Alabama football wrapped up the first game of the Kalen DeBoer era a week ago. Now, it’s onto the second.

South Florida is coming to town, the first of two upcoming home matchups between the two programs after the Crimson Tide traveled to Tampa to play the Bulls a season ago. The 2023 Alabama team had to put together an ugly win, pulling ahead in the second half to defeat South Florida 17-3. That game helped the Crimson Tide determine that Jalen Milroe was the answer to start at quarterback after he didn’t play against the Bulls. Then, Milroe started the rest of the season, all the way to an SEC Championship Game and College Football Playoff appearance.

Nick Saban is no longer leading the Crimson Tide, so DeBoer will have a chance to face South Florida on Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium (6 p.m., ESPN). Also that day, Alabama will honor Saban with the naming of Saban Field.

Before the game, here’s what you need to know about South Florida.

Byrum Brown is back

The quarterback is plenty accomplished in South Florida history books, and now he has a chance to add to it in 2024.

In 2023, Brown finished with 3,292 passing yards; That made him the first 3,000-yard passer in Bulls’ history. The owner of 12 program records, Brown also proved to be a weapon on the ground. He rushed for 809 yards and 11 touchdowns to go with his 26 passing touchdowns in 2023.

This year’s matchup with Alabama will mark his second. Brown also started in the game in Tampa a season ago, and he completed 14 of 28 passes (50%) for 87 yards and one interception. He actually ran for more yards (92) than he passed.

He will look to replicate that rushing success against Alabama this year in Tuscaloosa, but he will need to do much more than that for South Florida to have a shot against the Crimson Tide.

Nonetheless, Brown is a threat because of his multi-faceted skillset. Sound defense will be key in limiting him from having any kind of an impact.

Alex Golesh familiarity

The coach of South Florida is no stranger to the Crimson Tide.

Of course, he had the chance to coach against Alabama last year and played it closer than many expected. But that wasn’t Golesh’s first matchup vs. the Crimson Tide.

He beat Alabama two seasons ago as Tennessee’s offensive coordinator. Yes, the Vols 2022 win over the Crimson Tide at Neyland Stadium. Golesh also coached on the Tennessee staff that lost to Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium in 2021.

Now, Golesh had more familiarity with defending Saban defenses. So facing DeBoer’s team will be different. But it’s worth noting Golesh will now be coaching against Alabama for a fourth consecutive season.

He started 7-6 overall in his first season as a head coach for South Florida in 2023.

Most of leading defenders return

Four of South Florida’s top five tacklers from a season ago are back, as are eight of the top 10.

Jhalyn Shuler is the top name there, having tallied 97 tackles, two sacks, five pass breakups and 6.5 tackles for loss for the Bulls in 2023. The senior linebacker was an All-AAC second team selection for his efforts.

Overall, many of the same players who faced Alabama a season ago will play in the game again this season. Eighteen starters returned from the 2023 South Florida team.

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.