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For the first time in five years, the USF football program has earned a postseason berth.
There are extra practices so the players can prepare for the RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl game against the Syracuse Orange on Thurs., Dec. 21, while also giving them a big jump-start on 2024.
There's the opportunity for USF to finish 7-6 (which would represent a six-game turnaround from the 1-11 mark of 2022). The Bulls are already tied for the second-best turnaround in the FBS this season.
And there's the pride associated with the select teams getting ESPN exposure during games that traditionally generate nice ratings while many football-hungry fans curl up around the fireplace to watch postseason football after full days of holiday activities.
But what about the USF fans who purchase tickets? What's in it for them?
Here are five bowl experiences that have made for memorable moments in the past for Bulls fans and could make for an unforgettable trip to Boca Raton:
PEP RALLIES
Who among us can resist the urge to cheer their lungs out or clap in rhythm to the University's fight song?
By attending the public pep rallies in Boca Raton (Dec. 20 at Mizner Park), you're likely to see uproarious spirit displayed by school president Rhea Law, former players wearing their letter jackets, children wearing Bullhorn hats, fans of all shapes and sizes in Green and Gold, maybe all of them cheering together.
The challenge, of course, is to turn out in greater numbers than fans from Syracuse, while making enough noise to drown out the Orange-clad supporters.
There will be opportunities for fine dining, golf and tennis, perhaps some boating and definitely a sampling of the Atlantic Ocean. But to truly get into the bowl-game spirit, you've got to participate in the pep rallies.
FACING AN INTERESTING OPPONENT
One of college football's true joys — front and center during bowl season — are the intersectional matchups we don't normally see.
Although Syracuse once was a familiar opponent — the Bulls and Orange shared a home in the Big East Conference from 2005-12 — the two teams haven't played since 2016. For USF, it's the chance to defeat a team from the Atlantic Coast Conference, an opportunity for bragging rights.
In USF's bowl history, the Bulls have posted wins over teams from the ACC, SEC, Big 12, Conference USA and MAC and faced a Pac-12 brand name in Oregon.
Although winning conference games remains a huge priority, the 27 seasons of USF football have produced a diversity of victories against teams from all regions and major conferences, including Army, Auburn, BYU, Cincinnati, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Houston, Illinois, Kansas, Louisville, Miami, Nevada, North Carolina, NC State, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, Syracuse, TCU, Texas Tech and West Virginia.
GATHERING WITH BULLS NATION
USF has significant alumni in the Tampa Bay area — and a sizable contingent in the South Florida region as well — but bowl games are great opportunities for out-of-state (out-of-country?) fans to reunite with the regulars who frequent Bulls games at Raymond James Stadium and celebrate their Bull pride.
As Boca Raton and the surrounding environs get painted green-and-gold, you can meet like-minded people who have a love for the USF football program and their alma mater.
It's a surefire way to transform a stranger into a friend. Flashing a "Horns Up'' hand signal is the perfect ice-breaker. Then there's the communal game-day experience, where USF fans can sit together, cheer together and help their team to the perfect punctuation mark on a turnaround season.
MEETING THE PLAYERS
Want an autograph from Byrum Brown?
Want a photograph with Daquan Evans?
Want to see Sean Atkins without his helmet and shoulder pads?
The bowl-game setting is a great opportunity to mix and mingle with players and coaches during public events or casual encounters. There's practice-field business, of course, but the mood is a bit more festive and accessible.
In 2015 at the Miami Beach Bowl, USF quarterback Quinton Flowers attracted quite a crowd of fans. Whether it was a photo, an autograph, a handshake or a few words, every fan that wanted some face time with the Bulls' star was happily obliged. And Flowers, relaxed and enjoying the moment, probably had the most fun of all.
RAISING THE TROPHY
Now this is a moment you won't want to miss.
Think about it: Until that magic occasion when the Bulls capture the program's first conference championship — or until the restoration of the "War On I-4'' rivalry game against UCF — your only chance to see USF football raise a trophy is a bowl-game victory.
The pure unadulterated joy is something cool to witness. Coach Jim Leavitt said it was one of the happiest moments of his career when he lifted the top prize at USF's first bowl triumph in 2006. Meanwhile, in 2017, it was a startlingly sweet sight as Coach Charlie Strong, normally stoic and businesslike, beamed an ear-to-ear grin as he and his players clutched the Birmingham Bowl trophy (which still is now displayed in the Selmon Center lobby).
Some pundits claim there are too many bowl games in college football.
But you'll have a different opinion while watching your team's celebratory pride as it clutches the valuable hardware. As for the moment itself? Priceless.
–#GoBulls–
