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The Daily OrangeBig East | In-state rivals square off in final game of 4-year series
By Meredith Galante
Posted: 9/3/08, 12:34 AM EST Section: Sports
To George O'Leary, playing South Florida seems like a "natural game" to have on the schedule.
Even though Central Florida has been manhandled recently by No. 17 South Florida, the Knights' head coach is disappointed the UCF-USF series will come to an end Sept. 6, at Bright House Networks Stadium in Orlando, Fla. The four-year contract between the two teams ends this season, and there has been little indication a new deal is in the works.
"That is not my decision," O'Leary said in reference to the series ending. "People just have more interest in a conference game because more is on the line."
USF head coach Jim Leavitt wants his team to consider the UCF game an important one. However, Leavitt seems somewhat less emotional about the final meeting with UCF (1-0).
"It's been talked about a lot why the series will end this season," Leavitt said. "I'm just focused on playing this Saturday. UCF is the conference champs, and the game will be a challenge."
This season, South Florida (1-0), was ranked in the preseason polls for the first time in the program's history at No. 19.
After destroying the Knights last season, 64-12, the Bulls seem to have little to gain from the match up. South Florida has defeated UCF by an average of more than 25 points in the series.
Still, O'Leary praised non-conference games like the ones against USF because "those are the games that get you the respect that you want from the country." Since South Florida is nationally ranked, playing well against its rival could give O'Leary's team extra credibility.
Leavitt does not have any doubts about his team playing on the road, in the Knight's new stadium. South Florida has the potential to sweep the fourth and final game in the series.
"I would think their students will be fired up, but so will ours," Leavitt said. "Concern is the not word, as much as excited is. It's a heck of a challenge. They are going to be ready to play. Our guys are excited. For both teams, it's a great opportunity."
Even though Central Florida has been manhandled recently by No. 17 South Florida, the Knights' head coach is disappointed the UCF-USF series will come to an end Sept. 6, at Bright House Networks Stadium in Orlando, Fla. The four-year contract between the two teams ends this season, and there has been little indication a new deal is in the works.
"That is not my decision," O'Leary said in reference to the series ending. "People just have more interest in a conference game because more is on the line."
USF head coach Jim Leavitt wants his team to consider the UCF game an important one. However, Leavitt seems somewhat less emotional about the final meeting with UCF (1-0).
"It's been talked about a lot why the series will end this season," Leavitt said. "I'm just focused on playing this Saturday. UCF is the conference champs, and the game will be a challenge."
This season, South Florida (1-0), was ranked in the preseason polls for the first time in the program's history at No. 19.
After destroying the Knights last season, 64-12, the Bulls seem to have little to gain from the match up. South Florida has defeated UCF by an average of more than 25 points in the series.
Still, O'Leary praised non-conference games like the ones against USF because "those are the games that get you the respect that you want from the country." Since South Florida is nationally ranked, playing well against its rival could give O'Leary's team extra credibility.
Leavitt does not have any doubts about his team playing on the road, in the Knight's new stadium. South Florida has the potential to sweep the fourth and final game in the series.
"I would think their students will be fired up, but so will ours," Leavitt said. "Concern is the not word, as much as excited is. It's a heck of a challenge. They are going to be ready to play. Our guys are excited. For both teams, it's a great opportunity."
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