South Florida at Western Kentucky - 2023 Matchup Preview

South Florida Bulls at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

Saturday, September 2nd 2023 (3:30 PM EDT)
Western Kentucky -13.5 (71.5) (0) Open: 0.0
Western Kentucky 41 - South Florida: 24

Bulls (7 - 6) (7 - 6 - 0)
Coach Alex Golesh (1 - 2)
Avg Score : 32 - 32 (33 - 43 on Road)
Record Prediction: 5.9 - 7.1 (#76)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)

Our Line: Western Kentucky -9 (SP+ WKU -8)
Projected Score: USF: 30 - WKU: 39 (70)
WKU Win prob: 84% | Cover: 56%
USF Travel: 664 miles, 1 hrs ahead

Hilltoppers (8 - 5) (6 - 7 - 0)
Coach Tyson Helton (34 - 22)
Avg Score : 31 - 29 (35 - 27 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 7.6 - 5.4 (#49)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)

Matchup
Schedules
USF Players
WKU Players
Stats
Run/Pass
Ratings
Scoring
History

South Florida's 2023 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 9/2	South Florida at Western Kentucky	+13.5	71.5	L 24 - 41	U	N
Sat 9/9	South Florida vs Florida A&M	-20.0	63.0	W 38 - 24	U	N
Sat 9/16	South Florida vs Alabama	+34.0	61.0	L 3 - 17	U	Y
Sat 9/23	South Florida vs Rice	+2.5	56.5	W 42 - 29	O	Y
Sat 9/30	South Florida at Navy	+4.0	54.0	W 44 - 30	O	Y
Sat 10/7	South Florida at UAB	-3.5	68.5	L 35 - 56	O	N
Sat 10/14	South Florida vs Florida Atlantic	-3.0	61.0	L 14 - 56	O	N
Sat 10/21	South Florida at UConn	+1.0	57.0	W 24 - 21	U	Y
	BYE WEEK
Sat 11/4	South Florida at Memphis	+13.5	68.5	L 50 - 59	O	Y
Sat 11/11	South Florida vs Temple	-7.5	70.5	W 27 - 23	U	N
Fri 11/17	South Florida at UTSA	+14.5	65.5	L 21 - 49	O	N
Sat 11/25	South Florida vs Charlotte	-7.5	56.5	W 48 - 14	O	Y
Thu 12/21	South Florida vs Syracuse	+3.0	56.0	W 45 - 0	U	Y

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for South Florida's Schedule

Western Kentucky's 2023 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 9/2	Western Kentucky vs South Florida	-13.5	71.5	W 41 - 24	U	Y
Sat 9/9	Western Kentucky vs Houston Christian	-41.5	64.5	W 52 - 22	O	N
Sat 9/16	Western Kentucky at Ohio State	+29.5	65.0	L 10 - 63	O	N
Sat 9/23	Western Kentucky at Troy	+3.5	57.0	L 24 - 27	U	Y
Thu 9/28	Western Kentucky vs Middle Tennessee	-6.5	61.0	W 31 - 10	U	Y
Thu 10/5	Western Kentucky at Louisiana Tech	-6.0	59.0	W 35 - 28	O	Y
	BYE WEEK
Tue 10/17	Western Kentucky at Jacksonville State	-7.5	60.5	L 17 - 20	U	N
Tue 10/24	Western Kentucky vs Liberty	+4.0	61.5	L 29 - 42	O	N
Sat 11/4	Western Kentucky at UTEP	-9.5	54.5	W 21 - 13	U	N
Sat 11/11	Western Kentucky vs New Mexico State	-4.5	55.5	L 29 - 38	O	N
Sat 11/18	Western Kentucky vs Sam Houston	-12.5	52.0	W 28 - 23	U	N
Sat 11/25	Western Kentucky at Florida International	-11.5	54.0	W 41 - 28	O	Y
Mon 12/18	Western Kentucky vs Old Dominion	+4.0	49.0	W 38 - 35	O	Y

Important Stats (2023)

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
USF	#79 (.17)	39% (106)	31.9	39% (112)	2.99 (92)	183	40% (82)	269	3.63 (89)	#97 (.23)	40% (41)	32.2	40% (44)	40% (47)	3.7 (60)	65.5	1.6	1.9
WKU	#47 (.22)	40% (92)	30.5	38% (119)	3.07 (78)	107	41% (70)	295	4.95 (6)	#81 (.2)	44% (98)	28.7	48% (121)	41% (53)	4 (87)	36.8	1.8	1.8

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
USF	#83 (.17)	38% (118)		39% (112)	3.06 (60)	181	38% (106)	227	3.88 (74)	#66 (.16)	39% (36)		38% (17)	40% (69)	4 (88)	70.9	1.4	2.1
WKU	#66 (.19)	42% (83)		38% (117)	2.78 (108)	110	45% (33)	265	3.83 (78)	#95 (.21)	45% (102)		48% (113)	40% (60)	3.66 (54)	41.3	1.7	1.5

Overall Stats 2023

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
USF Offense	13	31.9	33	39.2%	3.63	1.6	23	452	183	269	4.1	52%	47%	39%	40%	16%	.17
WKU Defense	13	28.7	26.5	44%	4	1.8	-	-	-	-	-	52%	47%	48%	41%	14%	.2

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
USF Defense	13	32.2	42.7	39.8%	3.7	1.9	-	-	-	-	-	45%	54%	40%	40%	19%	.23
WKU Offense	13	30.5	35	40%	4.95	1.8	20	402	107	295	3.9	38%	61%	38%	41%	16%	.22

Additional Stats 2023

Teams	Games	Possession Time	1st Downs PG	3rd Down %	4th Down %	Penalties PG	Penalty Yds PG	Off TO PG	Def TO PG	TFL PG	Sacks PG	D/ST TDs	Avg Field Pos
South Florida	13	28:35	23.1	38%	43%	7.5	65.5	1.6	1.9	7.5	1.8	1	29.9
Western Kentucky	13	29:32	20.2	43%	62%	4.5	36.8	1.8	1.8	4.4	2	1	28.2

Run Game Stats (2023)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
USF Offense	13	52% (49)	39% (112)	44.6	182.8	4.1	23 (46)	.15 (68)	2.99 (92)	81% (12)	11% (92)	1.16 (8)
WKU Defense	13	52% (94)	48% (121)	-	-	-	-	.19 (98)	3.47 (125)	73% (65)	9% (109)	0.96 (45)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
USF Defense	13	45% (16)	40% (44)	-	-	-	-	.11 (44)	2.73 (16)	69% (44)	12% (15)	1.19 (125)
WKU Offense	13	38% (128)	38% (119)	27.5	106.6	3.9	12 (116)	.06 (117)	3.07 (78)	76% (45)	8% (23)	0.93 (99)

Pass Game Stats (2023)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
USF Offense	13	47% (87)	40% (82)	22.1	34.4	268.8	7.8	12.2	27 (25)	11 (68)	.26 (73)	1.6 (64)	36% (121)	27% (95)	.31 (76)	5% (39)	2.3 (15)
WKU Defense	13	47% (37)	41% (53)	-	-	-	-	-	-	15 (15)	.27 (64)	1.6 (69)	31% (80)	32% (99)	.37 (97)	6% (81)	1.9 (26)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
USF Defense	13	54% (117)	40% (47)	-	-	-	-	-	-	14 (21)	.37 (112)	1.8 (128)	35% (33)	29% (56)	.37 (96)	7% (46)	2.3 (126)
WKU Offense	13	61% (6)	41% (70)	26.4	41.5	295.2	7.1	11.2	38 (3)	14 (107)	.35 (42)	1.7 (29)	33% (90)	31% (69)	.39 (46)	9% (128)	2.4 (4)

South Florida's Power Ratings
South Florida's Power Rating: -5.66 #95
South Florida's Offense Rating: 13.60 #94
South Florida's Defense Rating: 11.46 #92
2023 Talent Rating: 482.00 #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #75
South Florida's 2023 Expected Record: 5.90 - 7.10
South Florida's 2023 Overall SP+ Rating: -9.5 #102
South Florida's Offense SP+ Rating: 27.2 #61
South Florida's Defense SP+ Rating: 36.0 #123

Average Talent
Average American Athletic Talent Rating is 482
Average Power Five Talent: 482
Average FBS Talent: 482

Power Ratings Matchup
South Florida: -5.66 Western Kentucky: 1.245

SP+ Ratings Matchup
South Florida: -9.5 Western Kentucky: -1.5

Western Kentucky's Power Ratings
Western Kentucky's Power Rating: 1.245 #70
Western Kentucky's Offense Rating: 18.92 #46
Western Kentucky's Defense Rating: 9.89 #70
2023 Talent Rating: 482.00 #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 #75
Western Kentucky's 2023 Expected Record: 7.60 - 5.40
Western Kentucky's 2023 Overall SP+ Rating: -1.5 #72
Western Kentucky's Offense SP+ Rating: 28.4 #55
Western Kentucky's Defense SP+ Rating: 29.0 #86

Average Talent
Average Conference USA Talent Rating is 482
Average Power Five Talent: 482
Average FBS Talent: 482

South Florida Scoring
Offense: 31.9 PPG
Offense on Road: 33
Defense: 32.2 PPG
Defense on Road: 42.7

South Florida's 2023 Record
Record: 7 - 6
Record vs Spread: 7 - 6 - 0
Over/Under Record: 7 - 6
Record on Road: 3 - 4
Record vs Spread on Road: 3 - 3 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 6 - 2 - 0
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 3 - 2 - 0

Projected Score
Western Kentucky 39
South Florida 30

Total Points: 70

Based on Last 4 Games
Western Kentucky 45
South Florida 25

Total Points: 70

Based on Entire Season
Western Kentucky 35
South Florida 30

Total Points: 65

Western Kentucky Scoring
Offense: 30.5 PPG
Offense at Home: 35
Defense: 28.7 PPG
Defense at Home: 26.5

Western Kentucky's 2023 Record
Record: 8 - 5
Record vs Spread: 6 - 7 - 0
Over/Under Record: 7 - 6
Record at home: 4 - 2
Record vs Spread at home: 2 - 4 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 4 - 5 - 0
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 2 - 3 - 0

Year	Date	Home	Score	Away	Score	Spread	Cover	Total	O/U
2023	09/02	Western Kentucky	41	South Florida	24	Western Kentucky -13.5	Western Kentucky	71.5	Under
2015	12/21	South Florida	35	Western Kentucky	45	Western Kentucky -3	Western Kentucky	0
2010	09/25	South Florida	24	Western Kentucky	12
2009	09/12	Western Kentucky	13	South Florida	35
2000	11/03	South Florida	30	Western Kentucky	24

Team	Wins	Covers	O/U
Western Kentucky	2	2	0 Overs
South Florida	3	0	1 Unders

	Wins	Covers	Favs	Dogs
Home Teams	3 - 2	1 - 1	1 - 0	0 - 1
Road Teams	2 - 3	1 - 1	1 - 0	0 - 1

(#95) USF at (#70) WKU

Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCat	USF	WKU
Net PPPPPP	NR	NR
Power RatePwr	#95	#70
SP+SP+	#102	#72
Perf GradeGrade	#102	#108
OffenseOff	#107	#111
DefenseDef	#78	#90
Spec TeamsST	#79	#33
TalentTal	#1	#1
Blue ChipsBC%	#75	#75

South Florida Injury Report

Western Kentucky Injury Report

South Florida on Offense


CategoryCat	USF Off	WKU Def
PPPOffPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	#107	#90
SuccessSuc	#106	#98
ExplosiveExp	#28	#41
PPAPPA	#79	#81
PowerPwr	#94	#70
SP+SP+	#61	#86
Pts POPPO	#89	#87
HavocHav	#77	#114

South Florida Run Game


CategoryCat	USF Off	WKU Def
Run GameRun	#57	#122
Run SuccessRSuc	#112	#121
Run ExplRExp	#8	#45
PPAExp	#68	#98
Run BlockR Blk	#130	-
OL YdsOLY	#92	#125
Stuff RateStuff	#83	#118
TackleTak	-	#128

South Florida Pass Game


CategoryCat	USF Off	WKU Def
Pass GamePass	#74	#35
Pass SuccessPSuc	#82	#53
Pass ExplPExl	#64	#69
PPAExp	#73	#64
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk	#93	#63
F7 HavocF7	#92	#109
DB HavocDB	#39	#81

Western Kentucky on Offense


CategoryCat	WKU Off	USF Def
PPPDefPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	#111	#78
SuccessSuc	#92	#41
ExplosiveExp	#8	#131
PPAPPA	#47	#97
PowerPwr	#46	#92
SP+SP+	#55	#123
Pts POPPO	#6	#60
HavocHav	#74	#15

Western Kentucky Run Game


CategoryCat	WKU Off	USF Def
Run GameRun	#133	#53
Run SuccessRSuc	#119	#44
Run ExplRExp	#99	#125
PPAExp	#117	#44
Run BlockR Blk	#127	-
OL YdsOLY	#78	#16
Stuff RateStuff	#19	#17
TackleTak	-	#111

Western Kentucky Pass Game


CategoryCat	WKU Off	USF Def
Pass GamePass	#75	#103
Pass SuccessPSuc	#70	#47
Pass ExplPExl	#29	#128
PPAExp	#42	#112
Pass Block/RushP Blk	#83	#48
F7 HavocF7	#23	#15
DB HavocDB	#128	#46

Program Comparison
WKU 5 Year Profile: Declining Top G5
'23 Profile: Remains Top G5

USF 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg G5
'23 Profile: Remains Below Avg G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Houchens Industries-L. T. Smith Stadium
Conditions: Clear
Temp: 90° - Wind: 6 mph

Rematch from Week 1
Western Kentucky -13.5 (71.5)
Western Kentucky won vs South Florida this year (41-24)

Previous Matchups
Western Kentucky beat South Florida in 2023 (41-24)

USF's OC Joel Gordon (in his first season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Byrum Brown	276	426	65%	3292	26	11	7.7
Bryce Archie (Tr)	7	15	47%	53	0	0	3.5

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Byrum Brown	203	809	11	4.0	60
Nay'Quan Wright (Tr)	180	797	8	4.4	47
Michel Dukes	63	350	2	5.6	30
K'Wan Powell	61	215	1	3.5	27

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Sean Atkins	92	1054	7	11.5	88
Naiem Simmons (Tr)	39	637	5	16.3	53
Khafre Brown	27	435	5	16.1	84
Mike Brown-Stephens (Tr)	27	350	2	13.0	38

View South Florida's Full Roster

USF's DC Todd Orlando (in his first season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Jhalyn Shuler	97	9	2	3	5
Daquan Evans	64	14	4	5	7
Jaelen Stokes	61	5	2	1	1
James Gordon Iv	58	9	4	4	2

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Daquan Evans	64	14	4	5	7
James Gordon Iv	58	9	4	4	2
Jhalyn Shuler	97	9	2	3	5
Jonathan Ross	47	7	2	2	1

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Tavin Ward	38	3	0	0	8
Daquan Evans	64	14	4	5	7
Jhalyn Shuler	97	9	2	3	5

WKU's OC Drew Hollingshead (in his first season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Austin Reed (Tr)	289	470	62%	3324	31	11	7.1
Caden Veltkamp	41	54	76%	387	5	1	7.2

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Elijah Young	104	490	3	4.7	64
Markese Stepp	69	310	3	4.5	56
Davion Ervin-Poindexter	63	241	1	3.8	18
LT Sanders	31	138	0	4.5	56

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Malachi Corley	79	984	11	12.5	75
Dalvin Smith	50	513	6	10.3	45
Easton Messer	42	484	4	11.5	35
Jimmy Holiday (Tr)	20	326	2	16.3	39

View Western Kentucky's Full Roster

WKU's DC Tyson Summers (in his second season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Kendrick Simpkins	50	12	8	8	1
Talique Allen (Tr)	48	1	0	1	3
Kylan Guidry	48	6	3	1	0
Desmyn Baker	41	3	1	2	1

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Kendrick Simpkins	50	12	8	8	1
Kylan Guidry	48	6	3	1	0
Sebastian Benjamin	25	3	3	2	0
Hosea Wheeler	40	4	2	1	0

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Upton Stout	24	1	1	5	8
Rome Weber	19	1	0	0	7
Anthony Johnson Jr.	36	1	0	0	5