Miami ran away with a 50-15 win at USF on Saturday. What does the 4-0 start mean for Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes?

Miami, aided by a pair of big third-down conversions and four USF penalties, marched 75 yards down the field on its opening drive, with running back Damien Martinez capping it with a 2-yard rushing touchdown. Martinez also had a 14-yard catch-and-run on a third down midway through the drive.

Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward is not short on athleticism, but he chooses to wait for options to develop in UM’s talented passing game instead of taking off and running.

Meanwhile, left tackle Jalen Rivers and defensive end Rueben Bain Jr., neither of whom has played since UM’s season-opener at Florida, were in street clothes, signaling they’ll most likely be out for a third consecutive game.

After years of false starts and false hope ending in Miami mediocrity, it’s time to take the No. 8 Hurricanes seriously. Not just as the ACC favorites. Not just as contenders to make the expanded College Football Playoff.

The No. 8 Miami Hurricanes continued their torrid start to the season with a 50-15 blowout of the USF Bulls on Saturday at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium to improve to 4-0 on the season.

Fueled by three total rushing touchdowns by Damien Martinez, including two in the second half, and another stellar performance from quarterback Cam Ward, No. 8 Miami pulled away from USF and left Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium with a 50-15 road win.