TAMPA, Fla. – The Bulls’ loss at Memphis has resulted in a drop out of the top 25 and a slide down to fourth in the American. They are fifth among teams receiving votes in both the AP and coaches’ polls. Navy is No. 23 and unranked in the coaches’ while Memphis No. 25 in both polls.
Navy (7-0/5-0) and Tulane (6-1/3-0) lead the way in the American with Memphis (7-1/3-1) also ahead of the Bulls (6-2/3-1) on the basis of the Tigers’ 34-31 win Saturday. The top two teams meet for the conference title Friday, December 5. The highest-ranked Group of Five conference champ, based on the final CFP ranking released December 7, has a seat at the 12-team College Football Playoff table.
If the Bulls win their four remaining regular-season games, which would include defeating Navy in Annapolis on November 15, they should be in good shape as far as a conference championship game appearance. Even another loss would not necessarily ruin their chances, though they would need help.
READ: Which Quarterback Will The USF Bulls Face At Memphis?
Other conference contenders will likely knock off one another during the regular season’s final month. Certainly, all eyes will continue to be on Memphis with the Tigers hosting the Green Wave (November 7) and Midshipmen (November 27). That’s right: the Tigers have the Bulls, Tulane and Navy at home.
North Texas (7-1/3-1) and Temple (5-3/3-1) have the same conference record as the Bulls and Memphis, though neither has defeated an American member with a winning record in conference play. UNT could change that against Navy in Denton next week. The Owls still have to play Army, Tulane and the Mean Green.
Up next
The Bulls have a 12-day break before taking the field against UTSA (3-4/1-2) on November 6 for a Thursday evening (7:30) meeting at Raymond James. The Roadrunners, who had a bye this week, host Tulane on Thursday night before making their way to Tampa. A 61-13 win over Rice represents their lone conference victory.
The Bulls have back-to-back road dates at Navy and at UAB (November 22) and versus Rice (November 29). The Midshipmen sandwich their visit from the Bulls around trips to Notre Dame and Memphis on Thanksgiving evening. As for UAB, just remember one thing: the Blazers, under an interim coach, knocked off Memphis last week. The Bulls’ regular-season finale is against Rice, whose lone win in four conference games was at Charlotte.
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