South Florida (4-2) wants to get back on track at Raymond James Stadium tonight. Kent State (2-4) visits at 7 p.m. on ESPN+ in a nonconference matchup.
USF insider Reina Valdés-Kowalski loves Gasparilla pirate bits. She's eager to forget last week's 31-24 loss at UTSA and back an offense led by Michael Van Buren Jr., who has thrown five touchdowns without an interception, and D.J. Crowther, who has seven rushing scores. Kent State insider Ozzie Brannigan always expects the worst and is somehow cheerful about it. Western Michigan beat the Flashes 38-7 last week, but Dru DeShields and receiver Wayne Harris are healthy and ready for a fresh start.
Neither team has a quarterback injury. ESPN ranks Kent State's offense near the bottom of the country, so the Bulls' defense should be in a good spot. Warm Tampa weather and a home crowd should help USF build an early lead and lean on Crowther.
Our call: South Florida 32, Kent State 10.