In three games this season, Ward has completed 73% of his passes for 1,035 yards (averaging 345 yards per game), with 11 touchdowns and just one interception. Heading into Week 4, his 11 touchdown passes lead all FBS programs, and his passing yard total tops all quarterbacks in the ACC.
However, it’s worth noting that Ward and the Hurricanes haven’t faced particularly strong opponents this year. They started the season by defeating a struggling Florida team (currently 1-2) 41-17, and they also won decisively against unranked Florida A&M and Ball State, outscoring them by a total of 109 points.
While it’s possible that Ward’s impressive performance may not hold up against tougher competition, he has certainly made a strong impression on top college and NFL Draft analysts this season, even without facing elite teams.
Led by Ward, Miami is currently ranked No. 8 in the AP Top 25 and No. 11 in the latest AFCA Coaches Poll, boasting a 3-0 record. With this strong start, the Hurricanes have a solid chance of being one of the 12 teams selected for this season’s College Football Playoff.
Next, Miami will make a short trip north to face the University of South Florida on Saturday. South Florida enters the matchup with a 2-1 record and is ranked 63rd in ESPN’s College Football Power Index.
In their six previous meetings with the Bulls, the Hurricanes have only lost once (in 2010). On Saturday, Ward and his Miami teammates will aim to improve their all-time record against South Florida to 6-1.
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