Miami (FL) @ South Florida preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 17, 2012 ) South Florida 9, Miami 40

Miami (Fla.) has not been unbeaten through three games since sprinting to a 6-0 start in 2004 and its confidence continues to grow with the ACC season on the horizon. Senior quarterback Stephen Morris suffered an ankle injury last week, but is expected to play as the 15th-ranked Hurricanes meet winless South Florida on Saturday. Sophomore Duke Johnson leads the ground attack for Miami and its defense must contain senior Marcus Shaw, who is averaging 132.7 yards rushing for the Bulls.

South Florida’s quarterbacks are struggling and five defensive touchdowns have been scored against the Bulls. However, the Hurricanes have not been challenged since beating Florida on Sept. 7 and the Bulls are rested after a bye. “These rivalry games are exactly that,” Hurricanes coach Al Golden said at his weekly press conference. “They’re spirited, they’re heated, and we have to make sure we’re taking care of business and focusing on ourselves all week."

TV: Noon ET, ESPNU. LINE: Miami -18.5.

ABOUT MIAMI (3-0): Morris threw for 322 yards in the first two games before going down in the 77-7 victory over Savannah State and junior backup Ryan Williams (14-for-17, 216 yards) has played well. Senior wideout Allen Hurns is Miami’s top target with 11 catches for 194 yards and Johnson looks to extend his touchdown streak to eight games after being limited to eight rushing attempts last week. The Hurricanes have allowed only 29 points in three games, keyed by junior linebacker Denzel Perryman’s 20 tackles.

ABOUT SOUTH FLORIDA (0-3): Sophomore Steven Bench, a transfer from Penn State, is expected to be the third different starter at quarterback after completing 8-of-23 passes for 128 yards in the 28-10 loss to Florida Atlantic on Sept. 14. The Bulls have turned the ball over eight times, but Shaw is ninth in the nation in rushing yards per game and junior wide receiver Andre Davis can be a threat with nine catches for 116 yards. Senior linebacker DeDe Lattimore leads South Florida’s defense with 31 tackles.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Miami junior TE Clive Walford has either scored a touchdown or gained a first down 17 of the last 18 times he has touched the ball.

2. South Florida is 20 percent on third-down conversions, better than only two teams in the FBS.

3. The Hurricanes have won four of the five previous meetings, including both at South Florida.

PREDICTION: Miami 38, South Florida 14