Navy Stuns South Florida, Shakes Up Group of 5 Playoff Race
Tuesday night brought a rare mix of clarity and hope for the South Florida Bulls. They showed up in the College Football Playoff rankings at No. 24.
The path looked almost simple: win the last three regular-season games and the American Conference championship. That would’ve meant a Playoff berth.
But Saturday’s showdown in Annapolis against Navy? It turned that clear path into a mess. Navy’s Midshipmen came out swinging, building a 24-9 halftime lead and eventually grabbing a 41-38 win.
That loss? It’s a gut punch for USF’s Playoff dreams, even though their stars fought hard right to the end.
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Navy’s win over South Florida was all about grit and smart football. The Midshipmen, with Brian Newberry at the helm, played tough—even after losing their star quarterback, Blake Horvath, for much of the second half.
Backup Braxton Woodson got tossed into the fire and managed to pull off some big plays. He didn’t just keep the ship afloat—he helped Navy pull away.
Key Performances
Woodson’s impact was hard to miss. He ran for 103 yards and two touchdowns, and completed both his passes for 39 yards.
That 20-yard touchdown run? It put Navy back up by two scores after USF had clawed within three. Then, with just under four minutes to go, Woodson ripped off a 64-yard touchdown run that pretty much slammed the door shut.
Impact on Playoff Chances
Navy now sits at 8-2 (6-1 in the American Conference), all alone atop the league. Austin Mock’s projections give Navy a 3 percent shot at the College Football Playoff.
USF’s odds have fallen to 2 percent. The American Conference is a tough crowd, and there’s still a chance another Group of 5 league could sneak into the Playoff spot.
USF’s Playoff Hopes Dwindle
USF’s loss to Navy, on top of their earlier road defeat at Memphis, really stings. They’ve proven themselves with big wins over Boise State and Florida, but now their chances are hanging by a thread.
The Bulls need a lot to go right in the remaining games—or, honestly, a miracle.
Other Contenders in the American Conference
The American Conference is still wide open. Four teams, including Navy, have just one league loss.
Tulane, North Texas, and East Carolina are right in the mix. All three won their games the same day Navy took down USF, making things even more complicated.
Key Matches Ahead
Navy’s got one last major conference test: Memphis, on November 27. It’s a primetime game on Thanksgiving.
If Navy wins, they’ll be in a great spot for the American Conference title game. Then comes the classic Army-Navy game to wrap up the season.
USF’s Star Players Shine Despite Loss
Even in defeat, USF had some bright spots. Quarterback Byrum Brown threw for 327 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for 136 yards and two more scores.
He broke loose for a 60-yard touchdown run, and later led a 75-yard scoring drive that kept USF in it until the very end.
Challenges Ahead for USF
USF’s road forward is rough. They’ve got to win out and hope the rest of the league breaks their way.
The American Conference is a dogfight, and the Bulls need to squeeze every bit of potential out of this squad if they want to keep their Playoff hopes flickering, even if it’s just barely.
Conclusion
This Navy vs. South Florida matchup really shook up the American Conference. It’s wild how much one game can mess with the Group of 5’s Playoff picture.
Navy pulled off a win even when the odds weren’t exactly in their favor. That’s some grit and, honestly, a bit of clever coaching too.
USF’s path now? It’s not going to be smooth, but hey, it’s not over. There’s still a shot if they can regroup.
The next few weeks—those are going to matter a lot. Who knows which team will end up representing the Group of 5 in the Playoff?
If you want to dive deeper, check out the full article on the New York Times.
