After Miami was favored by 16.5 points at South Florida for most of the week, the spread moved more in the Hurricanes' favor to 17.5 just a few hours before kickoff per FanDuel. The line movement could have been due to an unreported injury or the money being bet on Miami. Potentially both.
The money line has also moved in favor of Miami. Miami was minus 880 on the money line and South Florida was plus 580 late on Friday night. An hour before kickoff, Miami is minus 900 and South Florida is plus 590. Per the X account Odds and Picks 25 percent of the bets and 38 percent of the money is on South Florida at plus 17.
Odds and Picks reported 56 percent of bets and 60 percent of money is on the over. The line seems more likely to have been adjusted to only 25 percent of the bets and 38 percent of the money going on South Florida. Miami has made a statement by outscoring its first three opponents by 43 points per game.
Only Tennessee and Ohio State entered week three with a higher average margin of victories. South Florida is 74th nationally being outscored by 0.5 PPG. The Bulls have wins over Bethune-Cookman and Southern Mississippi with a 42-16 loss at Alabama in between.
Miami is 2-1 versus the point spread in 2024. South Florida is 3-0. Miami failed to cover as a 48-point favorite in a 56-9 win versus Florida A&M in week two. All three Miami games have gone over this season. Two of the South Florida games have gone under. Only South Florida's 49-24 win over Southern Miss went over.
The line movement from 16.5 points to 17.5 could be significant when placing money on Miami. Betting on Miami now requires the Hurricanes to win by more than two traditional touchdowns (with a PAT over a two-point conversion) and a field goal. Miami at South Florida will kick off at 7 PM Eastern Daylight Time on ESPN.