TAMPA, Fla. (USF) — For the first time since 2018, South Florida football is ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll. The Bulls checked in at No. 18 following a historic start to the season that has seen South Florida knock off ranked opponents in back-to-back games for the first time in program history and become just the fourth team since the start of the AP Poll in 1936 to win its first two games of a season against ranked opponents while being unranked itself.
South Florida also checked in at No. 23 in the Coaches Poll.
The Bulls opened the season with a dominant 34-7 victory over No. 25 Boise State in Raymond James Stadium before securing an 18-16 upset of No. 13 Florida in The Swamp on Saturday night. The victory over Florida marked the first in program history against the Gators and stands as the second-highest ranked opponent the Bulls have defeated in a road game behind only a 2006 triumph at No. 7 West Virginia.
With the victories, South Florida has now defeated 13 ranked opponents in its history, including beating two ranked foes in the same season for just the third time in program history and the first time since 2009.
The climb back into the national rankings continues a tradition of success for USF and marks the Bulls’ 49th week in the poll. USF was last ranked in Week 9 of the 2018 season, checking in at No. 20. The No. 18 ranking marks USF’s highest ever entry into the AP Poll. The program’s highest-ever ranking was No. 2, achieved on Oct. 15, 2007.
Saturday, South Florida also etched its name into history by becoming the first program in the state of Florida to win on the home field of all six other FBS programs in the state. The Bulls are also now just the ninth program in college football history to earn road wins at Florida, Florida State and Miami.
Up Next:
USF will continue the nation’s toughest non-conference schedule when the Bulls head south next Saturday to take on No. 5-ranked Miami at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. on The CW Network.
Tickets:
Season tickets for the 2025 USF football season tickets are on sale and may be purchased by calling 1-800-GoBulls or visiting this LINK.
Single-game tickets for the 2025 USF football season can be purchased by calling 1-800-GoBulls or visiting this LINK.