Before the season started, South Florida was considered to have arguably the toughest opening three games in the country, but the Bulls aced their first test with a 35-7 home win over Boise State, which entered the game No. 25 in the AP preseason poll.
It was the first USF win over a top-25 team since beating No. 22 Navy in 2016.
Now comes the second of three consecutive meetings against preseason Top 25 teams when the Bulls make the 120-mile trek to Gainesville to face the Florida Gators.
The win over Boise State leaped USF into contender status in the American Conference in the minds of many. A strong showing against Florida will continue the discussion.
Florida tuned up with a 55-0 romp of FCS Long Island University.
The Gators visit LSU next Saturday (Sept. 13) but certainly can’t look past USF. Florida certainly would like some momentum before facing an LSU team that opened with an impressive win over Clemson.
How to Watch USF-Florida
The USF at Florida game will be at 4:15 p.m. ET Saturday and will be televised on the SEC Network.
USF-Florida Betting Odds
Florida is a 17.5-point college football betting favorite via BetMGM. The Over/Under is 54.5.
USF-Florida Records
USF (1-0)
Florida (1-0)
USF-Florida Coaches
South Florida: Alex Golesh (15-12)
Florida: Billy Napier (20-19 at Florida, 60-31 overall).
Last meeting: Sept. 22, 2022; Florida won 31-28 to increase its record to 3-0 in the all-time series.
USF-Florida Preview
For USF
Quarterback Byrum Brown, who played just five games last year due to injury, came back strong during his return in the opener. He completed 16 of 24 passes for 210 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. Brown also rushed for 43 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries. Alvon Isaac rushed for 52 yards on just three carries. Keshaun Singleton caught five passes for 93 yards and a score, while Tennessee transfer Chas Nimrod added three receptions for 96 yards.
Besides the return of Brown, the big story was the play of the defense, which forced three turnovers, all fumbles. Leading the defensive effort was linebacker Jhalyn Shuler, who recorded a career-high 14 tackles while also adding a tackle for loss, a pass breakup, and a fumble recovery. For his effort, he was named the American Conference Defensive Player of the Week.
Cornerback De’Shawn Rucker contributed 11 tackles and linebacker Mac Harris had eight tackles and a forced fumble. Ira Singleton had two fumble recoveries to go along with two tackles.
This came against a Boise State offense that averaged 37.7 points per game last year. Granted, Boise State lost All-American running back Ashton Jeanty, but the Broncos were still supposed to have a high-scoring unit. They still might, but it didn’t materialize against what appears to be a vastly improved defense, which allowed 29.8 points per game last year, which was 100th nationally.
It gets no easier next week for USF, which has to travel to Miami.
For Florida
Last year, a four-game winning streak at the end of the season quieted some of the talk about replacing Napier. The season ended with wins over LSU, Ole Miss, Florida State, and then a 33-8 victory over Tulane in the Gasparilla Bowl.
Last season in his true freshman year, quarterback DJ Lagway developed tremendously as the season went on. Now the 6-foot-3, 247-pound sophomore appears to be even more confident, although too much can’t be taken from a rout of an overmatched team. In the win over LIU, Lagway completed 15 of 18 throws for 120 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions.
He had been limited for the first month of fall practice with a calf injury, so it was good that he was able to ease into the season with such an easy opponent.
Fellow sophomore Jadan Baugh rushed for 109 yards and one touchdown. Vernell Brown III had three receptions for 79 yards. Linebacker Myles Graham and EDGE Kamran James each had five tackles.
USF-Florida Prediction
For the second week in a row, I predict USF will cover the spread.
The key is limiting Lagway in the passing game. Last year, he wasn’t much of a threat as a runner, averaging two yards per carry on 51 attempts. His passing has continued to improve, although he must get more consistent. In the last five games, including the win over LIU, he has thrown 10 touchdown passes and four interceptions. Last year, he threw 12 TDs and nine interceptions.
Winning in Gainesville will be extremely difficult, but covering the spread is an attainable goal. Even if Boise State isn’t as talented as the hype suggested, that is still a quality team capable of winning the Mountain West Conference title, making it a highly impressive opening performance for the Bulls.
Yet Florida is at a different level. This could be a game decided by the quarterbacks, and as much as Lagway has improved, Brown showed in the opener that he is back, and it could lead to a big game against Florida.
