Can Miami Rattle Jordan Travis And Create Turnovers?
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Even though the Florida State Seminoles have been placed as a 14.5-point favorite to knock off the Miami Hurricanes per the SI Sportsbook, that doesn’t mean a path for Miami to win doesn’t exist.
Miami’s defense must have created many problems – and take advantage of chances presented to it – by Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis.
Just the opposite of Miami quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, Travis was on fire of late, including throwing for 360 yards and a touchdown during a 24-7 win at Pittsburgh this past Nov. 4.
The following three questions were presented as a way to look into how the Hurricanes can knock Travis off his game and create turnovers.
1) Overconfidence in Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson, will that lead to Travis making poor decisions?
During the 2020 and 2021 seasons, one of the prime areas that drove FSU fans crazy about Travis was his propensity to throw the football into coverage. Basically, he kept on making the same poor decision.
While Travis has only 2 interceptions this season, several other throws could have been interceptions as well. A big reason those were not would be FSU wide receivers Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson.
They have combined for 63 receptions, 953 yards, 11 touchdowns, and an uncountable number of headaches for opposing defensive coordinators. That does not mean Travis has always made good decisions regarding when he should have thrown to either one of them.
Miami safeties James Williams and Kameron Kinchens have shown the talent to make special one-on-one plays, too. In fact, several of Miami’s defensive backs have. Now, they all need to showcase those skills against FSU, inside of Doak Campbell Stadium, when the opportunities have been afforded to them.
There will be plays where Travis gives his big-play receivers a chance to make a catch, but Miami’s defensive backs will have a shot for interceptions as well. Don’t be surprised if Travis ends this game with at least one interception.
2) Miami’s pass rush is tremendous, but how much will it get to Travis?
During the course of this season, Florida State’s offensive line has surrendered 12 sacks (24th nationally). Conversely, Miami sacked opposing quarterbacks 30 times (10th nationally). Something has to give.
Pittsburgh sacked Travis twice last Saturday, and there’s been consternation among FSU fans about right tackle Jeremiah Byers and allowing quarterback pressures and sacks. He’s going to see a lot of Rueben Bain, Jr., Jahfari Harvey, and other talented UM defensive ends.
Overall, Miami will have likely harassed Travis quite often by the time this game concluded. Do not be surprised if that will have caused the FSU quarterback to make passing mistakes that led to interceptions and/or fumbles when being hit.
3) Why doesn’t Travis run more?
In 2021, Travis ran for 535 yards and 7 touchdowns. In 2022 those numbers went down to 417 yards and 7 touchdowns. 2023 should end up being his worst rushing season though, as he’s only managed to run for 190 yards and 7 touchdowns through nine games. The touchdowns have been good, but Travis has simply not been taking off as frequently.
Expect Miami to go all-out and attempt to hammer him in the backfield. He’s been dynamic his whole career so the Canes have already accepted the premise that Travis will get loose a few times. That stated, there’s something else that’s been at play.
He’s been banged up; Travis had a shoulder injury. Ever since that happened in September, the FSU play calling cut back on designed plays to use Travis’s legs. Because of the shoulder injury to Travis, Miami will have at least one less thing to worry about.
Overall, for Miami to have pulled the huge upset over Florida State, making plays against Travis will have happened.
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