The emergence of South Florida among the top five in the latest polls provides further evidence of refreshing change in the college football world. The No. 2 Bulls present a football program that didn’t even exist 13 years ago.

Wonder how the old guard is taking this? A huge segment of fans, writers and coaches has a problem accepting change. Their collective idea of college football power is limited to such programs as Oklahoma, Texas, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, etc.

Louisville began to change those perceptions last year en route to an Orange Bowl win, unfortunately passing the mantle to South Florida this season. No time to think about what could have been. While it’s hard to admit, U of L fans knew in their guts that Petrino’s departure meant it would take just a while longer to realize Schnellenberger’s vision.

One game at a time, and nobody is looking past UConn or Pittsburgh, but one has to consider the possibilities when the Cards meet South Florida in three weeks, especially if the Bulls survive Rutgers this Thursday. All eyes will be on Tampa, the Bulls and the Cards.