For USF fans, there's no sense dwelling on the immediate past. Everyone knows the consequences of the Bulls' 34-31 loss last week at Navy. While there is a mathematical chance that they can reach the American Conference championship, you'd have better odds of winning Powerball than the Bulls have of celebrating their first conference title in program history.
For the tortured souls who can't let it go yet, Joey Knight of the Tampa Bay Times figured out multiple scenarios where the Bulls could salvage their title hopes. If so inclined, by all means delude yourself.
But at 7-3 and bowl-bound, the Bulls can secure their first 10-win season since 2017, and that would qualify as the kind of progress fans have a right to expect in the third year of a new coaching staff. That would be something to brighten a USF fan's day.
The quest to do that begins Saturday at UAB.
The Blazers have dropped three straight games after stunning Memphis in the first game for interim coach Alex Mortenson, who took over after Trent Dilfer was fired after UAB got off to a 2-4 start.
USF will need to be wary of quarterback Jalen Kitna, who threw 56 times for 384 yards and two touchdowns last year against the Bulls in USF's 35-24 win. The Bulls can expect UAB to try a similar approach on Saturday.
"They throw a lot more than a lot of other teams," Bulls defensive back Tavin Ward said.
Bulls quarterback Byrum Brown has been playing on a level rarely seen at USF or anywhere else. He has accounted for 19.6 points per game, which leads the nation. He is one of only two quarterbacks with at least 20 passing touchdowns and 11 rushing TDs (Cotton Joseph of ODU is the other).
Brown has also thrown for at least three touchdowns, rushed for 80 yards, and had a rushing touchdown in three straight games. He is one of only two Division I or NFL players to do that in the last 30 years.
How to watch USF vs. UAB in Week 11
Date: November 22
Time: 3 p.m.
How to watch: ESPN2+
How to listen: Q105 radio and streaming on Bulls Unlimited
USF record: 7-3 overall, 4-2 in the conference
UAB record: 3-7 overall, 1-5 in the conference
What broadcast crew is calling the game?
Pete Sousa (PxP), Forrest Conoly (analyst),
What are the betting odds for USF vs. UAB?
USF is favored by 21.5 points on FanDuel Sportsbook. The ESPN matchup predictor gives the Bulls a 94.1 percent chance of winning,
Series between USF and UAB
The series is tied 2-2.
What is the weather forecast for Saturday's game?
Partly cloudy with a high of 77 degrees and a 24 percent chance of rain.