South Florida will make it three American Athletic Conference teams in the AP Top 25 this week as they climb up above the cut line in the poll. They remain one of a handful of FBS teams that are undefeated after the first weekend of October, a list that dwindled by several teams with high-profile losses elsewhere around the country.
Charlie Strong’s crew crushed UMass on the ground, as Jordan Cronkrite finished with 302 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries. Johnny Ford added 77 yards and a pair of scores on nine touches, and quarterback Blake Barnett added a 17-yard carry along the way. Barnett was hot-and-cold passing the ball, going 17-of-24 for 209 yards with a touchdown and a pick.
The Bulls boast two wins over Power Five opponents, and they remain one of three undefeated AAC East teams. If they keep winning, they will keep vaulting up the Top 25 ahead of big division showdowns against Cincinnati and UCF later in the season.