TAMPA, Fla. – A 48-13 win over visiting FAU on Saturday evening that made the Bulls (6-1/3-0 American) bowl eligible for a third straight year is viewed as another chapter in a story that is expected – not hoped — to have many more nice chapters written before this 2025 season is, well, in the books.
After all, it is not about six wins with Alex Golesh’s program, as has been the case since the day he arrived at USF in December 2022.
“I don’t know if one single guy in that locker room gives one heck about being bowl eligible,” said the third-year coach, as the clock ticked toward midnight following his 20th win at USF.
Indeed, conference supremacy is a big box his team is striving to check, and take it from there.
Below is a glimpse at what is ahead for the Bulls and other American contenders. For the record, the top-ranked Group of Five conference champ is guaranteed a seat at the 12-team College Football Playoff table. The initial CFP ranking will be revealed November 4 and, as of this writing, the Bulls are the only G5 team ranked in the AP and coaches’ polls.
READ: Center Of Attention: Cole Best’s Leadership Speaks Volumes At USF
USF (6-1/3-0)
Memphis’ loss at UAB shall not diminish the importance of next week’s game between the Bulls and host Tigers, which will be at noon on either ESPN or ESPN2. Though it will not be a battle of ranked teams – the Tigers dropped out of the rankings as a result of losing to the Blazers – the matchup remains huge. After all, if the Bulls lose, they will still have an outstanding chance of playing for the conference title, but may not have any margin for error. The teams could meet again for the American championship on December 6.
The Bulls have a bye following their trip to Memphis. UTSA arrives at Raymond James to kick off the regular season’s final month (Thursday night, November 6) before a date in Annapolis the following Saturday with first place in the American potentially on the line. A trip to UAB (November 22) and a home date with Rice (November 29) close the regular season.
Memphis (6-1/2-1)
Between hosting the Bulls next week, a Friday night visit from Tulane (see below) on November 7 and a visit from Navy on Thanksgiving evening, it is easy to see how the Tigers can be right in the thick of everything. Or drop out of contention.
Tulane (6-1/3-0)
A pair of touchdowns in the game’s final two minutes lifted the Green Wave past Army on Saturday and kept Jon Sumrall’s team undefeated in conference play. Can Tulane run the table? The trip to Memphis noted above follows a game at UTSA on Thursday evening. Following their matchup with the Tigers, Tulane’s final three games are versus FAU, at Temple and versus Charlotte.
Navy (6-0/4-0)
The Middies, who are on the doorstep of being ranked in the coaches’ poll and were idle Saturday, host FAU next week before a demanding November: at North Texas, at Notre Dame, a visit from the Bulls and, following a bye, the Thanksgiving evening matchup at Memphis. The Army/Navy game in Baltimore on December 13 is a week after the American championship game. Hence, it has no bearing on conference standings – it remains a non-conference game – or the final CFP, which will be released December 7.
North Texas (6-1/2-1)
The Mean Green could still play for the conference title. Eric Morris’ team will need plenty of help, though. Yet, it is not far-fetched for them to remain a one-loss team at the end of the regular season. After playing at Charlotte on Friday, their stiffest remaining test is against visiting Navy on November 1. From there, it is at UAB, at Rice and versus Temple, which is much improved under K.C. Keeler.
READ: The Voice Of The Bulls: Jim Louk To Hang Up The Mic After 43 Years
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