South Florida Bulls 2026 Season Preview

The South Florida Bulls are looking to build on a 9-4 season with new coach Brian Hartline. Recent coach Alex Golesh has since departed to Auburn and has taken key starters QB Byrum Brown, RB Nykahi Davenport, WR Keshaun Singleton and multiple other offensive and defensive pieces. Leaving Hartline to bring in new South Florida players.

This season, South Florida has almost its entire starting lineup made up of transfers from other Power 4 schools. This has kept oddsmakers high on the South Florida Bulls despite an entirely new roster, with an over/under win total close to 8 games. The team is slated to lead on transfer QB Michael Van Buren, who spent time playing QB at LSU and Mississippi State.

Currently, South Florida is expected to compete for the American Conference title, having the fourth-best odds to win the conference at +700. However, their chances of making a run to the college football playoffs are a lot less likely at +1100. Still, most people believe Hartline can keep this South Florida team competitive. 

South Florida Bulls Point Spreads

South Florida has been a popular cover team over the last two seasons, with bettors taking advantage of their explosiveness and underdog status. In 2026, the Bulls were 9–4 against the spread (ATS) during the regular season, consistently beating expectations.

A typical Bulls point spread might look like this:

South Florida –2.5 (–110)

East Carolina +2.5 (–110)

In this example, USF would need to win by 3 or more to cover. Bettors should track line movement, especially in early-week matchups, where USF’s speed can catch oddsmakers and defenses off guard.

FAQ: Everything you need to know about point spreads

South Florida Bulls Over/Unders

Overs have hit frequently in South Florida games due to a fast-paced offense and a defense that remains vulnerable to big plays. The Bulls were 7–6 to the Over in 2025, one of the best Over records in the AAC.

Example total:

Over 62.5 (–110)

Under 62.5 (–110)

Expect high totals in matchups against fellow up-tempo teams like Memphis and UTSA, where shootouts are the norm. Brown’s ability to extend plays and the defense’s tendency to give up chunk yardage both contribute to inflated scoring.

FAQ: Betting the point total, explained | What is a push?

South Florida Bulls Moneylines

Moneyline betting is straightforward—just pick the winner. The Bulls were frequent short underdogs in 2025 and delivered value to bettors who backed them outright in several upsets.

Example moneyline:

South Florida +140

Tulane –160

A $100 bet on the Bulls at +140 would profit $140 with a win. They’ve been especially profitable as home underdogs or in AAC rivalry games where motivation runs high.

Moneylines are also great for parlay building. Pairing USF with another mid-major underdog can boost payouts significantly for bettors looking to swing for bigger wins.

FAQ: How to bet on the moneyline | How to make a parlay

South Florida Bulls Props

Player props are increasingly available for high-profile Group of Five teams like South Florida—especially when facing ranked or televised opponents.

Common Bulls props include:

• Michael Van Buren Over/Under 2.5 Total Touchdowns
• Jason Glover Over/Under 89.5 Receiving Yards
• Mudia Reuben Anytime Touchdown

Michael Van Buren's versatility makes him a strong candidate for touchdown and yardage props.. Keep an eye out for new names at RB, WR and TE, too, especially if sportsbooks begin offering first touchdown scorer markets.

Props vary by state and sportsbook, so availability may depend on local regulations.

FAQ: Here’s how prop betting works

South Florida Bulls Futures

If you believe in South Florida’s team under new coach Brian Hartline, futures bets provide long-term value on team and player success.

Example Bulls futures:

• Win Total: Over/Under 7.5
• To Win AAC Championship: +700
• To Reach CFP: +1100

Make sure to check out our sportsbook reviews for more information on what’s available in your state and exclusive sign-up bonuses and promo codes.