South Florida's Off-season Perks Interest in 2009 Season

Within a couple weeks of an otherwise unexciting trip to the inaugural St. Petersburg Bowl, Bulls fans have a lot to look forward to next season.  2008 was a disappointment; good news was needed and delivered.

First, junior defensive end George Selvie announced he would return for his senior season.  Selvie, an all Big-East selection became an NFL draft prospect his sophomore season after leading the nation in tackles for loss with 31.5 and accumulating 14.5 sacks along the way.

Selvie injured an ankle early in the season and faced double or triple teams on more than half of his plays from scrimmage.  This led to smaller numbers and a slip in his projected draft status, which ultimately resulted in his decision to return to the Bulls.

Today, as reported elsewhere on Bleacher Report, the Bulls inked a deal to play a home-and-home with Florida State.  FSU had been the last of the "Big 3" in Florida to schedule the Bulls.

In 2009, the Bulls travel to Tallahassee and host Miami at home in Raymond James Stadium.  Over the next six seasons, the Bulls will play Miami five times, and Florida and FSU twice each. 

You can find the Bulls' future schedules here and see fan reaction here. 

Bulls fans are looking for the next bit of good news to come on the recruiting front.  Some feel recruiting has been endangered by the 2-5 Big East record and complete drop from any Top 25 poll. 

Will the Bulls be able to continue to build the state's youngest BCS program and challenge the Big 3?  Can the series with Miami, Florida, and FSU be leveraged in the recruiting battles?  I'll analyze these issues and more in my next instalment.