Great effort by the Canes. I was worried about a loss in this game all year and am thrilled it wasn't close to that. Seemingly every year we have 2-3 games with terrific intensity level and sure tackling on defense. This was one of them. Actually the margin could have been higher if Whipple had run the ball more, particularly early 3rd quarter.
USF needs to get bigger and more physical. That would allow them to limit the late season collapses. Miami certainly can deal with speed teams better than we match up with blue collar squads like Va Tech.
It's proper to play teams like USF and UCF, an investment in the future. Likewise, the Dolphins should be in the same division with Jacksonville and Tampa Bay. Location intensifies rivalries to exponential degree. I always laugh when Dolphin fans think games with Buffalo or New England are a big deal, compared to what it would be like facing Florida teams twice annually, and likewise there's no way the Canes are ever going to really care about annual opponents from North Carolina or nearby.