When 25th-ranked Boise State opened up their season against the South Florida Bulls, very few thought anything of the matchup. After all, the Broncos were expected to run away with the Mountain West Conference trophy by the season's end, and challenge the power four supremacy dominating the greater picture of college football for the second time in the College Football Playoff.
But Boise State didn't win that game -- South Florida absolutely stomped their adversary, and spoiled the Broncos coming-out party to the tune of 34-7. And this wasn't a fluke for South Florida, either. You (yes, you!) likely took notice when the then 13th-ranked Florida Gators had their souls removed in the Swamp the following week. USF sealed the Gators' fate -- and rattled their season -- with a field goal as time expired to advance to 2-0 in an 18-16 final.
But the party was over when Miami had a swing at the Bulls.
With the eyes of the nation on this team from the American Conference, they didn't get to benefit from the element of surprise against an exceptional Hurricanes program. South Florida lost big, and lost the attention of the country in the same breath.
But forgetting about the Bulls may have been premature. After all, this team hasn't lost since, and most recently handed the North Texas Mean Green a 63-36 drubbing in the Lone Star State -- North Texas' first defeat of the season.
CBS Sports' Shehan Jeyarajah seems convinced that the Bulls' chances of reaching the College Football Playoff are assured, assuming they maintain their current trajectory. He writes:
"There's a tough test against No. 23 Memphis on Oct. 25 that will all but clinch a spot in the American Championship Game, but even a loss there could push them through. With the overall strength of the American behind South Florida, Memphis, North Texas and Tulane, it will give them a chance to earn a trip to the postseason."
No matter the final result of the season, this has been a dream shift in the fortunes of South Florida's football program, and they could be laying the foundation of a G5 powerhouse.
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