Prediction, Game Preview, and Odds for Miami vs. USF

Things are off to a great start for Miami.

People thought that this would be the year when Mario Cristobal’s team really broke through, but is winning Florida A&M, Ball State, and, uh, Florida enough to get excited about?

USF could be the best team the Hurricanes have ever played.

They have to go across the state to Tampa to play a dangerous Bull team that pushed Alabama much harder than the final score of 42–16. The Bulls also got the offense going against Southern Miss and start the American Athletic Conference season next week at Temple. Next up is Memphis.

Miami is 5-1 all-time against the team, with their only loss coming in 2010.

Miami vs USF Preview

Miami vs USF How to Watch
Date: Saturday, September 21, 2024
Game Time: 7:00 pm ET
Venue: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
How to Watch: ESPN
USF (2-1), Miami (3-0)

Why Miami Will Win

Cam Ward and the offense gets all of the attention so far, and for good reason. The Washington State transfer has been ultra-efficient as he’s making this look easy. The defense, though, has been just as special.

It’s sixth in the nation in total defense, No. 1 on third downs, and now it’s going against a USF team that hasn’t been anything great on third owns and doesn’t have the most efficient of passing games.

The Bulls have the chops to get things moving and be in the game, but they get hit with way too many penalties – this will be an issue on a few drives. However …

Why USF Will Win

They will have to deal with a pass rush and a running game for the first time all season.

The Bulls have had three sacks in each of their first three games, and their running game has been great, picking up yards one at a time.

It ran for more than 200 yards against Alabama and scored five touchdowns against Bethune-Cookman and Southern Miss. It should keep doing that against this defense as well.

It is not going to be about power. The offensive line is great at finding open space and gaining yards quickly, but

Miami vs USF: Who Will Win

The USF running attack will lose to the Miami passing game.

There will be just the right amount of times for the Bull attack to throw, and it will go wrong. Miami will finally be pushed a bit, but it will be able to hold on until the end of the game when the run defense figures things out.