USF Bulls (1-0) vs. Alabama Crimson Tide (1-0)
September 7, 2024 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Alabama Crimson Tide -31.5 / USF Bulls +31.5; Over/Under: +62.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The USF Bulls and the Alabama Crimson Tide meet in week 2 college football action from Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday afternoon. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an Alabama vs USF Prediction.
USF Recap
The USF Bulls come into this one looking to spring the upset after starting the season with a 48-3 beatdown win over Bethune-Cookman last time out. After this game, USF will stay on the road for a matchup with Southern Miss and then will meet Miami and Tulane.
Ground Game Shines For Bulls In Win
Byrum Brown threw for 152 yards on 13 of 20 passing while also rushing for 74 yards and a touchdown. Bryce Archie threw for 20 yards and a touchdown on 2 of 3 passing while Kelley Joiner added a team-high 78 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. Ta’Ron Keith and Nay’Quan Wright each had a rushing TD as well while Abdur-Rahmaan Yaseen had a team-high 5 receptions for 73 yards. Michael Brown-Stephens added a touchdown grab as well for the Bulls in the win.
On defense, Mac Harris and Rodney Hill each had a team-high 7 total tackles while Dinellson Exume and Ira Singleton each had a sack and Jhalyn Shuler and D’Marco Augustin each had an interception as well in the win.
Why the South Florida Bulls will win
- South Florida has won four of its last five games.
- South Florida has covered the spread in nine of its last 10 games against AP-ranked teams.
Alabama Recap
The Alabama Crimson Tide will be looking to start the season 2-0 after picking up a 63-0 beatdown win over Western Kentucky last time out. After this game, the Tide will head out on the road to square off with the Wisconsin Badgers and then will face Georgia, Vandy, and South Carolina.
Milroe Shines In Win
Jalen Milroe threw for 200 yards and 3 touchdowns on 7 of 9 passing while also rushing for 79 yards and 2 TDs. Ty Simpson added 66 yards passing on 5 of 9 passing while Justice Haynes rushed for 102 yards and a TD on 4 carries. Jam Miller, Simpson, and Daniel Hill each had a rushing TD as well while Ryan Williams added 139 receiving yards and both of his receptions went for touchdowns. Kendrick Law added a touchdown grab as well in the win.
On defense, Jihaad Campbell and Deontae Lawson each had a team-high 9 total tackles while Que Robinson had a sack and Keon Sabb had a pair of INTs in the winning effort for Bama.
Why the Alabama Crimson Tide will win
- Alabama has won each of its last 21 games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- South Florida has lost each of its last 17 games against AP-ranked teams.
- Alabama has covered the spread in each of its last five September home games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- South Florida has failed to cover the spread in three of its last four road openers.
Alabama vs USF Prediction
I’m with Alabama here. Bama got caught against USF this season, but I don’t think the Tide are going to be caught again. Kalen DeBoer showed in the game against WKU that he’s not messing around and while USF looked good against Bethune-Cookman, I just don’t think that the ground game is going to be sustainable against Bama. This is still a USF team that feels susceptible defensively, and while they’ll be better than WKU, I don’t think it’ll be by much. Give me the Tide in a beatdown.
