USF still could play as many as 11 games in 2020, report suggests

In the wake of news that no fewer than three Power Five conferences have opted for league-only football schedules in 2020, the American Athletic Conference reportedly is veering in a different direction.

Pat Forde of Sports Illustrated reported Friday via Twitter that the American plans to stick with its normal eight-game conference schedule and play as many non-league games as possible. Some American teams will receive substantial payments for a few of those non-conference contests against Power Five opposition, if they’re held as scheduled.

Among them: USF, which receives $1.9 million for its Sept. 5 opener at Texas, according to the terms of the game contract.

The American has not formally announced its scheduling plans for 2020 and is believed to be waiting until all Power Five dominoes fall before doing so.

The Big 12 has yet to announce what type of schedule it will adopt. The ACC has announced it will play an 11-game season with 10 conference contests and one non-league game. The SEC, Pac-12 and Big Ten will play conference-only schedules.

The American has four ’20 games scheduled against ACC opposition this fall, two involving UCF (home vs. North Carolina, Sept. 4; at Georgia Tech, Sept. 18). It has three slated against the Big 12, including USF’s opener at Texas.

Currently, USF still could play as many as 11 games this season. The only contest off the table is the Sept. 12 home opener against Bethune-Cookman, which was lost when the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference recently canceled its football season.

The Bulls are scheduled to begin preseason camp next Friday.