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The South Florida Bulls enter 2026 with plenty of questions. However, the program also has plenty of reasons for optimism. USF finished 2025 with a 9-4 record and a 6-2 conference mark. The Bulls also reached their third straight bowl game. Alex Golesh left after three seasons and took the Auburn job. Byrum Brown also followed Golesh to Auburn after a productive USF career. Brian Hartline now takes over as head coach. He spent eight seasons at Ohio State before making the move to Tampa. That creates plenty of uncertainty. Still, I believe the Bulls can win nine games again.
Hartline Faces a Huge First Test
Hartline enters his first season as a head coach. That alone makes 2026 a fascinating season for USF. He brings significant recruiting and player-development experience from Ohio State. Hartline also helped develop several future NFL wide receivers. However, running a program requires much more than developing receivers. Hartline must manage the entire roster and coaching staff. He also needs to establish his identity quickly. The Bulls cannot afford a slow start. Fortunately, Hartline inherited a program trending upward. USF won seven games in both 2023 and 2024. The Bulls then jumped to nine wins last season. Therefore, the foundation already exists.
The Quarterback Battle Matters Most
Quarterback remains the biggest question entering the season. Brown left behind enormous production. He became USF’s first quarterback to pass for 3,000 yards. He also rushed for more than 1,000 yards during the 2025 season. Hartline now has two major transfer candidates. Michael Van Buren Jr. and Luke Kromenhoek compete for the starting job. Van Buren brings Power Four experience into the competition. Kromenhoek also arrived with considerable recruiting pedigree. The quarterback battle remained unresolved entering fall camp. That creates some concern heading into September. Still, USF has surrounded the position with talented players.
The Bulls Reloaded Through the Portal
USF welcomed 41 transfer players during the January portal period. Thirteen newcomers held four- or five-star recruiting ratings. That represents an enormous influx of talent. More importantly, Hartline built the class with a clear purpose. D.J. Crowther provides another weapon at running back. He rushed for 929 yards and ten touchdowns at Dartmouth last season. Jason Collins Jr. also joins the running back room. He brings more than 1,000 rushing yards across his previous two seasons. That should help the new quarterback. The Bulls also added several receivers and offensive linemen. Therefore, the offense should remain dangerous.
The Offense Has Plenty of Potential
USF’s offense ranked among the nation’s best last season. The Bulls averaged 40.5 points per game. They also produced 488.7 total yards per contest. Those numbers ranked second in the American Conference. The Bulls also averaged 212.1 rushing yards per game. Their passing attack produced another 276.6 yards each week. Replacing Brown remains difficult. However, USF does not need another Brown immediately. The Bulls simply need efficient quarterback play. They also need their new offensive system to develop quickly. If those pieces click, USF can score plenty of points.
The Defense Could Decide the Season
Defense might determine whether USF reaches nine wins. The Bulls need improvement against the conference’s better offenses. Hartline brought significant defensive talent through the transfer portal. C.J. Hicks represents one of the most intriguing additions. He transferred from Ohio State and brought considerable athletic ability. The Bulls also return several important defensive contributors. That combination could create a much deeper unit. USF does not need a dominant defense. It needs a reliable defense. If the unit forces turnovers, the Bulls can win difficult games. That could prove crucial during November.
The Schedule Creates Opportunities
USF opens the season against Florida International on September 5. The Bulls then travel to Army for their conference opener. That Army matchup immediately creates a difficult challenge. USF then hosts Delaware State before traveling to Bowling Green. Temple follows at Raymond James Stadium. The Bulls then travel to UTSA on October 8. That game could become one of the season’s biggest tests. USF then hosts Kent State before its bye week. UAB follows on October 31. The November schedule gets much tougher. USF travels to East Carolina before hosting Memphis. The Bulls then travel to Florida Atlantic. Tulane closes the regular season in Tampa.
The Tulane Game Could Decide Everything
Tulane represents the biggest challenge on the schedule. The Green Wave reached the College Football Playoff last season. Tulane also has reached four straight American championship games. That makes the November 27 matchup extremely important. USF could enter that game with the conference race still alive. A victory would give Hartline a massive signature win. It could also put USF into its first American championship game. That possibility should create an electric atmosphere at Raymond James Stadium. The game also carries historical significance. USF will leave Raymond James Stadium after the 2026 season. The Bulls will move into their new on-campus stadium in 2027. Therefore, the final home game could become a memorable farewell.
My 2026 USF Prediction
I predict the Bulls will finish 9-3 during the regular season. I also expect USF to finish 5-3 in American Conference play. The Bulls should handle FIU and Delaware State. I also expect victories against Bowling Green and Temple. Army creates the first major challenge. I expect the Black Knights to win that game at home. UTSA could also give USF problems in San Antonio. That game comes on a Thursday night. USF should beat Kent State and UAB. The Bulls then face three difficult November Road and home matchups. I expect USF to lose at East Carolina. The Pirates have won three straight against the Bulls. Memphis also presents a difficult challenge. The Tigers have won five straight against USF. However, I expect the Bulls to beat Florida Atlantic. Then, I expect USF to defeat Tulane in the regular-season finale.
Can USF Reach the American Championship Game?
That remains possible, but the path looks difficult. A 5-3 conference record could leave the Bulls outside the championship game. The American uses a single-division standings format in 2026. The top two teams will meet for the conference championship. USF therefore needs to win the biggest games. The Bulls must beat either Army or UTSA. They also need to avoid losing both ECU and Memphis. A 6-2 conference record would make the championship picture much clearer. However, nine wins would still represent a successful first season for Hartline.
The Final Verdict
USF has enough talent to remain one of the American’s best teams. The Bulls also have one of the conference’s strongest transfer classes. Still, the quarterback situation creates legitimate concerns. Losing Brown also removes a proven leader and playmaker. Hartline must replace Golesh while building his own program. That challenge makes nine wins an ambitious prediction. Yet, USF has the talent to make it happen. I expect the Bulls to finish 9-3 overall and 5-3 in conference play.
I also expect them to remain in the American championship conversation into November. Most importantly, USF should enter 2027 with significant momentum. The Bulls will then move into their new on-campus stadium. Hartline does not need to recreate last year’s team. He needs to build the next version. If he does that successfully, USF could become a consistent American Conference contender. Final prediction: 9-3 regular season, bowl appearance, and a serious late-season conference championship push.
Author Profile
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Bradley Walker (VP) and Head of our Florida operations for NGSC Sports, bringing extensive experience across collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. His coverage spans USF Athletics, including football, baseball, lacrosse, and softball, as well as University of Tampa baseball.
Bradley also provides coverage of minor league baseball with the Clearwater Threshers and Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the national stage, he covers college football bowl games and conference championship matchups, along with premier golf events across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and LPGA Tour.
In addition to his reporting work, Bradley is the play-by-play announcer for Pinellas Park High School Patriots football, lending his voice and insight to Friday night lights.
He is also an active podcast host and contributor, serving as a host on The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.
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