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 ended in Miami mediocrity, it’s time to take the No. 8 Hurricanes seriously. Their 50-15 win over USF at Raymond James Stadium looked like validation that these ’Canes are the ACC favorites and contenders for the College Football Playoff — not merely to make the 12-team field but to have a shot at making a run.

The Miami Hurricanes and USF Bulls played a hectic, lengthy, back-and-forth first half on Saturday. But once the teams returned from their locker rooms, the Hurricanes took over and played like the team that has dominated through the first three weeks of the season.