TAMPA, Fla. — Though far from the turnaround USF ultimately is working toward, the Bulls know full well plenty is on the line Saturday evening against Charlotte.

In the first football meeting between the two schools, USF (5-6; 3-4 American Athletic Conference) takes on conference newcomer Charlotte (3-8; 2-5 American) at Raymond James Stadium.  

Under first-year coach Alex Golesh, the Bulls are a win away from a bowl invitation. USF has not qualified for a bowl since the 2018 Gasparilla Bowl.

With five regular-season wins, USF has already won more games this season than during the entire tenure of former coach Jeff Scott, which saw the Bulls go 4-29 from 2020 to 2023.

Despite losing three of its past five games, the Bulls still have the postseason milestone in reach. A win would be a stepping-stone accomplishment for Golesh’s squad and would also give USF a few more coveted weeks of practices, a chance to impress recruits that will be in attendance Saturday and a December football game to play.

Charlotte, meanwhile, is rounding out its first AAC season in Tampa on a two-game losing streak and with three losses in its past four games.

The 49ers, which average 23 points per game on offense and have topped 30 points in two of its past four games, will attempt to attack a Bulls defense that gives up a Football Bowl Subdivision-worse 36 points a game and 313 passing yards per game.

Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m., and the game will be televised on ESPNU.