Week 4 & beyond: 'Canes crushed USF, Game 4 key vs Gators
Multiple ranked wins fuel resurgent Miami
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MIAMI GARDENS â First: Exhale, 'Canes fans. No, the 49-12 takedown of USF wasn't a perfect performance but man, what a statement season so far!
Miami is already 3-0 with wins over the Bulls and Notre Dame. These 2025 Hurricanes are legit.
There were moments against USF that you wanted more from Miami, but coming into late September undefeated with multiple ranked wins shows a program that's serious about those playoff goals.
What we learned vs. USF:
If you were at Hard Rock, the energy was electric early. Relief mixed with pride.
Relief, because in recent seasons, Miami let some teams hang around longer than they should.
Pride because the offense looked sharp, the run game broke explosive plays at key moments, and the defense held up under pressure.
The vibe after Mark Fletcher's 38-yard TD run in the second quarter felt like 'Canes Nation has waited years for that kind of burst to take control of a ranked opponent. Thatâs the kind of moment that builds belief.
Thereâs also reason for caution:
The two interceptions.
A couple of drives where USF's defense made things messy for Miami.
So, to the âWhat-Aboutâ crowd: Yes, thereâs still work to do. But at 3-0, itâs easier to look forward and believe in pushing the ceiling, not just chasing potential.
Key takeaways vs. USF
Miami essentially closed the door on USF in the second quarter.
USF had momentum and knocked in that field goal to make it a one-score Miami lead at 14-6. But then, the 'Canes stacked another pair of unanswered TDs. Fletcher's 38-yard scoring run, and then QB1 Carson Beck added another TD from the 2. Miami led 28-6 and never looked back.
Some key takeaways from the win over USF:
Balanced offense matters. Beck has been slinging it well from the start, but the run game with Fletcher puts defenses in conflict.
Depth feeds big plays. Six 'Canes gained rushing yards in the game; eight made plays catching passes. USFâs defense never got comfortable.
Mental toughness wins. When USF challenged, Miami answered. That matters down the stretch in the ACC and in the playoff race.
Turnovers are still a concern. Two interceptions, against stronger teams, those cost you.
Week 4 & beyond
Those two ranked wins strengthen No. 4 Miami's resume. Beating Florida for a 4-0 start would force poll voters and the playoff committee to respect The U.
In that sense, it's not just the wins and losses that matter, but also how dominant or how clutch you are. Among the undefeated teams, late September becomes a contest of quality wins and style points.
Looking ahead to Miami vs. Florida on Sept. 20, this starts to seem like a matchup that tells a lot about what we can expect from the 'Canes through the mid-season.
On one hand, it's not a ranked opponent this time, with a QB who's struggling (DJ Lagway: 5 TDs, 6 INTs). Do the âCanes end up taking that too lightly?
Other hand, these Florida in-state rivalry games always bring the juice.
On one hand, for Florida, this is already a must-win just to keep the whole season from falling off a cliff. Does their urgency put Miami on its heels early?
Other hand, for Miami, itâs a chance to sprint ahead to 4-0, build momentum, and show that this 'Canes squad isnât just good on paper but good even with the lights on.
Keys for No. 4 Miami vs. Florida:
Eliminate turnovers and force Florida into a field position game that keeps steady pressure on Lagway to risk downfield throws.
Win the turnover ratio.
Limit Floridaâs explosive plays with scheme and adjustments to challenge Lagway's processing speed and time to make plays.
Maintain that run-pass balance that was so effective vs. USF.
The bottom line
'Canes fans, breathe this in! The CFP isnât just a dream, itâs a target.
Somebody's gonna get there. And this 2025 season is getting very close to Miami having a shot at something special.
But like the good old days of The U, the feeling isnât anxiety. Itâs anticipation. And thatâs rare.
One of these games in the next few Saturdays will define No. 4 Miami's season. It might just be the turning point for a postseason run you tell stories about for years to come.
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