USF's 2026 football schedule was completed in a flash on Friday -- actually, a Golden Flash.
The Bulls announced a matchup on October 17 against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Raymond James Stadium. It replaces the originally scheduled game with Alabama, which the Crimson Tide moved to 2032.
The Kent State addition gives the Bulls a 12th regular-season game for first-year head coach Brian Hartline, along with a seventh home game.
Under first-year head coach Mark Carney, the Flashes finished 5-7 in 2025. That was a substantial turnaround after going 1-23 in the two seasons before he arrived. Their only win in that span was over FCS opponent Central Connecticut State.
We’ve added a home matchup vs. Kent State to complete our 2026 non-conference schedule.
— USF Football (@USFFootball) January 30, 2026
📝: https://t.co/3opUTZc54F pic.twitter.com/IoWynOQWT6
After moving the Bulls game to 2032, Alabama scheduled East Carolina and Chattanooga for the upcoming season. Starting in this season, the SEC will play a 9-game conference chedule that mandates each team play at least one non-conference opponent from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, or Notre Dame annually. This "high quality" requirement aims to strengthen strength of schedule.
By the time 2032 rolls around, USF may be in a power conference.
With this change, the Bulls' non-conference schedule looks considerably less treacherous than it has been for the last few years. Unlike facing opponents like Alabama, Miami, and Florida, the Bulls' non-conference opponents this season include FIU, Delaware State, and Bowling Green in addition to Kent State.
American Conference home games include Memphis, Tulane, Temple and UAB.
USF will travel to Army, Florida Atlantic East Carolina and UTSA
The full schedule will be released in a few weeks.