USF entering 2024 football season looking for even more respect
The USF Bulls football team generated a fair amount of buzz with a surprising 7-6 finish last season under first-year coach Alex Golesh. That was after they were picked to finish 13th in the 14-team American Athletic Conference.
It’s fair to say as they approach the 2024 season, more people are taking them seriously, especially with quarterback Byrum Brown leading a go-go offense that is quick-striking and diversified. But how much respect are they receiving heading toward the 2024 season?
Not as much as you’d think.
For instance, they travel to Alabama for their second game after opening with what should be a stroll through the Tulips against Bethune-Cookman. Remember how the Bulls opened eyes last year by staying stride for stride with ‘Bama before falling 17-3?
‘Bama backers figure that was a fluke.
The website Roll Tide Wire has this prediction about the upcoming game, which is scheduled for prime time on national TV.
They picked ‘Bama to win 52-17 and noted, “… things could get out of hand as a revenge game of sorts.”
ESPN is a little skeptical, too. It projects the Bulls to finish fourth in the AAC, which isn’t bad. It gives them an 80% chance of winning at least six games, which would most likely get them into a second straight bowl game. But it also gives USF just an 8.1% chance of winning the conference title.
In case you’re curious, ESPN projects Memphis as the AAC’s top team, followed by UTSA. Both of those teams handled the Bulls last year.
I believe the Bulls could be better than some folks think—maybe not championship-quality, but at least in the hunt.
Golesh has his system in place after spending last season introducing his team to the new sheriff in town. As long as Brown stays healthy, the Bulls can score on anyone (yes, even you ‘Bama).
USF had the top recruiting class in the Group of Five, including 17 defensive players. They also picked up seven defensive players in the transfer portal. Why so much emphasis on defense?
I mean, did you watch them last year?
They gave up 56 points in consecutive weeks to UAB and Florida Atlantic, the latter on homecoming! Memphis put up 59 on them, and UTSA ran up 49.
With the offense USF figures to have, even a modest improvement on defense could shake up some of that preseason skepticism in those preseason soothsayers.
Everyone is undefeated this time of year, and, as men’s basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rhaim famously said last year, “This ain’t the same old South Florida.”
Translation: eight regular-season wins is not a preposterous idea. Anything above that, and Bulls fans could start gnawing their fingernails when suitors from Power 5 schools have Golesh’s number on speed dial.