Gameday USF: The More You Know

Brian Kelly is very lucky to have won that game this past Saturday.  He must have eaten his Lucky Charms for breakfast because Pitt really gave the game away.  Also, Michael Floyd was reported missing in the state of Indiana today.

That is all.

The Rundown

University of Pittsburgh

(2 - 2)

VS.

University of Iowa

(4 - 0)

Location: Heinz Field - Pittsburgh, PA

Kickoff: 8:00PM

Weather at Kickoff: 59°, Wind 8mph SSW, 10% chance of rain

Heinz Field Turf: Amazingly it's still green

TV Coverage: ESPN

Announcers: Rece Davis, Craig James, Jesse Palmer, Jenn Brown

Radio Coverage: 93.7 FM - The Fan Pittsburgh

All-Time Series: Pitt leads 5 - 3

Last Meeting: November 20th, 2010, Pitt 17 - USF 10

Vegas Line: USF -2.5, 51 over/under

Forget the past two weeks, forget the warm-up games against Buffalo and Maine, the season starts today.  The first BIG EAST foe of the year arrives at Heinz Field arrives tonight.  Wipe the slates clean, we're still 0-0 in conference play - the season isn't over, it's about to begin.  To win the BIG EAST Pitt needs to win this game, there's no ifs, ands, or buts about it.  Win this game, and its likely that the BIG EAST Championship is the same game it was last year, the Backyard Brawl.  Speaking of the Backyard Brawl: WVU fans are keeping it classy in Morgantown as always.  Let's save that hate for another day though, now you South Florida...

I have a special piece of anger reserved for South Florida.  September 8, 2001 was the 2nd Pitt game at Heinz Field.  At the time South Florida had just jumped up to Division 1A (now called FBS) football.  It was supposed to be an easy win, a cakewalk, 2001's Maine game...oh wait.  Well, at least we beat Maine this year.  South Florida came in and upset Pitt 35-26.  I remember the game well, I had field level seats in the endzone (you know, the ones that are never used anymore).  I harassed a player with the last name of Knuckles to the point he complained to the ref about the verbal bashing.  Good times, good times.  I haven't forgotten that, and even though Pitt has gone 5 and 2 over South Florida since that game it still leaves a bitter feeling. So here's what we know about South Florida:

University Website: http://www.usf.edu
Athletics Website: http://www.gousfbulls.com
Behind Enemy Blogs: Voodoo Five | The Bull Rush

The University of South Florida is pretty young University, being founded in 1956 - however classes didn't actual start until 1960.  Pitt had won 8 national championships by that time, just sayin.  That being said USF is the 8th largest university in the country and 3rd largest in Florida.  What does that mean?  A lot of people like to go to college in Florida, my guess is it has something to do with Spring Break.  Side note: dont' Google Image search Spring Break at work.

South Florida is currently 0-5 when playing on nationally televised Thursday night games, this includes a home loss to Pitt back in 2008 when the Bulls were ranked #10.  Just one of their many choke jobs when highly ranked.  Also, Pitt Co-Offensive Coordinator Calvin Magee actually started his coaching career at USF, from 1996 to 2000, coaching tight ends and running backs.

USF alumni run some pretty important businesses you may have heard of including: Disneyland International, FedEx, Google, and Symantec.  As for some alumni that you may have heard of: Tony LaRussa and Hulk Hogan.

That's right, Hulk Hogan went to USF.  Does anyone else think they should change their colors to bright yellow and red now?  Just me?

USF is located in Tampa with a total of three campuses in or around that general area.  But really, none of that can hold a candle to Pitt Titusville, seriously.

Now onto some gameday links.

Pitt links:
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: South Florida QB poses double threat against Pitt
Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Pitt's offensive line is struggling to adjust

USF Links:
USF Oracle: USF set for another road test in Pittsburgh
The Tampa Tribune: Bulls have become comfortable on the road

Hail to Pitt!