Miami, Florida – Heading into week four of the season the Miami Hurricanes travel to Tampa to face the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium. USF is Miami’s toughest opponent yet, on paper at least, in a contest deemed primetime worthy. The so-called South Florida Showdown has generated noticeable smack talk between the two fanbases and despite the Hurricanes being heavy favorites, some have expressed concern. The reason revolves around how much trouble they gave fourth-ranked Alabama two weeks ago.
WEEK 4️⃣ CAPTAINS #GoCanes pic.twitter.com/IianS8ZeYs
— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) September 19, 2024
Observers were surprised to see the Crimson Tide clinging to a one-point lead through three quarters. Even with Bama scoring early in the fourth, the Bulls answered back with a field goal making it 21-16 to keep it close. Alabama didn’t start to pull away until there were less than six minutes left in the game. That’s when they slammed their foot on the gas to overpower South Florida 42-16. This is a prime example of the score not being indicative of the game’s competitive nature.
The Bulls are coming home fresh off a 49-24 victory over the Southern Miss Golden Eagles checking in at 2-1 overall. The eighth-ranked Hurricanes, meanwhile, rumble in at 3-0 riding high after a 62-0 rout of Ball State. Miami hasn’t allowed a touchdown since the opener at Florida but they face a different kind of quarterback. It’s been over a decade since these two programs squared off. UM leads the all-time series 5-1 winning the last three meetings including a 49-21 victory back in 2013. USF’s sole victory was on November 27th, 2010. Let’s look at potential key players.
Miami Hurricanes
Jalen Rivers
Miami HC Mario Cristobal said on @560WQAM this morning that both LT Jalen Rivers and RG Anez Cooper will be back for the USF game this Saturday.
📸: @djquintela_3 | @QSportsMedia2 pic.twitter.com/oejJifJNG1
— Geo Milian (@GeoMilian) September 16, 2024
The offensive line is being reinforced with the return of Jalen Rivers. The fifth-year redshirt junior missed the last two games due to a lower-body injury. Rivers strengthens a formidable offensive line that’s kept Cam Ward upright and affords him plenty of time to make his throws. Case in point, Ward has only been sacked twice. USF has gone three consecutive games recording three sacks to start the season. In addition to Rivers, Anez Cooper is also returning after getting injured last week versus Ball State.
Jacolby George
Ward to George TD
WARD: 5 TDs
George: 6 recs 109 yards 1 TD pic.twitter.com/O5HL0FtLJI— NMD Grant (@NMDgrant) September 15, 2024
He was overdue for a 100+ yard game. Jacolby George reminded us how talented he is managing six catches for 109 yards and a touchdown last weekend. It was George’s best game to date for 2024. Currently, he’s accumulated 11 receptions for 162 yards and two TDs through three games. The Bulls can’t keep their eyes solely on Xavier Restrepo least they get burned badly by Jacolby. If the O-line keeps up the good work, there’s no reason to expect anything less than a 70+ yard multi-TD game.
Mark Fletcher Jr.
Making his Mark! Canes Connection Athlete Mark Fletcher, Jr. is setting the tone this season. 🙌 @fletcherjr_mark #JoinTheSurge #GoCanes pic.twitter.com/u6gZocUSLu
— Canes Connection (@CanesConnection) September 19, 2024
Will the running game get off to another slow start? Mark Fletcher rushed for 53 yards on six carries while Ajay Allen had the better day producing 104 yards distributed among seven carries nailing a touchdown and Jordan Lyle showed off his wheels getting 11 carries for 71 yards. The numbers were good, however, keep in mind the vast majority was in the second half. Throw in Damien Martinez’s utter disappearance and we’re left wondering who will lead the way in the ground game.
Simeon Barrow Jr.
Simeon Barrow Jr. SACK pic.twitter.com/f6JJNykXw8
— NMD Grant (@NMDgrant) September 14, 2024
The former Spartan is the latest member of the defense to step right up. Simeon Barrow pulled off four tackles, two of them solo for 1.5 sacks and 1.5 TFL. The Michigan State transfer could find himself with another opportunity to replicate those numbers and pressure the QB while he’s at it. However, be careful what you wish for. South Florida’s signal caller doesn’t always hang out in the pocket.
South Florida Bulls
Byrum Brown
USF QB Byrum Brown was my 36th overall prospect on my first big board for the 2025 NFL draft.
Brown is young (he's a RS Soph who turns 20 in September) and he might still need time. But there is a lot to like with Brown's traits and game.
Loose arm, good athlete, tough. pic.twitter.com/eYfap3NES5
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) August 23, 2024
The key to Miami’s victory will be to stop the Bulls’ offense. Starting with Byrum Brown, the junior threw for 193 yards, a pair of aerial touchdowns (his firsts of the year), and a rushing TD against the Golden Eagles. Brown has done little else besides another TD on the ground in the season opener versus Bethune Cookman. With that said, he can scramble and run the ball. More so, Brown leads the team in rushing yards. It’s worth noting he’s coming off of back-to-back games where he’s been sacked four times meaning his offensive line is highly suspect. With 448 yards Brown hasn’t thrown an interception yet, however, this will change on Saturday.
Kelley Joiner
Kelley Joiner 50 yard house call!!! pic.twitter.com/XjOP0XXjrf
— SoFloBulls (@SoFloBulls) September 15, 2024
Speaking of the running game, there’s a dual threat to consider. Kelley Joiner leads the team with four touchdowns on 30 carries for 220 yards averaging 7.3 yards a play. The grad student had a heck of a day against Southern Miss hitting the centennial mark with 10 carries for 117 yards and two TDs. Joiner is more than capable of breaking loose but if Miami keeps up its A-game, his recent successes won’t be seen in week four.
Nay’Quan Wright
Shoutout to the USF O-Line, whose quintet of road graders paved the way for 369yds of rushing against Southern Miss. The Bulls had 5 TD's on the ground, including parting the waves for this 33yd scamper from Nay'Quan Wright:@B0SSMAN_5 | @USFFootball pic.twitter.com/1eh7mbzZYX
— Simon Carroll (@NFLDraftSi) September 16, 2024
Here’s the other grounder to keep an eye on. Nay’Quan Wright also hit the centennial mark chewing up 105 yards and a touchdown. It’s clear that with 369 yards on the ground, the Golden Eagles were weak against the run. They will face a different unit in the Hurricanes. For 2024, Wright has 33 carries for 188 yards and two touchdowns. Look for USF to use split backs when they get into formation with the running back with more success getting a bigger workload.
Sean Atkins
Can’t stop 3️⃣8️⃣👶 📈
Last night Sean Atkins moved into third place in career receptions 👏#ComeToTheBay | #StayInTheBay pic.twitter.com/sIgRyiarfa
— USF Football (@USFFootball) September 15, 2024
Brown’s top target is Sean Atkins. He leads the wideouts with 13 receptions for 164 yards. Atkins has yet to touch the endzone but the season is still young and he’s averaging 12.6 yards a catch. With such explosive capabilities, he can turn a third and long situation into a successful conversion. Last week Atkins recorded five catches for 87 yards and he’ll be looking to match or even exceed those numbers for the upcoming contest.
Prediction
South Florida’s goal is singular: Stop Cam Ward. If the Miami Hurricanes can stop the Bulls’ running game, including the QB, the score will be similar to the one with Bama with less drama. Looking back to the preview, I saw this game as part of a string of easier contests en route to a fast 4-0 start and nothing has changed that. Miami wins 55-10.
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