TAMPA, Fla. – There are three games remaining for the Bulls, who need to win twice to attain bowl eligibility. Of course, the larger picture that is Alex Golesh’s rebuild stretches far beyond a bowl.
“We have so much to work on, our process and how we continue to go to work every day,” said the second-year coach, whose team is 4-5, including 2-3 in the American. “The postseason piece is really important for us to continue to grow and develop, but I am more focused on us continuing to lay a foundation and continuing to develop.”
READ: Tampa Bay Rays Announce Temporary Home For 2025 Season Due To Hurricane Damage
That is where the focus should be. After all, Golesh inherited a program requiring a journey, not a sprint. The next step in the process is Saturday afternoon at Charlotte, the first of the three remaining regular season games against conference foes.
Saturday: at Charlotte (3-6/2-3) | 3:30 ESPN+
This will be a different team than that one the Bulls clinched bowl eligibility against at Raymond James Stadium last Thanksgiving weekend. Coach Biff Poggi overhauled the roster following a dismal 2023, and there have unmistakably been signs of promise. The 49ers, who last played October 31, may not have shown much promise in losing their last three games – Navy, Memphis and Tulane — by a combined 118-48. Still, there is a difference in the compete level.
Three QBs have started this season, including former Gator Max Brown. Poggi noted in his Tuesday presser it will be Brown or freshman Deshawn Purdie starting against the Bulls.
READ: Decarius Hawthorne’s Warm Personality Resonates Throughout USF Football Program
November 23: vs. Tulsa (3-7/1-5) | 3:30 ESPN+
The final home game of the 2024 season will be against the Golden Hurricane, which lost (38-31) to visiting East Carolina on Thursday evening and will have a little more than a week off before arriving at Raymond James Stadium. Tulsa, which has been outscored by an average of 26 points in conference play, is allowing 38.4 points per game overall to rank 131st among 134 FBS teams.
November 30: at Rice (3-7/2-4) | Time & TV TBD
Coach Mike Bloomgren was fired following a 17-10 loss at UConn on October 26 that dropped the Owls’ record to 2-6. Under interim Pete Alamar, who was associate head coach, they defeated visiting Navy, 24-10, in a game that featured more than five hours of weather delays, and lost at Memphis last week, 27-20.
While the Owls will endure a tenth straight losing season, they have been outscored by only 20 points (237-217) this season. Quarterback and Temple transfer E.J. Warner, who the Bulls have seen twice, has struggled with undisclosed injuries (missed the UConn game) and is 108th among 119 QBs in pass efficiency.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Android Users: Download our free app to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.