FLORIDA — When USF takes on No. 8 Miami on Saturday night, up to 60,000-plus fans may be settled in at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. 

Though not a record — that was 69,383 in 2012 to see USF-Florida State — it’ll be a raucous environment as the Hurricanes continue their return to prominence behind transfer quarterback Cam Ward. Now an early-season Heisman favorite (9-to-2 odds), Ward is enjoying a 73% completion percentage with 11 touchdowns during Miami’s 3-0 start. 

USF (2-1) had a nice bounce-back win at Southern Miss last week after its toe-to-toe tangle with No. 4 Alabama (until the game’s last 10 minutes) in Tuscaloosa turned into a 42-16 loss.   

The Bulls will need their frisky defense to put in another workmanlike effort and plenty of points from quarterback Byrum Brown and USF's offense to earn a signature win. 

Meanwhile, Florida (1-2, 0-1 in Southeastern Conference) will play at Mississippi State (1-2), one of the few soft spots remaining on what many consider the toughest schedule in the country. Both teams are looking to get on the winning track in the SEC.

The most interesting aspect of this game could be whether a loss to the struggling Bulldogs would mean the end of coach Billy Napier’s tenure after 29 games. 

It would be unlikely so early in the season, but stay tuned. 

FSU (0-3), meanwhile, is still looking for a victory and is a slight favorite against Cal, a new member of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Surprisingly, it’s the Golden Bears entering the contest undefeated at 3-0, including a win against Auburn. 

FSU last was 0-4 three years ago in Coach Mike Norvell’s second season (2021). 

UCF is off after an improbable 35-34 comeback win at TCU last week kept the Knights (3-0) among the unbeaten.

Here's a look at this week’s games: 

Saturday, Sept. 21

Florida (1-2, 0-1 in SEC) at Mississippi State (1-2, 0-0), noon, ESPN 

Florida quarterback Graham Mertz was part of a Wisconsin team in 2021 that started 1-3 before winning seven in a row and making the Las Vegas Bowl, so there is still hope for the Gators. Once again, he and freshman DJ Lagway are expected to share time taking the snaps against Mississippi State. Florida coach Billy Napier departed Florida Field on Saturday to a round of boos as he entered the tunnel to the locker room. The good news for him and his players is they are on the road. Napier continues to urge his players to block out the noise and focus on game preparation and details so they can get a win. Defense might hold the key for both teams. Florida is giving up an average of 407.3 yards per game, which is last in the SEC. Mississippi State is 15th, averaging 388 yards allowed per game.

No. 8 Miami (3-0) at USF (2-1), 7 p.m. ESPN

Cam Ward is the first Miami quarterback to throw for at least 300 yards in each of his first three games as a Hurricane. USF will need a repeat of its effort against ‘Bama two weeks ago, when it took a one-point game into the fourth quarter before the dam broke. USF coach Alex Golesh said the expected environment is what he envisions for the future of his program. A win Saturday night would be a big step in that direction. USF is 1-5 all-time against the Hurricanes, winning 23-20 in 2010. 

California (3-0) at Florida State (0-3, 0-1 in Atlantic Coast Conference), 7 p.m., ESPN2 

Yes, this a conference game for the beleaguered 'Noles and the upstart Bears. FSU needs all the offensive positivity it can muster, with just 25 points scored collectively in its past two games and few splash plays coming from its new-look offense with transfer quarterback DJ Uiagalelei. He is completing 56.6% of his passes with just one touchdown, and FSU fans have started chanting for backup Brock Glenn. FSU is 124th in scoring offense, averaging 15.3 points a game. The good news for the Seminoles is offensive coordinator Alex Atkins will return to the sideline after missing the first three games of the season for a suspension related to a recruiting violation.

UCF (3-0) is off this week.

Knights running back RJ Harvey will get some rest this week after being named Big 12 Conference Offensive Player of the Week and Doak Walker Award National Running Back of the Week following his three touchdowns and 209 all-purpose yards against TCU last week. Next up is Colorado on Sept. 28 at FBC Mortgage Stadium.