South Florida Bulls is 0-0 on the season, 0-0 against the spread, and holds a power rating of +5.3. South Florida Bulls enters the season with a power rating of +5.3, placing them above average relative to the FBS midpoint. The South Florida Bulls host Florida International next in Week 1. In 2025, South Florida Bulls went 9-3 overall, 9-3 against the spread, and 7-5 on totals.
In Week 0 of 2026 the South Florida Bulls Power Rating of +5.3 is 5.1 points above the FBS average according to Blue Chip Analytics. South Florida Bulls have logged 0 miles of travel so far, out of a season total of 7,467 miles, ranking 62th heaviest in the FBS.
| Week | Opponent | Distance | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 0 | — | Bye | |
| Week 1 | Florida International | Home | 0 mi |
| Week 2 | Army | 1,043 mi | 2,086 mi |
| Week 3 | Delaware State | Home | 2,086 mi |
| Week 4 | Bowling Green | 926 mi | 3,938 mi |
| Week 5 | Temple | Home | 3,938 mi |
| Week 6 | UTSA | 974 mi | 5,887 mi |
| Week 7 | Kent State | Home | 5,887 mi |
| Week 8 | — | Bye | |
| Week 9 | UAB | Home | 5,887 mi |
| Week 10 | East Carolina | 606 mi | 7,099 mi |
| Week 11 | Memphis | Home | 7,099 mi |
| Week 12 | Florida Atlantic | 184 mi | 7,467 mi |
| Week 13 | Tulane | Home | 7,467 mi |
| Week 14 | — | Bye | |
| Week 15 | — | Bye | |
| Week 16 | — | Bye | |
First-time head coach Brian Hartline, known for developing NFL receivers at Ohio State, has reshaped the roster with Power 4 transfers and a massive offensive line (average 6-foot-5, 315 pounds). The quarterback battle among Michael Van Buren Jr. (LSU), Luke Kromenhoek (Mississippi State), and KJ Cooper (Texas Southern) will define the offense early. Running backs D.J. Crowther (929 yards, 10 TDs at Dartmouth) and Jason Collins Jr. (1,009 career yards at Morgan State) provide a strong ground game.
New defensive coordinator Josh Aldridge, whose East Carolina unit led the American in total defense (348.8 ypg) and scoring defense (20.3 ppg), brings a fast, havoc-creating philosophy. Key transfers include edge rushers C.J. Hicks (Ohio State) and Shamar Meikle (Oregon State), nose tackle Major Dillard (Norfolk State), linebacker Grayson Howard (Florida), cornerback Za'Quan Bryan (Minnesota), and safety Israel Boyce (West Virginia). Holdover safety Tavin Ward, a four-year starter, provides leadership.
Placekicker Nico Gramatica returns after going 18-for-24 on field goals last season, including a 52-yarder, with five career makes from 50-plus yards. Punter Luke Goater, an Australian import, continues the program's nine-year tradition of using Australian punters. Special teams should be a reliable asset in close games.
2026 marks the Bulls' 30th season and their last in Raymond James Stadium before moving to a new $348.5 million, 35,000-seat on-campus stadium in 2027. The team has two expected American contenders (Memphis and Tulane) at home and avoids Navy and North Texas entirely, giving them a favorable path to contend for the program's first conference title.
The biggest unknowns are how quickly Hartline's offensive system gels with a new quarterback and whether the revamped defense can replicate Aldridge's success at East Carolina. The Bulls have Power 4-level resources and recruiting cachet, but translating that into on-field results against a manageable conference schedule will determine if they can challenge for the American crown.
South Florida Bulls is 0-0 against the spread in the 2026 season.
South Florida Bulls holds a Blue Chip Analytics power rating of +5.3, representing their expected point margin against an average FBS team on a neutral field.
South Florida Bulls's home field advantage rating is 3.0 points, the venue adjustment Blue Chip Analytics applies for games at their home stadium.
South Florida Bulls travels 7,467 miles in the 2026 season, ranking 62th heaviest in the FBS.
Cumulative travel distance counts both the outbound and return journey for every away game. For example, if a team travels 374 miles to play an away game, Blue Chip Analytics counts 748 miles (374 miles there, 374 miles back) toward the cumulative total. Home games and bye weeks add zero miles. The per-week Distance column shows the one-way distance only, as the return trip happens after the game is played.
South Florida Bulls: 0-0 overall, 0-0 ATS, power rating +5.3.
