As the race for the American Conference crown heats up, Week 7 brings an anticipated battle of No. 24 USF and North Texas.
Friday night’s game (7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2) sees head coach Alex Golesh’s South Florida squad facing Eric Morris’ Mean Green crew. With both sides chasing Memphis and Navy in the standings, it’s a downright critical matchup.
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USF vs. North Texas Prediction, Preview for Week 7
Friday marks the third all-time meeting between USF and North Texas. The Bulls lead the series 2-0, boasting a combined scoring margin of +31.
The most recent bout was back in 2002, when South Florida stormed into Denton, TX and defeated the Mean Green 24-17.
USF Bulls Preview
- After kicking off his tenure with back-to-back 7-6 seasons — not to mention a couple of bowl game wins — Golesh is off to a hot start in 2025.
- Thanks to a 4-1 record — including a perfect 1-0 mark in conference play — USF is in the AP poll for the first time since 2018.
- A 49-12 loss to No. 5 Miami in Week 3 seems like a distant memory. Since then, the Bulls rattled off blowout triumphs over South Carolina State (63-14) and Charlotte (54-26).
- South Florida’s success comes on defense, ranking 25th in EPA/play and EPA/pass according to Game on Paper.
North Texas Mean Green Preview
- Following consecutive losing seasons under Morris, North Texas is on the mend. Year three in the American conference sees them averaging 44.8 points per game — eighth in the nation.
- Week 7 marks the first time North Texas received votes in the AP Top 25 and Coaches polls in seven years.
- It’s also the first 5-0 start for the program since 1959.
- The Mean Green live up to their name, boasting a feisty rushing attack (No. 15 EPA/play) and a solid defense (No. 42 EPA/play).
USF vs. North Texas Picks for CFB DFS & PrizePicks
Below are some top USF vs. North Texas picks to target for Week 7. Friday night’s crop of PrizePicks player projections include USF’s QB-WR duo of Byrum Brown and Chas Nimrod, as well as North Texas QB Drew Mestemaker.
USF QB Byrum Brown Projection: 321.5 Pass+Rush Yards
- Now past an injury-shortened 2024 season, the Brown renaissance is here. He has 13 TDs in five games.
- Brown averages 295.2 all-purpose yards per game, as well as a conference-leading 13 yards per completion.
- Week 6 saw the senior signal caller throw for 211 yards and 4 TDs, then add a staggering 162 rushing yards and another score against Charlotte.
- North Texas’ defensive weakness is against the run. They rank 104th in success rate, per Game on Paper, and are 79th in EPA/play.
USF WR Chas Nimrod Projection: 68.5 Receiving Yards
- Joining Golesh in leaving Tennessee for USF seems to be panning out for Nimrod. He has career-high marks in receiving yards (421) and TDs (3).
- According to Game on Paper, Nimrod’s 22.36 receiving EPA ranks 65th out of 716 qualified players.
- Eighteen FBS WRs have at least 12 deep targets this season. Per Pro Football Focus, Nimrod leads the crop in yards per catch at 46.
- The Mean Green defense can sometimes be had down the field. That side of the ball ranks in the 10th percentile in pass-game explosives allowed.
North Texas QB Drew Mestemaker Projection: 257.5 Pass Yards
- Year two is off to a lava-hot start for Mestemaker. He’s thrown 11 TDs and leads the American Conference in adjusted yards per attempt (9.4) and rating (158.4).
- Out of 139 qualified field generals, Mestemaker is 18th in EPA/dropback at 0.32.
- Since throwing for 329 yards in North Texas’ opener, Mestemaker averages 229.5 passing yards per contest.
- USF’s defense ranks in the 31st percentile in yards per dropback.
Make #24 USF vs. North Texas Picks on PrizePicks
With college football teams still jockeying for positioning in the standings, Friday night’s game is massive for both of these programs.
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