The Big No. 24 USF vs. North Texas Preview

The last time USF played in Denton, Texas, was during the most successful season in program history to that point. The 2002 Bulls finished 9-2, including a 24-17 win over the Mean Green on October 5. USF had lost to Arkansas 42-3 two Saturdays prior, and hung around with Oklahoma for a half before falling 31-17 the week before. But touchdowns by Quinton Callum, Chris Iskra, and Huey Whittaker got the Bulls back over .500 after a 2-2 start, and if you too remember those Bulls legends it’s time to schedule your next colonoscopy.

It would be the first of seven consecutive wins by USF to close the 2002 season, and they would become the best team of the 21st Century to not make a bowl game. It was the final Bulls season before joining Conference USA, and every bowl spot got filled by a team in a league. So despite finishing No. 23 in the final BCS Rankings, USF did not get a postseason celebration.

There is a hierarchy of seasons in the 29-year history of USF football, and the first big one was 2002. You can add 2007, 2016, and 2017, and that’s the Mount Rushmore. It’s not really even up for debate, as both the 2016 and 2017 teams both finished 10+ wins for the first time ever in program history heartbreaking conference losses that kept them out of the AAC Championship Game via tiebreakers. And the 2007 version spent 105 glorious hours as the No. 2 team in the nation, before a midseason swoon rebounded to a 9-3 finish, and then a bowl game loss to Oregon we really should make a documentary about someday.

Tonight in Denton determines whether the 2025 Bulls have a chance to not only join the group above, but perhaps jump to the head of the line. Their 18-16 win at The Swamp is another scalp on the wall for a program that has historically punched well above weight as a guarantee game opponent. But the Bulls are 0-22 in chasing conference championships, and the next two road games (including Memphis on October 25) likely determines if South Florida will finally get a chance to play for a title.

With the exception of a substandard Washington State team they obliterated 59-10 in Week 3, North Texas ain’t played nobody Pawwwwwllll. A 33-30 escape at Western Michigan in Week 2 was dicey, and a near epic collapse against Army in Week 4 was only staved off in overtime.

UNT led Army 38-28 with three minutes remaining, but allowed a 68-yard TD pass on a horrific coverage bust by sophomore nickel Quinton Hammonds. UNT’s Makenzie McGill II then fumbled on their first play from scrimmage after regaining possession, and Army took 14 plays to go another 50 yards, but came up just short in regulation and kicked a 23-yard field goal to tie as time expired before losing in OT.

To be noted:

• USF is 2-0 all-time against North Texas, and both wins saw Marquel Blackwell as the Bulls quarterback. In 2001 Clenton Crossley rushed for two TD’s, Blackwell added one more as a rusher, and Maurice Jones had a 52-yard scoop-and-score in a 28-10 victory. All four PAT’s were made by Santiago Gramatica, the uncle of current Bulls kicker Nico.
• The Bulls have never beaten the Mean Green however, only the North Texas Eagles. It wasn’t until 2005 that UNT leaned fully into the Mean Green nickname that had been around the team since the 1966 season, which was led by a defense with NFL Hall-of-Famer Mean Joe Greene. There is still an Eagle mascot used by the team, but the Mean Green is the official nickname.
• Gold Sheet Stats: Both teams are 4-1 against the spread this season and 3-2 vs. the Over. The Bulls have only failed to cover against Miami, while UNT won the game if not the expectations against Western Michigan. UNT is a one-point favorite as of this writing, with the consensus total set at 66.5.
• SP+ rankings: USF 55th overall (51st offense, 61st defense, 19th special teams). UNT 43rd overall (16th offense, 79th defense, 68th special teams)
• The Mean Green are 3-50 all-time against ranked opponents, and No. 24 USF will be the fifth AP-ranked team to come to Denton. UNT is 2-2 in those home games, and 1-49 on the road or vs. neutral opponents.
• Both teams have forced 11 turnovers in five games, while UNT has given the ball away just three times compared with seven for the Bulls.
• The Bulls sit 27th in Strength of Schedule Played so far in 2025 according to ESPN, with UNT at 131st of 136 teams. Only UNLV, UConn, New Mexico State, San Diego State, and Navy have had it easier in terms of opponent quality.