The Hurricanes made key adjustments at halftime and rolled to a dominant win over. QB Cam Ward had another strong game, and UM’s defense kept USF’s run offense in check.

After years of false starts and false hope ending in Miami mediocrity, it’s time to take the No. 8 Hurricanes seriously. Not just as the ACC favorites. Not just as contenders to make the expanded College Football Playoff.

Miami, aided by a pair of big third-down conversions and four USF penalties, marched 75 yards down the field on its opening drive, with running back Damien Martinez capping it with a 2-yard rushing touchdown. Martinez also had a 14-yard catch-and-run on a third down midway through the drive.