The American Athletic Conference regular season culminates in a lopsided East-West clash as the No. 18 South Florida Bulls (8-3, 6-1 AAC) host the Rice Owls (5-6, 3-4 AAC) at Raymond James Stadium. South Florida, surging under Alex Golesh in year two, eyes a strong bowl resume (projected Gasparilla or Birmingham Bowl) after a dominant 38-24 win over East Carolina on November 22, extending their home streak to five. Rice, Scott Abell’s rebuilding squad, enters desperate to end a four-game skid and avoid a third straight losing season following a 56-24 blowout loss at North Texas—the Owls’ worst defeat since 2019. The Bulls’ explosive offense (top-15 nationally, 38.5 PPG) should feast on Rice’s porous defense (bottom-20, 35 PPG allowed), but the Owls’ passing game could test USF’s secondary—expect Tampa sunshine, Bull runs, and a rout with AAC seeding on the line for the hosts.
Venue Location
The game unfolds at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. This 65,890-seat NFL/AAC hybrid, opened in 1998 and renovated in 2016, is South Florida’s home since 1998 and known for its pirate ship cannons and “Rowdies” student section energy. It’s Rice’s “road” venue (a 900-mile flight from Houston), where the Bulls boast a 4-1 home record in 2025—expect a near-sellout for rivalry week.
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+ (primary), with streaming on ESPN app and Fubo. Radio: Rice’s 1560 The Game; USF’s 102.5 The Bone.
Weather Updates
Tampa’s late-November forecast offers balmy, dome-free vibes suiting offenses. Expect sunny skies with a high of 72°F (22°C) and a low around 55°F (13°C). Winds: Light 5-10 mph from the east, with 10% chance of isolated showers in the evening. Humidity ~70%—natural grass field (Bermuda) firm and fast, favoring USF’s up-tempo spread (top-15 pace) without coastal breeze to disrupt kicks.
Injury Report
USF’s depth has masked minor issues, but Rice’s O-line and secondary are hit hard amid their skid. Updates as of November 28.
Rice Owls:
| Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Impact |
| B. Baur | OG | Questionable | Undisclosed (limited vs. North Texas) | Interior starter; shuffles O-line (allowed 35 sacks, 120th nationally)—pass pro vulnerable. |
| Tyson Thompson | WR | Out | Undisclosed (midseason) | Slot receiver (20 rec, 250 yds); thins targets amid bottom-30 passing. |
| Braylen Walker | WR | Questionable | Lower body (Nov. 22) | Depth target (15 rec); limits YAC options. |
| Landon Ransom-Goelz | WR | Out | Undisclosed | Emerging slot; forces bigger sets. |
| Carson Morgan | RB | Questionable | Ankle (rotated last two) | Rotational back (300 yds); overworks lead RB in 115th rush game. |
Overall: Five key concerns; Abell noted “tough week,” with QB stable but trenches leaky.South Florida Bulls:
| Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Impact |
| C. Neptune | WR | Questionable | Undisclosed (limited vs. East Carolina) | Slot speed (25 rec, 350 yds); if out, shifts to boundary WRs—offense ranks top-15 (38.5 PPG). |
| McCoy III | QB | Probable | Undisclosed (managing since Nov. 22) | Backup to starter; full practice—depth intact. |
| Chas Nimrod | WR | Out | Undisclosed (midseason) | Depth receiver; no major ripple. |
| Brandon Winton | WR | Questionable | Lower body | Slot option (20 rec); monitored for YAC. |
| Kory Pettigrew | WR | Out | Undisclosed | Rotational; group depth tested. |
Overall: Four limited/out; Golesh called it “clean,” with run game healthy (top-40 YPG).
Player Matchups
USF’s athleticism (top-15 SP+ offense) crushes Rice’s youth (bottom-30 defense). Tampa heat adds edge; keys:
Rice QB (TBD) vs. USF Secondary: Owls’ passer (est. 2,000 yds, 12 TDs) checks down. Bulls’ DBs (top-40 efficiency, 12 INTs) swarm. Edge: USF—Bulls 7-1 with 2+ TOs; Rice 1-6 with 3+ giveaways.
USF QB Byrum Brown vs. Rice Pass Rush: Brown’s mobility (500 rush yds) extends plays. Owls’ front (bottom-60 sacks) pressures 18% dropbacks. Edge: Brown—USF 6-1 exceeding 350 yds/game.
Rice RB (post-Morgan) vs. USF Front Seven: Owl backs (120 YPG) face LBs (top-50 run D). Edge: USF—Rice 0-5 under 100 rush yds.
USF WR (Neptune questionable) vs. Rice CBs: Boundary targets (est. 1,200 yds) exploit zones. Owls bend (bottom-30 passer rating). Edge: USF—Bulls 5-2 when WRs hit 200+ yds.
Recent Team Forms
Rice Owls: Abell’s Owls crushed 56-24 at North Texas (Nov. 23), extending skid—QB flashes undone by turnovers (12 given last 3). Offense stagnant (18 PPG), D leaky (35 PPG allowed). Morale: Rebuild—1-4 ATS road.
South Florida Bulls: Golesh’s Bulls dominated East Carolina 38-24 (Nov. 22), with Brown’s poise (300 yds). Balanced (38.5 PPG), D opportunistic (13 TOs). Morale: Bowl bound—5-1 SU home.
Series History
AAC foes since 2013, USF owns edge. All-time: USF leads 3-1 (2024 USF 45-3 rout). Rice’s lone win: 2013 56-24. At Raymond James: USF 2-0. Trends: Avg. 37-20 USF; overs in 3/4.
| Year | Winner | Score | Notes |
| 2024 | USF | 45-3 | Bulls blowout |
| 2023 | USF | 38-24 | High-scoring |
| 2019 | USF | 42-20 | Dominant |
| 2013 | Rice | 56-24 | Owl upset |
Betting Trends
Rice: 5-6 ATS (45.5%); 1-4 ATS as 28+ road dogs. 6-5 O/U; overs in 5/7 away. 1-9 SU as underdog (10%). Vs. USF: 1-3 SU, 1-3 ATS.
South Florida: 7-4 ATS (63.6%); 4-1 ATS as 28+ home faves. 6-5 O/U; overs in 5/7 home. 7-1 SU as fave (87.5%). Series: 3-1 SU/ATS.
Series Trends: Favorite covers 3/4; overs 3/4 (avg. 57 pts). Home teams 2-1 SU; USF 2-0 ATS home vs. Rice. Advanced: FPI gives USF 98% win prob. USF top-15 offensive SP+; Rice 125th overall.
Game Odds
Rice Owls 58
South Florida Bulls – 28
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, November 28, 2025
