The college football season begins Thursday night in Tampa as the Boise State Broncos visit the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium. Boise State enters the game ranked No. 25 after a 12-2 season that ended with a College Football Playoff loss to Penn State. South Florida went 7-6 last year, winning a second straight bowl under coach Alex Golesh.
This will be the first meeting between the two programs. Boise State comes in as a 5.5-point favorite, but they are adjusting after the loss of star running back Ashton Jeanty to the NFL. South Florida is set to return quarterback Byrum Brown, who missed most of last year with an injury but had a breakout season in 2023.
Boise State Preview – Broncos Begin Post-Jeanty Era
Boise State is moving forward without Jeanty, who rushed for 2,601 yards last season. The Broncos will rely on Fresno State transfer Malik Sherrod and redshirt freshman Sire Gaines to handle the backfield workload. Both players are expected to split carries to keep the ground game steady.
Quarterback Maddux Madsen returns after throwing for 3,018 yards, 23 touchdowns, and just six interceptions last year. He showed strong decision-making in the Mountain West title run and will be expected to carry more of the offense this year. The Broncos averaged 222 passing yards per game in 2024 and leaned on efficient drives.
Defensively, Boise State was consistent, holding five of their last six opponents under 24 points. Coach Spencer Danielson has stressed the importance of stopping the run first, which was a key in their 12-win season. The Broncos ended the year 9-1 in their last 10 games, with a 5-4-1 mark against the spread.
South Florida Preview – Bulls Banking on Brown’s Return
South Florida begins the season with a tough opening stretch that includes games against Florida and Miami after Boise State. Coach Alex Golesh has improved the program, winning bowl games in each of his first two seasons. His focus has been on building a faster offense that can push the tempo.
Quarterback Byrum Brown is healthy and ready to lead the Bulls again. In 2023, he threw for 3,292 yards with 26 touchdowns and added 809 rushing yards and 11 scores on the ground. His return gives USF a proven dual-threat option who can challenge Boise State’s defense.
The Bulls defense will need to show progress after allowing 30 points per game in 2024. They were often outmatched by stronger offensive lines and struggled against the run. USF will need to contain Boise State’s balanced attack if they want to pull an upset at home.
Betting Prediction
Boise State enters the game as a 5.5-point favorite with the total set at 63.5. The Broncos were 9-1 in their final 10 games last year, showing they consistently found ways to win. Their passing game with Madsen gives them a reliable option even as they adjust to a new backfield rotation.
South Florida will benefit from Brown’s return, but their defense remains a concern. Boise State has the more complete team and should be able to control the game on both sides of the ball. A predicted score of 34-24 points to Boise State covering the spread on the road.
Pick: Boise State -5.5
