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Bulls Await Bowl Foe

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By BRETT McMURPHY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 25, 2008

TAMPA - Now that the University of South Florida once and for all solidified its bowl destination - hint: from Tampa drive south over the Howard Frankland, look for the big, white dome - the question remains, who will USF face in the postseason?

The inaugural St. Petersburg Bowl (Dec. 20, 4:30 p.m., ESPN2) will pit USF against a Conference USA team, most likely East Carolina, Southern Miss or Memphis.

East Carolina (7-4) hosts UTEP (5-6) on Saturday and then plays in the C-USA title game. The Pirates are probably the least likely one to end up in St. Pete - unless ECU loses both games.

Southern Miss (5-6) has won three straight and visits woeful SMU (1-10) on Saturday. The Golden Eagles should beat the Mustangs to get bowl eligible and would stand a good chance of getting to St. Pete.

Memphis (5-6) hosts Tulane (2-9) on Saturday and, like Southern Miss, needs a win to get bowl eligible. The Tigers also likely could be selected for St. Pete. However, if Louisiana Lafayette, of the Sun Belt, receives a bid to the New Orleans Bowl to face a C-USA team, Memphis would be ULL's likely opponent since ULL and Southern Miss met in the season opener.

Unless East Carolina loses its next two, Southern Miss and USF appear the likely St. Pete Bowl matchup in what was once a pretty heated rivalry.

ODDS AND ENDS: USF had a 16.5 percent decrease in the number of fans attending home games in 2008 compared to 2007. USF's average actual attendance (number of individuals at the game) was 37,598 at Raymond James Stadium (capacity 65,857). Last year's actual average attendance was 45,033. ... Sophomore Dontavia Bogan was named the Big East's Special Teams Player of the Week. Bogan had two kickoff returns for 135 yards.

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