South Florida's 63–36 road win at North Texas on Friday night meaningfully strengthens Miami's resume. The Hurricanes beat USF 49–12 on Sept. 13 and as the Bulls keep stacking quality wins and sit in the Top 25, the value of that non-conference win improves. When the CFP committee meets for the first time later this season, the emphasis on strength of schedule and strength of record should go in the Hurricanes favor when comparing them to a lot of teams.
EVERYTHING'S BIGGER IN TEXAS#ComeToTheBay | #StayInTheBay pic.twitter.com/aTsgyt0MCU
— USF Football (@USFFootball) October 11, 2025
The Bulls are 5–1 (2–0 in AAC play) after handing previously unbeaten North Texas its first loss. USF entered the game ranked No. 24 and already had wins over Boise State and Florida.
USF's surge flipped the game with an avalanche across halftime. After a muffed punt set up a 2-yard Byrum Brown touchdown pass with two seconds left in the half to tie the game, USF opened the third quarter with a trick play — receiver Christian Neptune’s 29-yard touchdown pass to Keshaun Singleton — then cashed in two more takeaways, including Jhalyn Shuler’s 34-yard fumble return, to seize a 42–21 lead.
The Bulls forced five turnovers in all and outgained the Mean Green 580–423. Brown finished 22 of 28 for 245 yards with three passing touchdowns, added 82 rushing yards and two scores, and USF's defense picked off Drew Mestemaker three times after he entered the night without an interception this season. North Texas, 5–0 for the first time since 1959 entering Friday, couldn't recover.
GO CANES SAY IT BACK! ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/oVLt3kbM6K
— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) September 14, 2025
Why the USF win over North Texas helps Miami
Simply put: committee members compare otherwise similar teams by evaluating who they beat and how tough the schedules were. Beating a ranked USF team — in the fashion that Miami did — that wins on the road and stays in AAC contention boosts the Hurricanes' overall schedule strength. Now, it won't guarentee a top seed by the end of the year, but it still is a good look for Miami.
If USF continues to win, Miami could have a dominant win over the Group of Six representative in the CFP. Add that to a win over Notre Dame, a Florida team that just beat Texas, and potentially an FSU that could get back on track, the Hurricanes 5-0 record is elite.
USF's remaining schedule
The Bulls still have plenty of work to do to make the CFP, but they are in good position right now. Any additional wins — particularly at Memphis or Navy — would further lift USF in the rankings and, by extension, improve the perceived quality of Miami's September win.
- FAU on Oct. 18
- at No. 23 Memphis on Oct. 25
- UTSA on Nov. 6
- at Navy on Nov. 15
- at UAB on Nov. 22
- Rice on Nov. 29