The South Florida Bulls enter game ten at 6-3 overall and 2-3 in the American after a heartbreaking 20-17 loss at ECU on a 55-yard field goal as time expired. Memphis comes to Tampa at 7-2 and 4-1 in conference play, bringing one of the most explosive offenses in the country into a Thursday night ESPN matchup.
This will be a tall task for the Bulls, without a doubt.
Let’s dig in.
5 Keys to Victory: USF vs. Memphis
1. Disrupt Marcus Stokes, make him uncomfortable
Everything starts with Memphis quarterback Marcus Stokes. He’s the engine that drives the Tigers.
Stokes has been one of the best quarterbacks in the country, throwing for 2,532 yards and 25 touchdowns with a 178.7 passer efficiency rating. Against Army, he completed 29 of 35 passes for 371 yards and four touchdowns, while adding another score on the ground. He’s lightning in a bottle.
USF cannot let him sit in the pocket and work through his progressions, or he will pick the Bulls apart. C.J. Hicks, Grayson Howard, Zavier Hamilton and the Bulls’ front need to create pressure without constantly selling out with blitzes.
This will be a 60 minute battle for defensive coordinator Josh Aldridge’s 25th ranked Total Defense, which has held opponents to 312.7 yards per game this season.
2. Eliminate explosive plays
Memphis ranks among the nation’s best offenses for a reason. The Tigers are tough to cage.
The Tigers are averaging 513.3 yards and 37.6 points per game, including 290.6 passing yards and 222.8 rushing yards. They are also a top team in the country in first downs.
That balance makes Memphis especially dangerous because USF cannot simply load the box or sit in two-high coverage all night. Aldridge will need to mix and disguise looks to have success Thursday night.
The Bulls will need disciplined tackling, sound pursuit angles and stay disciplined in coverage. Keep the ball in front and make Memphis string together 10 or 12 plays to score. When the Bulls get the Tigers to third down, they must get off the field.
3. Keep feeding D.J. Crowther, help Luke Kromenhoek
USF may again be working through the quarterback situation after Michael Van Buren missed the ECU game with an undisclosed injury. In his first start, Luke Kromenhoek completed 17 of 21 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown, while D.J. Crowther rushed for 111 yards on 17 carries (6.5 yds/car) before going down with an injury.
If Crowther is available Tim Beck needs to lean on the ground game and make life easier for Kromenhoek, given Memphis’ rushing defense is 122nd nationally allowing 187.9 yards per game. But, if Crowther isn’t available it is a huge loss for the Bulls and it will be tough sledding. Jason Collins, Jr. will have to be the bell cow, but filling Crowther’s shoes will be tough.
Memphis has enough offensive firepower that USF simply cannot afford repeated three-and-outs. Long drives shorten the game, keep Stokes on the sideline and allow the Bulls’ defense to stay fresh.
4. Red-zone trips MUST BE touchdowns
USF left points on the field once again last Friday night against ECU.
The Bulls were setup first-and-goal at the ECU 10 late in the first half but settled for a 30-yard Nico Gramatica field goal, one of several moments where offensive execution prevented USF from creating meaningful separation.
Against Memphis, three points will not cut it.
The Tigers scored on all six red-zone trips against Army, all of which for touchdowns.
When USF gets inside the 20, Tim Beck has to dial up plays that finish drives. The Bulls need touchdowns to keep pace with a Memphis offense that ranks fifth nationally in total offense at 513.3 yards per game.
5. Finish the fourth quarter
This one is impossible to ignore.
USF’s three losses have come by a combined 14 points. Temple scored late to win 17-13 on a 96-yard drive, UTSA drove 74 yards for the deciding touchdown, and ECU kicked a 55-yard field goal as time expired. Can’t make this stuff up folks.
The Bulls have been close enough to win every game, but tight contests continue to allude Brian Hartline so far in 2026. The late fade has grown into an undeniable problem.
Against Memphis, there cannot be another busted assignment, costly penalty or missed opportunity when the game reaches the final five minutes.
This team needs to prove it can finish.
The Bulls must pressure Marcus Stokes, limit explosive plays downfield, lean on Crowther and Collins, finish drives with touchdowns, and close out in the fourth quarter.
Memphis is the most complete offense USF has faced all season. The Tigers have won three straight, including a 49-22 dismantling of Army, and Stokes is playing at an elite level.
But USF has shown that its defense can keep it in almost any game. The question Thursday night is whether the offense can finally give that defense enough support and whether the Bulls can close out a tight game instead of watching another one slip away on primetime.
Thursday night. ESPN. Raymond James Stadium. The stage is set for USF to make a statement against Memphis. Can the Bulls deliver their best offensive performance of the season? That’s what it’ll take.
As always, Go Bulls!