USF Bulls Eye Historic Playoff Spot in 2025 Season
The 2025 college football season has been a whirlwind. No team shows this better than the USF Bulls.
After a 7-6 finish last year and a bowl win over San Jose State, the Bulls have jumped out to a 6-1 record. They’re now ranked No. 18 in the country and barely hanging onto the last College Football Playoff (CFP) spot as the top Group of 5 team.
Their schedule isn’t a cakewalk, but it’s not brutal either. USF has a real shot to lock in their CFP position and maybe, just maybe, grab their first American Athletic Conference (AAC) title since joining in 2013.
Contents
The Road to the College Football Playoff
The Bulls’ run toward the CFP has been wild. They dropped one game to No. 9 Miami but have since rolled over South Carolina State, Charlotte, North Texas, and Florida Atlantic.
The offense has been on fire. They haven’t scored fewer than 48 points lately, and they’ve crossed 60 points twice. Not bad, right?
Key Matchups Ahead
But it’s not over. The Bulls still have to get past the Memphis Tigers and the Navy Midshipmen—two games that could make or break their season.
Memphis Tigers
First up, Memphis on October 25. The Tigers are 6-1 but just took their first loss to UAB.
Memphis will be hungry to bounce back, so this one’s huge for both sides. Slowing down USF’s fast-paced offense is going to be their main challenge, and honestly, that’s easier said than done.
Then comes Navy on November 15. They’re undefeated so far, with big wins over Tulsa and UAB.
But Navy has to get through North Texas and No. 12 Notre Dame before they see USF. That could shake things up quite a bit.
Player Spotlights
USF’s success owes a lot to some standout players. Quarterback Byrum Brown and defenders Mac Harris and Jhlayn Shuler have been especially key.
Byrum Brown
Brown missed most of 2024 with a leg injury, but he’s come back looking even better. He’s thrown for 1,695 yards, 16 touchdowns, and five picks, plus he’s rushed for 475 yards and six scores.
He leads the team in both passing and rushing—honestly, his dual-threat game is a huge reason for the Bulls’ surge.
Mac Harris and Jhlayn Shuler
On defense, Mac Harris and Jhlayn Shuler have been everywhere. Shuler tops the team with 61 tackles, while Harris has 56 tackles and leads with 5.5 sacks.
The defense has also forced 10 interceptions and seven fumbles, recovering all of them. Defensive coordinator Todd Orlando deserves credit here; he’s built a unit that brings pressure and covers well, making life tough for any offense that faces them.
Looking Ahead
If the Bulls keep playing like this, they’ve actually got a real shot at their first American Championship. That would also mean a ticket to the College Football Playoff, which, honestly, is wild to think about.
Their next games—Memphis and Navy—are coming up fast. These matchups feel huge, almost like everything rides on them.
A win in either could tip the scales for USF and maybe even set up something special this season.
Want to dig deeper into how the Bulls got here? Check out the full article over at Mike Farrell Sports.
