South Florida coach on rematch with Alabama football: ‘We get to redeem ourselves’

South Florida coach Alex Golesh doesn’t seem interested in having a David label.

Sure, it might seem when the Bulls face the likes of Alabama football and Miami that USF would be considered David vs. college football Goliaths. But South Florida’s coach isn’t taking that view.

“Bama and Miami (have) got to play South Florida,” Golesh said while speaking at AAC media days this week.

Golesh was asked if he thinks it’s important to continue having matchups against programs such as Alabama and Miami in this new College Football Playoff era. Golesh said it’s imperative USF continues to play the best teams it can.

“Going to Alabama is absolutely huge for us,” Golesh said. “They came to our place. We had every opportunity to go be successful in that game. Couldn’t finish it. Now we get to redeem ourselves.”

Golesh wasn’t exaggerating that point. Alabama put together a disastrous performance in Tampa a season ago, sneaking out a 17-3 win. South Florida and Alabama remained tied 3-3 at halftime with Tyler Buchner starting the game at quarterback.

This season, the Crimson Tide will face the Bulls at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Sept. 7, the second game of the season. Alabama will have a new coach in Kalen DeBoer after Nick Saban retired in January.

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