The No. 8 Miami Hurricanes (3-0) will travel to Tampa on Saturday, September 21, 2024, to take on the South Florida Bulls (2-1) at Raymond James Stadium. Miami is coming off a dominant 62-0 victory over Ball State, while South Florida recently secured a 49-24 win over Southern Miss. The Hurricanes enter the game as 16.5-point favorites, with the over/under set at 65 points.
Miami Hurricanes: The Hurricanes’ offense, led by quarterback Cameron Ward, has been explosive so far this season. In their rout of Ball State, Ward completed 67.9% of his passes for 346 yards and five touchdowns without throwing an interception. Running back Ajay Allen added to the ground game with 104 rushing yards and a touchdown on just seven carries, showcasing his big-play ability with an average of 14.9 yards per carry. Wide receiver Jacolby George was the top target, hauling in six passes for 109 yards and a touchdown.
Miami’s defense has also been stellar, as evidenced by their shutout performance last week, showing they’re capable of keeping opponents in check. This unit will aim to contain a versatile USF offense led by dual-threat quarterback Byrum Brown.
South Florida Bulls: USF is coming off a solid victory against Southern Miss, where quarterback Byrum Brown demonstrated his dual-threat ability. He passed for 193 yards and two touchdowns while adding 72 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground. Running back Kelley Joiner Jr. also had a standout performance, rushing for 117 yards and two scores on 10 carries. Wide receiver Sean Atkins contributed with five catches for 87 yards.
The Bulls’ offense will need to replicate that production to keep pace with a high-scoring Miami team, but they face a significant challenge against the Hurricanes’ physical defense.
Key Matchups:
- Cameron Ward vs. USF Secondary: Ward has been on fire to start the season, and USF’s defensive backfield will need to be sharp to avoid giving up big plays through the air.
- Byrum Brown’s Mobility: Miami will have to account for Brown’s running ability. His versatility could pose a challenge for the Hurricanes’ front seven, but Miami’s defense has shown it can handle dual-threat quarterbacks.
Prediction: While USF has looked impressive at times, Miami’s offense and defense are operating at an elite level, making the Hurricanes the favorites. Expect Miami to build on their momentum and pull away as the game progresses.
