![South Florida Bulls long snapper Andrew Beardall (48) bobbles the hold as South Florida Bulls place kicker Spencer Shrader (32) attempts to kick the game tying field goal in the second half against the Bulls at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, September 17, 2022. Florida won 31-28 [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]
Ncaa Football Florida Gators Vs Usf Bulls](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_445,w_1681,h_945/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/213/01k163gv570p7g865x9n.jpg "South Florida Bulls long snapper Andrew Beardall (48) bobbles the hold as South Florida Bulls place kicker Spencer Shrader (32) attempts to kick the game tying field goal in the second half against the Bulls at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, September 17, 2022. Florida won 31-28 [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]
Ncaa Football Florida Gators Vs Usf Bulls")
As the season is looming closer and closer, we here at Hail Florida Hail are going to continue our "Confidence Meter" series for the Florida Gators. This is a game-by-game look at how much confidence we have in Florida to win each particular game.
After giving Florida a 99.9% chance of winning its opener against LIU, the Gators will then take on USF in week two.
On paper, this is Florida's second-easiest game of the season. It also has perfect trap game vibes for the Gators.
Florida Gators take on USF in week two
In case one needs a reminder of the last time Florida took on USF, the Gators needed a botched snap from the Bulls to prevent overtime against a Jeff Scott-led USF squad.
If you are keeping score at home, Jeff Scott was 4–26 during his time with USF.
Both squads have evolved since that game, and Florida is a contender to make the playoffs this year, while USF is viewed as one of the teams that could win The American in 2025.
Florida Gators Confidence Meter Against USF - 90%
USF has had a way the past couple of seasons of making life difficult for Power Four schools. In 2023, they took Alabama to the wire and smacked Syracuse 45-0. Last year, they once again made life hard for Alabama and had a lead against Miami late in the 2nd quarter before the wheels fell off.
If he is healthy, QB Byrum Brown can make life difficult for Florida. Combined with this game being the week before Florida has to go on the road against LSU, the seeds of a trap game will be present.
Make no mistake about it though, there are zero excuses for Florida not to win this game. USF, like almost everyone in The American, had massive roster turnover and is coming into the game against Florida having played Boise State the week before, while the Gators get a cupcake in LIU.
And while Brown is a solid QB, ask anyone in the country if they would rather have Brown or DJ Lagway?
Florida also has better depth than USF, which is one of the reasons why the Bulls tend to be feisty early but fade late against Power Five schools.
The Gators should win this game by 17+ points, but don't be shocked if USF finds a way to hang around longer than most expect.