FINAL Game forecast · REGULAR week 1

Florida InternationalatSouth Florida

Sat, Sep. 5 · 7:00 PM ET · Raymond James Stadium

Florida International9
South Florida19
CALLED

SharpTake projected South Florida at 90%. South Florida won.

ProjectedSouth Florida by 21.5
ActualSouth Florida by 10
Difference11.5 pts
Market spreadSouth Florida -14.5
Vs spreadLOSSSharpTake Pick: South Florida -14.5

Pregame forecast · published before kickoff and not revised

SharpTake projects South Florida to win.

South FloridaProjected winner
90%Win probability
South Florida by 21.5Projected margin

Why SharpTake leans

Why SharpTake leans South Florida

South Florida's overall quality is the biggest reason SharpTake favors South Florida. South Florida also has the edge in down-to-down efficiency and running-game efficiency, while Florida International's record from last season pushes the other way.

Overall team quality

Strong South Florida advantage

Down-to-down efficiency

Strong South Florida advantage

Running-game efficiency

South Florida advantage

Last season's results

Florida International offset

On-field context

Matchup breakdown

These matchup factors describe where the teams differ on the field. They are separate from SharpTake's forecast explanation above.

South Florida run game

EDGE
South Florida offenseFlorida International defense

South Florida gains enough yardage on runs for the down and distance more often than most FBS teams, while Florida International allows enough yardage on runs for the down and distance more often than most FBS teams. That comparison favors South Florida.

Rushing Success Rate · 48.3%Success Rate is the share of plays that gain enough yardage for the down and distance.Better than most FBS teams
Rushing Success Rate allowed · 45.7%Success Rate is the share of plays that gain enough yardage for the down and distance.Worse than most FBS teams

Comparison basis · Rushing success rate vs rushing success rate allowed

Staying on schedule

NO EDGE
South Florida offenseFlorida International defense

South Florida gains enough yardage for the down and distance more often than most FBS teams, while Florida International allows enough yardage for the down and distance at a rate near the FBS middle. The evidence does not separate the teams enough for an advantage here.

Offensive Success Rate · 46.7%Success Rate is the share of plays that gain enough yardage for the down and distance.Better than most FBS teams
Defensive Success Rate allowed · 41.9%Success Rate is the share of plays that gain enough yardage for the down and distance.Near the FBS middle

Comparison basis · Success rate vs success rate allowed

Pass game

NO EDGE
South Florida offenseFlorida International defense

South Florida gains enough yardage on pass plays for the down and distance more often than most FBS teams, while Florida International allows enough yardage on pass plays for the down and distance at a rate near the FBS middle. The evidence does not separate the teams enough for an advantage here.

Passing Success Rate · 45.7%Success Rate is the share of plays that gain enough yardage for the down and distance.Better than most FBS teams
Passing Success Rate allowed · 39.2%Success Rate is the share of plays that gain enough yardage for the down and distance.Near the FBS middle

Comparison basis · Passing success rate vs passing success rate allowed

Explore

Go deeper

Team reads

Position rooms

Florida International position roomsWho is on the 2026 roster and what they did in 2025; navigation, not forecast factors.
South Florida position roomsWho is on the 2026 roster and what they did in 2025; navigation, not forecast factors.
Coverage and limitations
  • Forecasts are produced only when both teams meet SharpTake's evidence requirements.
  • Player availability, injuries, weather, travel, and rest are not included.
  • Explain factors use completed 2025 team-season evidence. They describe matchup contrasts and are not causal model attribution.
  • Neither team has completed a game this season; the forecast rests on prior-season evidence.

Forecasts are model-based context, not guarantees.

Forecast model · Data cutoff Sep. 5, 2026 · 7:00 PM ET

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