For those still celebrating USF’s historic win over FSU in Tallahassee, this sobering reminder: USF has been here before.
For the third straight year, USF heads into October undefeated and riding the momentum of a high-profile, nationally noted win into its Big East schedule. That means USF is no longer the play-with-abandon hunter, but the target-wearing hunted. And that means a different mental state. Heretofore, USF has wilted under that kind of pressure. Playing not to lose and playing without composure – seemingly channeling the frenetic sideline antics of head coach Jim Leavitt.
Up next for the Bulls: Syracuse and then Cincinnati. And then we will know. We will know what that FSU win actually meant.