FSU Preview: Florida State at Miami

FSU Preview: Florida State at Miami

Saturday at 7:30 pm on ABC the ‘Noles will be in Miami Gardens to take on the Miami Hurricanes.

UM is 4-4 on the season with wins over Bethune-Cookman, Southern Miss, Virginia Tech and Virginia and losses to Texas A&M, Middle Tennessee, North Carolina and Duke.

Florida State is 31-35 against Miami in the all-time series. The ‘Noles beat the ‘Canes 31-28 last year after Jordan Travis converted a 4th and 14 in the final minutes.

Observations from the last game

FSU dominated a game they were supposed to dominate but made plenty of mistakes that need to be cleaned up.

Travis was awesome after the first quarter as he threw for a career high 396 passing yards.

The first team defense played great allowing only 24 yards in the first half. When Jared Verse and Fabien Lovett were on the field together Georgia Tech averaged only 2.6 yards per play.

Florida State offense versus Miami defense

The Hurricane defense is T-17 in the FBS against the run and middle of the road versus the pass. They are susceptible to giving up big plays as seen in the games versus Middle Tennessee and North Carolina. A big reason for the big plays is because UM blitzes quite a bit, which also leads to sacks and negative plays.

Talented pass rushers such as Leonard Taylor (3 sacks), Akheem Mesidor (5 sacks) and Jahfari Harvey lead the way for a defense that ranks 3rd in sacks per game with 3.9.

Even with the huge day through the air versus GT, I expect Miami to force the Seminoles to prove they can throw it once again. That means Johnny Wilson, Ja’khi Douglas and Mycah Pittman will need to win some one-on-one battles to soften up the defense.

Florida State defense versus Miami offense

The quarterback position will come down to the veteran Tyler Van Dyke, a pocket passer, and the second-year man Jake Garcia, a threat through the air and on the ground. If Van Dyke is 100% healthy I think he will start but anything less and I expect the more mobile Garcia to get the nod.

No matter who starts Miami will air it out, which will give Jared Verse plenty of opportunities to make an impact. The most dangerous UM receiver is tight end Will Mallory (28 receptions for 371 yards). Other targets are Xavier Restrepo, Colbie Young and Frank Ladson.

The running game is 115th in yards per carry and adding Fabien Lovett back to the FSU defense helped versus the run so I don’t think the UM run game will not be much of a factor.

Special Teams

Slight edge to Miami

Prediction

Miami has plenty of talent to make this a game but the injuries and huge mistakes like turnovers, penalties and missed assignments that have plagued them all season will come back to bite them once again.

Florida State 31 Miami 20.

2 Responses to "FSU Preview: Florida State at Miami"

  1. Politics should be kept off this thread as it is inappropriate.

    This should be dedicated to the players, football staff, fans, and awesome sports writer of this article who has been a pleasure to read this season. Keep up the good work as I see great things in your future!

  2. Now with the Noles rising up to attract football fans back to our city in Bobby Bowden numbers the City will make millions upon millions over and above the woke complainers $27Mill Doke Give Away!!!
    Yes the $27Mill for Seminole Booster fancy seating was an excellant investment which will pay off handsomally for COT and the local business’s that serve the football fans!!!
    Read the truth and weep woke liberals trying to convince our voter base to vote the woke candidates into office. Not going to work any more. The Noles are going to a Bowl Game!!!!

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