Sep 193 min read

USF Looks to Ruin Miami's Perfect Season with Clash in Tampa

USF | USF Player Nay'Quan Wright — ©William McLelland-Imagn Images

The USF Bulls and the No. 8 Miami Hurricanes will face off on Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. EST in Tampa, Fla., at Raymond James Stadium, home of the Bulls. According to the Bulls' records, these two teams have only played six times with the Hurricanes dominating the series 5-1. The most recent game was a 49-21 win for the Hurricanes in 2013 in Tampa.

The Game's Ramifications

For USF, this game could help them in a lot of ways. Currently, the Bulls are strongly considered to be a team that could be in the automatic playoff spot for the Group of 5 teams. Right now, they are part of a list that includes several top teams from outside the Power Four conferences. If the Bulls were able to pull off the win against a top-ranked team like Miami, then they would immediately shoot up the rankings as they head into American Athletic Conferene play. This game also represents a chance for South Florida to defend its home as they have only beaten Miami once in their history of the series. That matchup was in Miami as the Bulls won, 23-20.

For Miami, their bid for a perfect season as well as an automatic spot in the College Football Playoff hinges on not losing their out-of-conference games. The Hurricanes should have no issue with the Bulls as they have a significantly better team. The one thing that the Bulls do have over Miami is their coaching. Bulls head coach Alex Golesh seems to get more out of his players. It is why they were in it against Alabama until the very end of the game a few weeks ago. This is where Miami could struggle. While Miami is the superior team, they could lose purely because Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal has a history of questionable coaching decisions that has lost them games.

Key Players: USF Bulls

The top players for the Bulls offensively are the members of the rushing atttack. Quarterback Byrum Brown leads the team with 254 yards rushing. However, the three running backs are close behind. Kelley Joiner Jr. leads the running backs with 220 yards and 4 touchdowns. Nay'Quan Wright has 188 yards and 2 touchdowns and Ta'Ron Keith has 105 yards with 3 touchdowns. The Bulls' receivers have played a large part in their success so far as well. Receiver Sean Atkins leads the team with 164 receieving yards, but has yet to find the end zone this season.

The Bulls' defense has been very good with the exception of the game against Alabama, where they collapsed, giving up 28 points in the fourth quarter. However, in the games they won, they have looked great, even with the absence of the defensive leader, linebacker Jhalyn Shuler, who was hurt in the first game of the season against Bethune-Cookman.

Key Players: Miami Hurricanes

Ward will be one of the most important players on the field come Sept. 21. If he can get going, very few teams are able to shut him down. However, due to the way USF is constructed, they might be able to contain him and keep his receivers at bay. Ward already has crossed the 1,000-yard threshold through three games. If he continues to play like he has, then he could have a season worthy of a Heisman Trophy.

USF | Miami QB Cam Ward — ©Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

His other teammates have flourished due to his skills. Receiver Xavier Restrepo has 263 yards and 4 touchdowns so far. Three other pass catchers have over 100 yards and combined, they have another 4 touchdowns.

So, people will have to watch and see which unit budges. Will it be Miami's offense or USF's defense?