Howdy, y’all.
Hope your weeks have started well. The Canes have a big game this weekend on a not-so-big network (CW) in a top 20 battle with the South Florida Bulls. So, let’s get at it…
1) I knew the Canes would have a big matchup this month with an in-state foe. I did not expect months ago for that to have been the South Florida Bulls.
I took South Florida and the points in my picks piece from last
week and said it would be a competitive game. I didn’t have the Bulls pegged to win it though, and wow, how they did.
In case you didn’t see the game, the Bulls had the ball with around 2 minutes left in their own territory. #90 for Florida then proceeded to spit in the face of a South Florida player just three feet away from an official who was staring him right in the face. Flag, 15 yards, ejection. How in the world can you do that after what happened on Thursday night with Jalen Carter right before the Philadelphia Eagles took on the Dallas Cowboys? Why are players still spitting at each other? That’s so gross and stupid.
But anyways, the penalty was followed by a huge gain down the sideline to reach field goal range, and the Bulls ground their way down to extra point territory. And Nico Gramatica put it through as the clock hit all zeroes to walk off the Gators in the Swamp.
2) That affects Miami obviously in a number of respects. First, that gives the Canes another opportunity at a resume-building win once the end of the season rolls around.
South Florida has a whale of a non-conference schedule. They thoroughly whipped Boise State, a team some projected as a playoff team. Now, they have a win over the Gators as well. As a result, they’re #18 in the AP Poll, so Miami will get their second ranked team in three weeks on Saturday.
The good thing about South Florida is they obviously appear talented enough to perhaps win all or almost all of the remainder of their games. If they do, that should put them in the CFP rankings at the end of the season when folks are comparing resumes.
If Miami can notch a win, that could be a sneaky-good one.
3) Florida heads to LSU with their heads buzzing, and another loss is likely coming before they come to Miami.
Weird stuff happens in that rivalry, and LSU didn’t exactly look great on Saturday against Louisiana Tech. But if chalk holds, the Gators would come to town next Saturday for a matchup that’s lost some luster thanks to the Gators’ debacle on Saturday.
That really creates a fight-or-flight situation for teams. Some groups can rally together and come out with a them-vs-the-world mentality. Others kind of pack it in. I have no idea what to expect from Florida. They have the talent to beat Miami if they play a terrific game, and DJ Lagway is an excellent player who can cause plenty of problems.
But you have to wonder where their heads are at going into that game. Saturday against LSU will tell more of that tale.
4) But anyways, on to a prediction: Miami 33, South Florida 20
The point spread on this game is around 16, which is a tad rich for my blood against a quality opponent, even at home. I think this will be a bit of a fight for four quarters.
Last year, Miami’s depth and superiority on the lines of scrimmage was obvious. After a first half of the Bulls hanging with Miami, the Canes kept pounding, and the floodgates finally opened.
I think this South Florida team is better, but Miami’s offensive line is still going to be a nightmare for the Bulls’ front, and a bludgeoning ground game and Carson Beck having time to find Malachi Toney and CJ Daniels will be enough to get it done on offense.
The Bulls will have stretches of effectiveness on offense, but Rueben Bain, Jr. and the defensive front helps slam the door shut in the fourth quarter with some pressure and impact plays.
