While negotiations are still ongoing between both parties, Kelly's contractual buyout of more than $50 million would be the second largest ever paid to a college football coach -- behind only Jimbo Fisher, who received more than $76 million after being fired by Texas A&M in November 2023.

The Tigers outscored the Bulls 17-0 in the fourth quarter to win 34-31 and now have an opportunity to make the CFP themselves as a result. Nico Gramatica missed a 52-yard field goal for South Florida as time expired after a holding penalty on the previous play made it a longer kick.