I think we can all agree that this football season didn't quite turn out the way we hoped it would. At this point in the season, we all would have imagined USF would be a few games away from a showdown for the Big East title, and Miami would have a couple more quality wins on their list, heading into a meaningful matchup that would make one team's season and possibly ruin the other's. Unfortunately, things won't be as meaningful as we had expected, but both teams still have something to play for. With USF and Miami each nearing the end of the season one game short of bowl eligibility, these teams will still have something to play for, even if it's not for a national audience.
UM is coming off a loss against FSU to drop to 5-5 with games against USF and Boston College remaining. A win against USF would vault the Hurricanes into bowl eligibility (although they should be on bowl ban if the NCAA would pick up their feet, but that's not what we're talking about here) and restore their prowess as one of the better teams in the state and in the ACC. But a win on Saturday won't be too easy to come by, as 5-4 USF is bouncing off a big, season-saving victory at Syracuse and has one to win one more game out of their final three to jump into position for the postseason for another year. A win would be particularly meaningful for the Bulls, who beat Miami in their own stadium last season and are looking to step above the Canes into the top tier of the state.
Many current Bulls fans are accustomed to seeing USF and Miami kicking off on Thanksgiving weekend, widely known throughout the nation as rivalry weekend. But unfortunately for USF, the Big East had other plans, attempting to force an annual rivalry between USF and Louisville instead, tossing geography and tradition aside for a cheap attempt at fabricating a meaningful game between the two. All that aside, a victory for USF will be immensely meaningful over a team that fans in Tampa have grown accustomed to considering their yearly "rivalry game", for lack of a better game. USF's galvanizing win last season let the rest of the state and region reconsider the pecking order in the state of Florida. Last season's showdown was more of a lose-lose situation for the 'Canes, since they were "supposed" to win that game, and if they didn't they'd be perceived as a team that's losing its stronghold on the state. This season, UM has been clawing their way back to regional respect after being torn apart by scandal in the summer.
Before the season began, many thought this game would be between two teams trying to stay in the rankings. Now we're looking at two teams trying to scratch their way into the postseason picture. But all meaning is not lost for this game. USF fans view this as rivalry week, so the Bulls will be playing hard to keep their fans' hopes alive. Miami is coming off what they consider rivalry week at FSU, and will be looking to bounce back before their ACC closer against Boston College. Both teams have been battling over a similar recruiting board in recent seasons, and it may just take a game like this to convince some recruits to join the winning side. Also of note, Miami just flipped USF recruit Rayshawn Jenkins this past week. All the while, USF has been working on signing over Miami commit Keith Brown, so there's already some storyline to this year's game.
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