Football schedule released for 2021 season

The Bulls will play a competitive schedule from top to bottom in 2021. USF ATHLETICS PHOTO

The USF football team’s schedule was released Thursday and the first game of the 2021 season is set for Sept. 2 against NC State.

The schedule features a total of 12 games, including eight matchups against AAC opponents, and four against nonconference teams.

The four nonconference teams are NC State, Florida, Florida A&M and BYU.

Florida finished last season ranked No. 13 in the AP Poll, but will be missing some of the offensive firepower that helped them achieve that ranking. Quarterback Kyle Trask, tight end Kyle Pitts and wide receiver Kadarius Toney are leaving for the NFL and are likely to be early-mid round picks. The matchup between the two programs will still be a tough test for the Bulls, as the Gators have a surplus of talent on their roster waiting to be utilized. The game will take place on Sep. 11.

Similarly, BYU finished last season ranked No. 11 in the AP Poll, however, the Cougars are losing starting quarterback Zach Wilson to the NFL Draft. Despite Wilson’s departure, the Cougars still will be a formidable opponent. The game against BYU is the last out of conference game on the schedule, and will occur Sep. 25.

Conference play begins week five against SMU in Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, and continues from that point on throughout the rest of the season.

Per tradition, the final regular-season game will be against the UCF Knights in the War on I-4. As it currently stands, the all-time series between the Bulls and Knights is tied 6-6, so the winner of next season’s game will have bragging rights for at least one full year.

For the full schedule, click here.