South Florida Squashed By That Team From South Florida

That team from South Florida, the University of Miami, beat that team from Tampa, the University of South Florida and if you think that's confusing, you should have seen the USF defense.

Miami (9-3), aka "The U," beat the "USF" (7-4) like a drum Saturday in front of a sellout crowd at Raymond James Stadium. It was 31-10 and it seemed much worse.

Miami dominated this game in every way a game can be dominated. Both Miami lines were too physical for USF, Miami forced its will on the Bulls and there was never a doubt how it would turn out.

USF is a simple team to figure out and Miami had no problem. Stop B.J. Daniels and USF is done. Miami stopped B.J. Daniels and everyone else USF tried to throw at the 'Canes.

Daniels completed only six passes for 77 yards and he ran for just 39. That's a far cry from the 445 yards he amassed Louisville on the same field last week.

But this was no Louisville, this was a Miami team with superior size, speed and athletic talent. If it was a boxing match, it would not have gone the distance.

South Florida's defense got punched in the face, again and again by the Miami offense. There was no stopping the Hurricane ground game. Damien Berry ran for 114 yards but more important, average just under 10 yards per carry. In all, Miami averaged five yards per rush.

Total offense was lopsided: 401 for Miami, 220 for USF. USF didn't even have 100 yards at halftime.

"They (Miami) were very well coached," USF's Jim Leavitt said afterward. "They're just better than we were at the line of scrimmage. We were getting knocked off the ball. It showed the level of depth they have."

Miami scored early and often and took a 21-3 halftime lead.

Only touchdown drive by USF came at the start of the third, it was 21-10 and that's as close as it would get.

Along with Berry, Javarris James was too tough on short yardage situations and scored two touchdowns.

Miami quarterback Jacory Harris (11/21 for 161) wasn't sensational but he didn't have to be. He had plenty of backup from his ground game and defense.

It was simply no contest from the start.

Miami showed USF how far behind it is in talent, speed and yes, coaching.

"I'm so glad we scheduled them. It shows where we've got to get to," Leavitt said.

"We've got some work to do."