The South Carolina State Bulldogs take on the USF Bulls in Tampa, FL. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
USF is favored by -29.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -8000. The total is set at 56.5 points.
Here’s my South Carolina State vs USF predictions and college football picks for Saturday, September 20, 2025.
South Carolina State vs USF Prediction
- South Carolina State vs USF Pick: USF -29.5 (Play to -30.5)
My South Carolina State vs USF best bet is on the Bulls spread. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
South Carolina State vs USF Odds
| SC State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+29.5 -110 | 56.5 -110 / -110 | +1800 |
| S. Florida Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-29.5 -110 | 56.5 -110 / -110 | -8000 |
- South Carolina State vs USF point spread: USF -29.5
- South Carolina State vs USF over/under: 56.5 points
- South Carolina State vs USF moneyline: South Carolina State +1800, USF -8000
South Carolina State vs USF Preview
South Carolina State Bulldogs Betting Preview: Major Defensive Issues
South Carolina State comes in off a thrilling 55-41 victory over fellow HBCU Bethune-Cookman last week. The Bulldogs racked up 561 total yards, led by the ground attack, which averaged 6.1 yards per rush.
Ryan Stubblefield was crisp in the passing game for South Carolina State, throwing for 286 yards and a touchdown as the Bulldogs were able to accumulate six passes over 20 yards.
Defensively, South Carolina State was shredded by Bethune-Cookman’s Cam’Ron Ransom. The Wildcats' quarterback completed 66% of his passes for 302 yards and four touchdowns.
The ground game was humming, and South Carolina State seemingly had no answer for the otherwise inept Bethune-Cookman offensive attack.
South Carolina State is in major trouble in this one defensively.
South Florida Bulls Betting Preview: Group of 5 Dynamo
USF dropped its game last week against Miami (FL), but this Bulls team has nothing to be ashamed of. They've played very spirited football over the last three weeks, pulling two outright upsets in the process.
This team has shown that it's a viable contender in the American Conference and has a legitimate chance at representing the Group of 5 in the FBS playoffs at season’s end.
The Bulls haven't really gotten the ground game humming this season, but they've faced some stiff defensive fronts in Florida and Miami (FL). USF actually ran for 4.2 yards per carry with three rushing scores against Boise State.
I would assume this bunch gets it going this week thanks to the rotation of backs that can share carries.
Also, Byrum Brown should have a clean pocket to throw the ball, and I would look for USF to use his reps in this game to build on his 61% completion percentage and two passing touchdowns.
On the other side of the ball, USF has really done a nice job corralling the opposition, despite being outmatched in its first three matchups. USF is holding opponents to 4.3 yards per carry on the ground and had performed well against the pass until facing Carson Beck and the Canes.
This unit had performed well in the red zone prior to last week, and I think we'll finally see the Bulls be able to push around an opponent in this game.
South Carolina State vs USF Pick, Betting Analysis
I'm laying it here with USF.
South Carolina State is a shell of the team it fielded last season, as the Bulldogs returned just two starters on offense and three on defense. Last year, we could count on South Carolina State to score from anywhere on the field and accumulate chunk plays and explosives with regularity.
With four offensive linemen and their top four pass catchers gone — along with breaking in a new quarterback — the offensive production has dropped off.
Prior to last week, this team scored just 16 points on FCS Wofford and 10 on South Carolina. The Wofford game revealed a team that couldn't run the ball and struggled both on third down and at protecting the quarterback.
Defensively, South Carolina State is going to get torched here. Three All-MEAC contributors are gone on the defensive line and the entire linebacker room was replaced. I would expect USF to run for nearly 300 yards in this one and use the tempo to its advantage to wear down this Bulldogs front.
This South Carolina State team was electric last year and was a tough out in MEAC play, but the roster turnover and talent losses on both sides of the ball are too much for it to be competitive in this one.
After three grinder games, USF is going to want to throw it around, have a little fun and score a ton of points. The bye week follows before it hosts Charlotte, so I expect Brown to go three quarters before giving way to the backups.
USF will win big and score a ton of points in the process.
Pick: USF -29.5 (Play to 30.5)
