By – Devin Sanguinett 

You don’t lose this game if everything doesn’t completely collapse. There was not a single good Buccaneers’ player on the field outside the running backs. Special teams bad. Offense bad. Defense bad. I don’t care how injured you are, this is an embarrassing loss. The Saints now have three wins on the season. At least we can commiserate with the Panthers in the corner as they probably take the division.

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The only part of this team that functioned as intended was the run game. not Bucky. He was mostly ineffective outside of a big run. Rachaad and Tucker mostly carried the slack though. Rachaad had 53 yards on 11 carries while Tucker had 29 yards on 7 carries. Thus concludes the only positive segment of this article.

Offensive Offense

The offense was complete dogshit for 90% of this game. It felt less like the Saints making good plays as opposed to the offense shooting itself in the dick. Repeatedly. With a 12 gauge shotgun. To best exemplify that, let’s look at the 4th down conversion rate. 1 for 6. Yes, you are reading that correctly. the Buccaneers failed to convert on five fourth downs. Nearly all of which were 4th and 1. It was an embarrassing display. At no point did anyone on the coaching staff question maybe just punting. No one. Because dear reader that would’ve been smart.

You want a culprit for why the offense kept sputtering, look to the man under center. Baker has done everything possible to play himself off of the team. He looks completely lost out there as he misses easy throws and makes terrible decisions. On the last play for the offense, Baker had Otton wide open in the middle. But Baker decided he didn’t like Otton’s cleats as they were dirty, so he threw the football right at them. He got completely outplayed by Tyler Shough. He wasn’t exactly being helped by his receivers as Egbuka and Godwin had some catches fly off the useless stumps on the end of their arms.

Defenseless

Oh speaking of Shough, the defense couldn’t stop him over the middle if their lives depended on it. They had some success in the first half, but in the second, it was a complete no show. Bowles was calling an iffy game, but his players completely fucked him as well. Lavonte missed an easy tackle to stop a first down conversion and five players missed tackles on Shough as he ran it for an easy TD.

That’s not to say Bowles did a good job. Because he didn’t. The pass rush disappeared in the second half and the middle of the field was wider than the grand canyon. I thought we cut our linebackers mid game as they weren’t anywhere to be seen. They also couldn’t defend on third down in the second half as the Saints converted all but one. There was a drive where the Saints passed the ball once and ran the rest of the time. It wasn’t a three and out, but a long FG drive. Bowles just didn’t adjust. McCollum wasn’t even the worst part of this defense.

Not So Special Teams 

And don’t even get me started on special teams. First kick of the game, ball goes past midfield on the return. Basic stuff that is constantly being screwed up at every turn.

If I was Jason Licht, I would pull this game up while I’m deciding who to fire at the end of the season. It should provide the answers he needs. Unless David Walker is the second coming of Demarcus Lawrence, not a single player they are missing would’ve gotten them the win. Morrison wouldn’t have done anything, nor Evans, nor McMillan, nor Kancey. We were told this team was a SB contender. They started the year 5-1 for fuck’s sake. They now sit at 7-6 with the Panthers. A Panthers team that looks infinitely better than the Buccaneers at this moment. McGaughey should be fired, that goes without saying. But you cannot retain Bowles or Grizzard if this is what the team will look like against bottom feeders. Even Baker should be under scrutiny for how he has been.

Want more from Devin? Click here, then follow him on Twitter.

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With today’s announcement of Brian Heartline as the new USF football head coach it clear that times are changing for South Florida and they are suddenly the best Group of Five school in the country.

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USF is uniquely positioned as the premier Group of Five program, with elite academics, AAU membership, a $400M on-campus stadium opening in 2027, and a groundbreaking NIL and athlete pay structure that rivals Power Four schools. With Brian Hartline at the helm, USF is not only the class of the G5 but a legitimate candidate for ACC or Big 12 expansion by 2029–2031.

Why USF Is the Best Group of Five Program — And Better Than Some Power Four Schools

Facilities & Infrastructure

USF’s $400 million on-campus stadium (opening 2027) will be the most advanced facility in the G5, paired with a state-of-the-art broadcast hub that makes the Bulls a regular presence on ESPN and major networks. This combination of infrastructure and media visibility is unmatched by Tulane, Memphis, Boise State, UTSA, or North Texas.

Academic Prestige

• AAU membership: USF is one of the few G5 schools with this distinction, aligning it with elite research universities.
• US News rankings: #38 in Most Innovative Schools and #68 in Best Value Schools, proving USF’s blend of affordability and forward-thinking academics.
• Recognized nationally as a “Top 10 university on the rise”, USF’s trajectory is backed by measurable progress in rankings and student success.

Leadership & NIL Innovation

• Rob Higgins, USF’s CEO of Athletics, is the first of his kind in college sports, signaling a business-first approach.
• Athlete Pay Program: $10M direct pay initiative over three years.
• Revenue-sharing ceiling: $20.5M under NCAA’s new rules, putting USF ahead of most G5 peers and even some P4 programs.

Coaching Pedigree

• Brian Hartline, former Ohio State offensive coordinator and elite recruiter, was hired in December 2025.
• Hartline helped Ohio State win the 2024 CFP National Championship and produced multiple NFL receivers, bringing credibility and recruiting power to Tampa.

Comparison With Other G5 Programs

• Tulane: Strong NIL fund ($3.5M) but lacks USF’s AAU status and stadium scale.
• Memphis: FedEx-backed $25M NIL deal is impressive, but facilities trail USF’s $400M stadium.
• Boise State: Recognized for NIL innovation, yet limited by market size and academic profile.
• UTSA: Growing NIL support, but lacks national academic recognition and media market reach.
• North Texas: Solid facilities, but NIL and academic prestige lag behind.

Why USF Surpasses Some Power Four Programs

• Facilities: By 2027, USF’s stadium and broadcast hub will rival or exceed many ACC/Big 12 schools.
• Market size: Tampa Bay is a Top 12 media market, far larger than Boise, Memphis, or Tulane.
• Financial commitment: USF’s NIL and athlete pay programs are competitive with mid-tier Power Four schools.
• Trajectory: With Hartline’s recruiting power and institutional growth, USF is positioned for sustained success.

Final Thoughts

USF isn’t just the best G5 program today — it’s building the infrastructure, academic prestige, NIL power, and coaching pedigree to surpass mid-tier Power Four schools. With its stadium, AAU membership, NIL innovation, and Tampa Bay market reach, USF is the most logical candidate for ACC or Big 12 expansion between 2029–2031.

Bottom line: USF is not waiting to catch up — it’s already operating like a Power Four program.

USF CEO of Athletics Rob Higgins introduced Brian Hartline as the new head coach of the South Florida Bulls, sending shockwaves across college football. Both Higgins and Hartline stood before the press and had a very simple but strong message “USF’s Time Is NOW.” The Bulls are thinking big and proving they are going to a force in college football.

Hartline, formerly Ohio State’s wide receivers coach and offensive play caller under Ryan Day, represents a bold statement of intent by USF. Higgins revealed that once former head coach Alex Golesh informed him of his decision to take the Auburn job, it took just 60 hours to secure his top choice — Hartline — proving how serious South Florida is about winning at the highest level.

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Hartline’s Recruiting Pedigree at Ohio State

At Ohio State, Hartline built a reputation as one of the nation’s best recruiters. He developed and signed elite wide receivers and quarterbacks, including NFL stars like Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, and Marvin Harrison Jr., while helping to secure top quarterback prospects who thrived in the Buckeyes’ system. His track record of producing talent that dominates both in college and the NFL makes him one of the most respected recruiters in the sport.

Recruiting in Florida & Love for the State

Hartline’s ties to Florida run deep, and his ability to recruit in the Sunshine State is expected to be a cornerstone of his success at USF. Florida is one of the richest recruiting grounds in the country, and Hartline’s reputation combined with his enthusiasm for the state positions him to keep elite talent at home. His passion for Florida football culture resonates with high school coaches, athletes, and families, giving USF a competitive edge.

Transfer Portal Impact

In today’s college football landscape, the transfer portal is as important as high school recruiting. Hartline’s reputation as the best recruiter in the country means he can attract top skill players — especially wide receivers and quarterbacks — who want to play in his system. His proven ability to develop talent at Ohio State makes USF an attractive destination for transfers seeking immediate impact and national exposure.

What Hartline’s Hire Means for USF

Hartline’s arrival is more than just a local boost for Bulls Nation — it’s a national statement. USF is signaling to the college football world that it intends to compete with Power Four programs. With a $400 million on-campus stadium opening in 2027, AAU academic prestige, and a Top 12 media market in Tampa Bay, USF is positioning itself as the premier Group of Five program. Hartline’s hire elevates the Bulls’ profile nationally, strengthens recruiting pipelines, and sets the stage for potential inclusion in the ACC or Big 12 when expansion discussions arise in the coming years.