TAMPA, Fla. – USF’s three-game deal with Alabama that was consummated in 2019 had the Crimson Tide come to Tampa in 2023 with the Bulls traveling to Tuscaloosa in 2024 and 2026. The latter visit to Bryant-Denny Stadium, which would have been September 12, went by the board last August when the SEC announced a nine-game conference schedule, instead of eight, would be effective this season.
What ensued was a scramble by several teams that were originally part of the SEC’s non-conference schedule. Teams needed to find new opponents in what was essentially the 11th hour with respect to scheduling, which is often done years in advance.
When the dust settled for USF, an early-season conference date with Army at West Point was set for September 12 when the Bulls were originally going to be in Tuscaloosa. A matchup with Kent State was scheduled for Saturday night (7:00, ESPN+) with the Golden Flashes replacing Alabama on the non-conference schedule, and with a bonus: the game would be played at Raymond James Stadium and give the Bulls seven home dates for the first time since 2019…