South Florida went into the 2024 season with many believing the Bulls could be in contention for an American Conference Championship.
But after going 2-2 in non-conference play and 4-4 against conference foes, including decisive losses against Tulane and Memphis early on, the Bulls were just 6-6 during the regular season.
But they did finish things out on a high note, beating San Jose State 41-39 after five overtimes in the Hawaii Bowl.
The Bulls hope they can improve on that and appear in a conference championship in Year 3 of head coach Alex Golesh’s tenure.
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USF Football’s American Conference Title Betting Odds
USF’s odds to make the American Conference Championship are +400, via BetMGM.
USF Football’s Betting Odds & Over/Under Win Total
South Florida’s win total Over/Under is 6.5, with Under 6.5 at -115 and Over 6.5 at -105.
USF Football’s 2025 Schedule
Aug. 28 vs. Boise State
Sept. 6 @ Florida
Sept. 13 @ Miami
Sept. 20 vs. South Carolina State
Oct. 3 vs. Charlotte
Oct. 10 @ North Texas
Oct. 18 vs. FAU
Oct. 25 @ Memphis
Nov. 6 vs. UTSA
Nov. 15 @ Navy
Nov. 22 @ UAB
Nov. 29 vs. Rice
Dec. 5 American Conference Championship
Bold indicates American Conference contests
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QB Byrum Brown Among Returners For USF Football
After missing eight games due to a lower-leg injury, Byrum Brown is back at quarterback for South Florida.
Brown threw for 836 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions while completing 78 of 132 passes and rushing for 269 yards and three touchdowns in six games. But in 2023, he was spectacular.
Brown passed for 3,292 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 picks while rushing for 809 yards and 11 scores. His 64.6% completion rate was a school record. Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels and Brown were the only two players in the country to rack up 3,000 passing yards and 800 rushing yards that season.
USF’s top three rushers from a season ago are gone, including Kelley Joiner who paced the team with 799 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2024. Sean Atkins, one of the most productive pass catchers the program has ever seen, is also gone after totaling 781 yards and two touchdowns on 79 receptions.
USF does bring back some solid skill position players, though. Keshaun Singleton recorded 428 yards and three touchdowns on 27 catches in 2024, while Joshua Porter tallied 210 yards on 24 receptions.
USF prioritized wide receiver in the transfer portal, so it’s possible the Bulls’ leading receiver in 2025 wasn’t on the team a season ago.
In comparison, USF’s offensive line is loaded with experience. Derek Bowman is back after starting 13 games at right tackle. An All-AAC honorable mention in 2023, Zane Herring started eight games at right guard while missing five due to injury. Jack Wilty proved to be extremely versatile in 2024, starting five games at right guard, three at left guard, and one at left tackle.
Cole Best returns after starting two games at left guard and the last seven of the season at center. Mike Lofton, who started the team’s other six games at center, is back as well.
USF ranked 12th in the AAC in total defense (436.9 yards per game allowed) and seventh in scoring defense (29.8 points per game allowed). But the Bulls bring back some standout players from last year, including five of their top 10 tacklers in 2024, so it’s reasonable to believe this unit will improve.
Linebacker Mac Harris led USF a year ago with 82 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, four sacks, and six quarterback hurries to go with two pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. Safety Tavin Ward led USF with three interceptions and ranked second with 62 tackles while adding two TFLs, three pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries.
Linebacker Jhalyn Shuler was third on the team with 61 tackles and recorded seven TFLs, 3.5 sacks, four QB hurries, a team-best three forced fumbles, two interceptions, and a pass breakup.
USF Football Season Prediction
I predict USF won’t win the American but will go Over 6.5 total wins.
I think the Bulls will have a great squad once again. But also yet again, they have a brutal schedule.
I think it’s very possible, with games against Boise State at home as well as at Florida and Miami, that USF starts the season 0-3 overall. However, there’s a good number of winnable games on this schedule as well.
I expect USF is capable of defeating South Carolina State, Charlotte, North Texas, FAU, UAB, and Rice. From there, USF needs just one win against Navy, UTSA, and Memphis, and I think that’s possible for this talented USF roster.
