What Is 2008 South Florida Bulls football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2008 South Florida Bulls football team does not exist; the University of South Florida Bulls played in the 2008 NCAA season, finishing with a 9–4 record under coach Jim Leavitt, including a loss in the International Bowl to East Carolina.

Key Facts

The University of South Florida Bulls football team went 9–4 in the 2008 season
Head coach Jim Leavitt led the team from 1997 to 2009
The Bulls played in the International Bowl on January 2, 2009
They lost the International Bowl to East Carolina, 38–31
USF played in the Big East Conference during the 2008 season

Overview

The 2008 South Florida Bulls football season refers to the University of South Florida (USF) Bulls, not a separate team called the 'South Florida Bulls.' USF competed in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) as a member of the Big East Conference. The team was led by head coach Jim Leavitt, who had been with the program since its inception in 1997.

The 2008 season marked the culmination of a period of growth for USF football, following a breakout 2007 campaign that included a No. 2 national ranking. While the 2008 season did not reach those heights, it was still a competitive year that ended in a bowl appearance. The team played its home games at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

Record: The Bulls finished the 2008 season with a 9–4 overall record, including a 4–3 mark in Big East play.
Bowl Game: USF played in the International Bowl on January 2, 2009, facing East Carolina in Toronto, Ontario.
Head Coach:Jim Leavitt was in his 12th season as head coach and led the team through multiple conference transitions.
Stadium: The team played home games at Raymond James Stadium, home of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Conference: USF competed in the Big East Conference in 2008, before later moving to the American Athletic Conference.

How It Works

The structure of college football includes team classifications, conference affiliations, and postseason eligibility based on win-loss records and rankings. The 2008 USF Bulls operated within this framework, competing for conference standing and bowl eligibility.

Season Structure: The NCAA FBS season consists of a 12-game regular season, typically followed by a conference championship and bowl game for eligible teams.
Conference Play: In the Big East Conference, USF played teams like West Virginia, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh during the 2008 season.
Bowl Eligibility: Teams must achieve at least 6 wins against FBS opponents to qualify for postseason bowl games, which USF met with 9 wins.
Coaching System: Head coach Jim Leavitt oversaw all aspects of the program, including recruiting, game strategy, and player development.
Player Roster: The 2008 roster included quarterback Pat O'Connor and linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul, who later entered the NFL Draft.
Postseason: The International Bowl was a newly established bowl game, and USF’s appearance marked their second consecutive bowl berth.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2008 USF Bulls compare to recent seasons and conference peers:

Season	Record	Conference	Bowl Game	Final AP Rank
2006	9–4	Big East	Papajohns.com Bowl	NR
2007	9–4	Big East	USF ranked No. 2 in October	No. 20
2008	9–4	Big East	Lost International Bowl	NR
2009	7–5	Big East	No bowl (ineligible)	NR
2017	10–2	American	Birmingham Bowl win	No. 19

The 2008 season was consistent with USF’s performance in the late 2000s, maintaining a 9–4 record like 2006 and 2007. However, unlike 2007, the team did not crack the final AP Top 25 and faced a postseason loss. The International Bowl appearance highlighted continued national relevance despite a decline in rankings.

Why It Matters

The 2008 season was a transitional year for USF football, reflecting both progress and challenges in establishing a consistent national presence. It underscored the difficulty of sustaining success after a breakout season and illustrated the volatility of college football rankings and postseason outcomes.

Program Growth: The 2008 season demonstrated USF’s ability to remain competitive in a major conference just years after moving to FBS.
National Exposure: Playing in the International Bowl in Toronto expanded the team’s visibility beyond Florida.
Player Development:Jason Pierre-Paul emerged as a defensive standout, later becoming a first-round NFL Draft pick in 2010.
Conference Stability: Competing in the Big East provided USF with high-profile matchups and media coverage.
Bowl Consistency: Three straight bowl appearances (2006–2008) signaled growing program stability under Leavitt.
Recruiting Impact: Continued success helped USF attract talent from across the Southeast and mid-Atlantic regions.

While the 2008 season didn’t match the highs of 2007, it reinforced USF’s status as a rising program in college football. The team’s performance laid groundwork for future competitiveness in the American Athletic Conference.