs. FSU this season at a nuetral location would be about a 5-7 point spread with FSU being the favorite...I guess Howard was right when he said the gap isn't all that large. Furthermore, I would love to see FAU play Miami this year....I think Howard would remind them of the coach they used to have when FAU beat them.
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Tim Pollock 11 months ago
So you did see the scores from the FLA, Kentucky, and Ok. State games, right? Gap isn't that large?
All of this conjecture is pointless. FAU lovers out there throw out this "We're competitive because..." rhetoric, but no one makes an actual claim or prediction.
Are you saying FAU will beat Texas? Will they beat Minnesota? Michigan State? Get off the fence and make a statement. If you want to talk point spreads, go to Vegas.
They might close the gap in the next few years, but it's not there yet. Arguing otherwise, to me, is ignoring facts.
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Lenn Sakatas Media Assassin 11 months ago
FAU will beat Minnesota. They don't have an offense, so the Owls don't have to worry about stopping it.
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Tim Pollock 9 months ago
Gosh I'd love to hear from some FAU fans right now.
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C L 7 months ago
You can hear from me I guess.
I really don't know why you hate FAU so much, but we are going to another bowl...thats 2 bowls in our 5 years of eligibility. And this one we had to pull a rabbit our of a hat for. Say what you will about our season, our losses...I can say what I will about key injuries, and teams that overachieved (Michigan State, Minnesota, even Troy with its what 4th string QB), but FAU is here to stay, and we will see you guys next year!
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Tim Pollock 7 months ago
Injuries! I love it.
Let me guess: You also had a bunch of freshmen and sophomores playing.
Welcome to college football.
I don't hate your team; I hate when old coaches run their mouths and then get exposed for being poor teams. The big 7? Are you serious?
Looking forward to your visit.
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C L 7 months ago
Scratch that, we have only been full members since the 2005 season so only 4 years that we could participate in bowls. Thats 50% of our seasons we have gone to a bowl. And when we were in FCS we made it to #4 in the polls and the quarterfinals of the playoffs. This is an amazing team, even when it underachieves.
Cheers
GO OWLS!
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C L 7 months ago
I don't really know where your vitriol comes from, especially towards Howard. Any Alabama, Louisville, Kentucky, Miami, or Miami Dolphin fan would say he was a great coach. Did you go to Oklahoma? The guy is from a different era, I mean he recruited Joe Namath for christsake. The guy speaks differently, he recruits differently (notice how Rivals, Scout, etc have us with zero recruits), and he wins differently. He is a great coach and we are glad to have him.
As I said before, and I stand behind it, the limitations in there being a Big 7 in Florida are structural, namely the BCS and its inherent 2-class system. USF may have had wins but, unless I remember incorrectly, they did not beat a BCS team until they were already in the Big East (2005). The year before they were picked up they were 4-7. That means it took them, what 5 years in FBS to beat a BCS team. FAU did it in 3. Give the Owls a slot in the Big East and the difference would be immense. USF is a big time player now, but they were beating up on little schools and taking beatings from BCS schools until they got in the Big East.
You need to relax about FAU and Howard.
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Tim Pollock 7 months ago
It appears, you, sir, are the one who needs to relax about FAU and Howard.
If a 4-3 Sun Belt team would rip up the Big East, then Troy would win the National Championship.
In 2003, USF beat Louisville, Cincinnati, and East Carolina.
In 2004, USF beat TCU.
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C L 7 months ago
Louisville, Cincy, East Carolina, and TCU were conference teams! C-USA, not BCS in any way.
I didn't say the Sun Belt can rip up the Big East, Jesus Christ you are thick-skulled. I said that if FAU were in the Big East, i.e. it became a BCS team, then recruiting and hence wins against other BCS teams would follow. Since the Sun Belt is not a BCS conference it cannot recruit against teams that have a shot at a National Championship and/or a $17M paycheck for a BCS bowl.
As we have seen, going undefeated, even with wins against BCS teams (See the Mountain West) does not get you a shot at the national championship if you aren't a BCS conference. Troy could go undefeated, with its usual OOC schedule against Big12, Big10, and SEC teams and would still never get as high as USF did in 2007....because they aren't BCS.
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Tim Pollock 7 months ago
So how does that make FAU's 6-6 season a success again?
Please refrain from taking the Lord's name in vain, dude.
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C L 7 months ago
It is a success because the goal of the season was to go to another bowl. End of story.
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C L 7 months ago
Look man, I know you are upset about the whole Clemson thing, and your own disappointing 7-5 season (4-4 in your conference, which since you mentioned it, is worse than FAU's conference record), I just don't know where in your history you decided to take notice of FAU and then start hating them. Why not San Jose State or something?
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Tim Pollock 7 months ago
Perhaps reread the article or something.
But good call on the South Carolina thing. You guys are going to crush us, Nebraska, and USF!
Does San Jose State have an old coach who talks smack about how good his average team is and makes a mockery of the coaches polls? If so, I'll jump all over them...
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C L 7 months ago
You need to check the Coaches Poll this year and see who is making a mockery of it. Urban Meyer has Ole Miss at 12....1/3 of the coaches didn't think Ole Miss should be ranked. Aside from that Missouri's coach is all over the place. Howard didn't make a mockery of the polls this year so hold your tongue.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/graphics/coaches_fb_poll_2008/flash.htm
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