I haven't done a deep dive, but from my amateur view of it...
Canes vs Bulls: OL vs DL - We've said it time and again - we probably have the best OL in the nation and at worst one of the top 3. They are well-coached and have real athletes on their DL, but I expect us to win this going away. Where I could see them giving us fits is if they sell out to stop the run and Beck and the receivers are not on the same page and then we get a couple of turnovers and now, they just have to pin their ears back. Still, we should win this all-important phase of the game. Advantage Canes.
Canes vs Bulls: DL vs OL - We should have an advantage here, but if Brown finds a lot of success scrambling and running the ball, this could nullify our elite pass rush and run stopping. It's a big "IF". I still think our DL will get to Brown in the 2nd half when he's gassed. Advantage Canes.
Canes vs Bulls: Run D vs Brown and his RB's - We have traditionally had a hard time against running QB's and he's one of the best, if not the best in the county. Heatherman's no fool, so I think he'll ghost him and use other techniques and schemes to mute the QB's effectiveness, but make no mistake, Brown will crack off a few that will make us wanna tear our hair out. Advantage Canes.
Canes vs Bulls: Run Game vs Run D - Because of our OL and depth, we should be able to wear them down. I think they'll have some success in the first half and then I think our size and depth will gain us most of our yards in the 2nd half. Advantage Canes.
Canes vs Bulls: Passing Game vs Pass D and pass rush - The one thing the Bulls can do no matter who the opponent is would be to put pressure on the QB and they have athletes in their secondary. However, as long as Beck is healthy and able to take snaps, he WILL pick them apart. And, I do believe our O is still blossoming and will have more weapons and packages as the season wears on. I expect more passes to the TE's and backs. Advantage Canes.
Canes vs Bulls: Pass D vs Brown - Brown is a monster athlete and he can chuck the ball down the field. I haven't been overly impressed with their wide receivers - too many drops and bad routes this season and I don't expect that to get solved in the next 6 days when they play in front of loud crowd at Hard Rock. I think the only way Brown hurts us with the forward pass is by their fast tempo which could result in blown coverages - and the COULD happen. If we are able to contain the run game, which includes not letting Brown run wild on us, we should do well here. Advantage Canes.
Canes vs Bulls: Mario vs Golesh - I want to keep it positive here, but Golesh has done a great job coaching up his guys and making them believe. Mario's stock and rating will certainly go up with each victory as a game day HC. I don't know Golesh's staff like I do ours and I really like our coordinators and position coaches. If the game is a nail biter... Advantage...slightly to USF.
Canes vs Bulls: Intangibles - It's really hard to say. The Bulls BELIEVE after beating UF. We believe after beating ND. Their tempo on O could catch us a couple of times for big gains. They won't be bothered by the heat and humidity. It's on our crib and they are coming off the high of beating the Gaytors.... Advantage Canes.
Prediction: It's as simple as this - if we are -2 TO's and Brown weaves some magic and doesn't wear down the entire game, the Bulls just might steal one from us. It could happen. But, I think Mario, Dawson and Heatherman will have our guys locked in and I will say - as long as Beck is relatively healthy, it's hard for me to see him losing a regular season game, he's just too smart and has the tool kit to get it done when needed.
Score: Bulls 17 - Canes 38. Close game in the first half and then our depth takes the game over and we pull away in the 2nd half.
