2026 Week 2 Preview: South Florida Bulls @ Army Black Knights
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Game notes
- Time and date: Saturday, September 12 at 12:00 p.m. ET
- Network: CBS Sports Network
- Location: Michie Stadium — West Point, NY
- Spread: Army (-3.5)
- Over/under: 46.5
- All-time series: Series tied, 1-1
- Last meeting: Army 42, South Florida 35 — October 16, 2004
- Current streak: Army, 1 (2004)
Setting the scene
Army and South Florida have never met as American Conference opponents. Yet, they met twice as conference opponents in 2003 and 2004. There was an extremely brief period of time where the Black Knights and Bulls shared Conference USA.
Over two decades later, Army and South Florida reconverge with their sights set on winning a wide-open American Conference. Saturday represents the conference opener for both teams alike — a perfect opportunity to post a 1-0 in the American standings just one weekend after Labor Day.
Army owns the significant continuity advantage with a 13th-year head coach in Jeff Monken and 11 returning starters from 2025. South Florida does not enjoy that advantage, starting anew under first-year head coach Brian Hartline with only two returning starters from the prior season.
South Florida Bulls outlook
South Florida is 1-0 and defeated an FBS opponent by double-digits. It only allowed three points prior to the final play of the game. Yet, the Bulls proved they have a long way to go to contend in the American Conference.
Last season under Alex Golesh, USF owned the nation’s fifth-ranked scoring offense (40.5 points per game) and third-ranked total offense (489 yards per game). Week 1 was a far cry from that.
At home, the Bulls only recorded 208 total yards against FIU’s defense — 100 passing and 108 rushing. They never sustained a possession longer than 39 yards and averaged just 3.7 yards per play. The offense only managed two field goals across the first three quarters, but USF scored 13 in the fourth quarter thanks to short fields from three consecutive FIU turnovers.
First-year head coach Brian Hartline, who previously served as Ohio State’s offensive coordinator, must maximize his offensive opportunities in Week 2, as possessions are often limited in games against Army. The Bulls will place their faith in former Mississippi State and LSU quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr.
Van Buren ended 2025 on a high note with 267 passing yards and three touchdowns in the Texas Bowl, and that needs to translate to his new offense. The Bulls lacked explosives and failed to pick up more than 14 yards on a single play, when last year’s team had the most 40+ yard pickups in the FBS at 28 — calculating to 2.2 per game. Big Ten transfers Arhmad Branch (Purdue) and Bryson Rodgers (Ohio State) are expected to be the feature receivers in this revamped offense — although they are adjusting to significantly expanded roles this season.
Jason Collins Jr. and D.J. Crowther were the only tailbacks utilized in the run game in Week 1, but South Florida could expand its running back room after averaging just 2.2 yards per game on the ground. Alvon Isaac is a Golesh era holdover in the room, still seeking his first carry of 2026 after totaling 491 yards from scrimmage last fall.
South Florida’s defense only surrendered nine points in the opener, and six were on the final play. Still, it was far from a brilliant performance considering FIU racked up 381 yards. The Panthers often got in their own way by committing regular penalties and turning the ball over three times in the second half. Still, USF deserves credit for the takeaways, stepping up and making plays in crucial moments of the game.
The defense’s lone returning starter, free safety Tavin Ward, recorded five tackles and an interception, while BYU transfer nickel Tayvion Beasley added four stops and a pick, making a perfect read on a screen pass. USF’s defense was stronger against the run game, which it will take a heavy dose of at Army. Defensive end C.J. Hicks, a former 5-star Ohio State recruit, is expected to be the hero of the defensive front this year, and USF will rely on him to record first-level stops against the Black Knights’ effective option attack.
Army Black Knights outlook
Army’s 2026 is already off to a far more fortunate start than the prior year. The Black Knights were stunned by FCS competition to open 2025, and the shockwaves were felt through the rest of September, as Army stumbled to a 1-3 record. The Black Knights recovered to finish 7-6, but they weren’t too far off from greatness. Five of their six defeats came by one score and were winnable in the final two minutes.
With eight returning offensive starters, including quarterback Cale Hellums, Army has every reason to believe it can turn a season of “almosts” into a season of success. The Black Knights started on perfect footing, dismantling FCS opponent Bryant 59-3 in the opener.
Army stuck to its guns in the opener, running every last ounce out of the football. The Black Knights grounded it 57 times for 569 yards, essentially averaging a first down per rushing attempt. They involved 16 different ball carriers in the highest rushing output by an FBS program since 2022. Hellums, who led all FBS quarterbacks with 1,223 rushing yards last year, picked up where he left off with 87 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries. Slot back Zach Mundell, who hadn’t recorded a stat since 2023, thrived in his opportunity, taking four attempts for 105 yards and two touchdowns last Saturday.
The distribution won’t go 16 deep against South Florida. Hellums will be the focal point of the rushing attack, but there should also be substantial involvement from running back Godspower Nwawuihe. The former quarterback switched positions last season, and that change ultimately won him Fenway Bowl MVP honors. Nwawuihe exploded for 171 yards and two breakaway touchdowns in that bowl, earning him the most reps out of the backfield in Week 1.
Army increased its aerial presence in the early 2020s but cut down on passing in 2024, when Monken appointed Cody Worley to offensive coordinator. The Black Knights were dead last in passing yards per game in consecutive seasons, and in the rare times Hellums does drop back, expect running back Samari Howard and wide receiver Brady Anderson to be the targets. The two offensive mainstays accounted for four of seven receptions and 59 of 79 receiving yards last weekend.
Perhaps the Black Knights’ best defense is a dominant offense that chews up clock. Army has unsurprisingly led the nation in time of possession for two-straight seasons, and that keeps the defense fresh. Thus, just a couple stops could go a long way in a game with limited possessions. Army lost most of its starting defense from last year, but opening with an FCS opponent helped the new-look group gain confidence.
Defensive end Jack Bousum, coming off 1.5 tackles for loss in Week 1, and cornerback Jaydan Mayes, who had four interceptions during Army’s 2024 American championship season, are the key veterans to watch in this unit.
Prediction
Army isn’t exactly the opponent you want to face when trying to jump-start the offense. Possessions are at a premium, and the demand to execute is high. South Florida is still looking for an identity on offense after the passing game and run game were equally limited in Week 1.
The Bulls don’t have the same warp-speed tempo from the Alex Golesh era, and that could help against Army, because quick possessions could wear down the defense. But South Florida will need to record stops against a disciplined and synchronized Army offense, which becomes even more dangerous in Cale Hellums’ second year as a starter.
Army’s offense sets the tone and plays ahead the entire game, defending a renovated Michie Stadium and starting conference play a perfect 1-0.
Prediction: Army 28, South Florida 16
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