BREAKING NEWS: Just In Miami Hurricanes Makes Another Huge Announcement

Already this season, they’ve gone to face an in-state opponent in front of loud fans who want them to lose.

And they’ve already hushed those fans this season by winning at home.

Now, the eighth-ranked Hurricanes hope to do it again, but instead of going to Gainesville to face Florida, they’ll go to Tampa to face an upset-minded USF squad hoping for a program-defining moment while a national audience watches in primetime.

There will undoubtedly be a buzz in the air at Raymond James Stadium on Saturday, but the Hurricanes stay focused on the task at hand: finding a way to go 1-0 for the week against an opponent with a roster full of brilliant playmakers.

“We like it.” “We really do,” Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal said about the possibility to face another in-state opponent. “We treat everyone independently…” That opponent is the most significant matchup we have. Obviously, the level of energy [these games] generate in the alumni and fan bases shows that there is a lot of enthusiasm behind them. It is good stuff. It’s good stuff, and we’re just working on improving.”

Wide receiver Xavier Restrepo added, “Those guys play extremely hard. I mean, from the opening to the last play of the game, those guys deserve a lot of credit. They have some extremely good [defensive backs] out there, and it will be one of our most difficult looks yet. … I am quite excited to play another in-state club. It means something to both of our teams to play each other and emerge victorious. I’m extremely excited to play those guys down there at the University of South Florida.”

While USF’s defense has performed admirably this season, ranking eighth in the country with eight forced turnovers, there’s little doubt that the clash between Miami and USF quarterbacks could be the difference on Saturday.

Cam Ward, the Hurricanes’ quarterback, has been nothing short of outstanding in his first three appearances at Miami (3-0).

Ward, who was named the ACC Preseason Player of the Year after transferring from Washington State, is the only Hurricanes quarterback to begin a season with three consecutive 300-yard performances.

He has completed 73% of his passes, totaling 1,045 yards and 11 touchdowns. He only needs 89 yards to pass the 15,000-yard mark for his college career, which he will most likely reach on Saturday.

However, his coach does not anticipate that personal milestone to be at the top of the quarterback’s priority list.

“The guy is restless. “If it has nothing to do with us winning or improving, I don’t think he’s interested,” Cristobal said of Ward. “It’s the correct mentality. He has this opportunity to play college football, and he chose Miami for a variety of reasons, one of which is to win and demonstrate his ability to help a program win. He’s laser focused, and when he is, we can see what he is doing.”

Meanwhile, USF is led by junior quarterback Byrum Brown, who has rewritten the school’s record book in his first two seasons as a Bull (2-1).

Brown has 12 USF records heading into Saturday’s game, including the season passing record (3,292 in 2023) and the season touchdown throwing record (26 in 2023).

In the Bulls’ first three games, he has completed 56% of his passes and threw for 448 yards and two touchdowns. He is also USF’s leading rusher, with 254 yards and two additional touchdowns.

His mobility and USF’s rapid, up-tempo style will present a new challenge for the Hurricanes this week, but Miami’s defense is prepared to tackle it, especially given how it has performed early in the season.

Miami has kept its last two opponents, Florida A&M and Ball State, out of the endzone, and the Hurricanes have the nation’s sixth-best defense, allowing opponents to average only 188.7 yards per game.

The Hurricanes have also recorded 12 sacks, which is tied for second nationally, six interceptions, and 27 tackles for loss, which is tied for eighth nationally.

Continuing his great performance at USF against Brown and the Bulls’ attack will undoubtedly be a priority.

“They have a very good offensive. They have a talented offensive. Linebacker Francisco Mauigoa stated, “They have a very fast offense as well, and they do a really good job working together.” “They have an excellent quarterback who can both run and pass the ball. They have a really excellent corps of running backs that are physical and difficult, so we’re getting ready, and it’s all about practicing and putting ourselves in the greatest position to face that opponent.”

Fellow linebacker Wesley Bissainthe added, “You just do your job, do your job, read your keys, pay attention to what you’re supposed to pay attention to, and everything will fall into place.” “Control what you can control.”

On Saturday, the Hurricanes will focus on what they can control.

They know they’ll be up against a hungry team searching for its first win over a ranked opponent since 2016. And they are well aware that a raucous gathering of around 60,000 people will attempt to make their presence known.

But, through its first three games, Miami’s businesslike approach and desire to improve have been consistent.

They say it will continue to make an impact.

“We’re proud that we’re being acknowledged, but it’s so in the back of any thought as it relates to our progress, to our drive, to our determination,” Cristobal told me. “Honestly, all we want to do is get to work. We simply want to get better. We just want to play football. We want to play like the Miami Hurricanes, and we have a lot of work to do to get there.”

Restrepo stated that there is still opportunity for growth and learning, including mental, physical, and emotional aspects of the game. We are constantly striving to improve in all areas. We have hopes and aspirations for ourselves and our team. So, we’re chasing it, and we have a lot to gain, so there’s no room for complacency or ease.”