Is the U back? That question has been asked quite often in recent seasons, but it doesn’t look like this week will give a definitive answer. Miami will meet another opponent that appears overmatched in South Florida, and if all goes according to plan, the Hurricanes should have a pretty easy time. A tough game against Georgia Tech next week will reveal much more about the ‘Canes -- the Yellow Jackets have all the looks of a serious ACC contender, and their famed triple option is notoriously difficult to prepare for.
How to watch Miami vs. USF 2013: Preview, TV schedule, odds and more
The Hurricanes meet the Bulls in an all-Florida matchup.
Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports
The good news for Miami is that starting quarterback Stephen Morris is expected to play in this one, after suffering a bone bruise in his right leg during last week's 77-7 win over Savannah State. Ryan Williams will fill in if Morris cannot go. Morris has thrown for 404 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions this season.
The numbers
Rankings and records: No. 15 Miami is 4-1 against South Florida all time. The Hurricanes blew out the Bulls, 40-9, when they played last year.
Vegas: Miami opened as an 18.5-point favorite, and the over-under was set at 48.
Three names to know
Willie Taggart (USF head coach) -- South Florida has lost six in a row dating back to last season, and even though Taggart has presided over only three of those losses, the Bulls are still looking for their first win under him. Miami wouldn’t be a bad way to get it. The Bulls are coming off a bye.
Bobby Eveld, Steven Bench, Matt Floyd (USF quarterbacks) -- Together, this trio helms the 118th-ranked passing offense in the country and has a stunningly awful 37.4 completion percentage. Bench took most of the snaps in last week's game against Florida Atlantic, but with all three being ineffective thus far, expect to see any of them on Saturday. In case you're wondering, the story is barely better in regards to the run game, and with an average of 264.7 yards per game, USF is 121st in the country in total offense (120th in scoring).
Denzel Perryman (Miami linebacker) -- The junior from Coral Gables leads a defense that has allowed only 29 points in three games. Perryman is an all-purpose weapon for that unit, throwing in two passes defensed, a quarterback hit and a forced fumble to go with his 20 tackles.
Two things at stake
After an upset victory against Florida, Miami vaulted into top 25. These are the kinds of games the Hurricanes have to win if they want to remain there.
At 0-3, the Bulls have yet to look competitive this season, and they actually dropped a game against McNeese State to open 2013. South Florida is desperate for a win of any kind, let alone one over a ranked opponent. Its AAC schedule opens up next week, and an upset would do wonders heading into conference play.
How to witness
TV: Noon ET, ESPNU
Online streaming: ESPN3
Further reading
State of the U is your home for Miami sports. Voodoo Five for USF.
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