PREDICTIONS: Miami at Florida State
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Will the Miami Hurricanes shock the college football world and beat the Florida State Seminoles inside of Doak Campbell Stadium?
It's been a difficult past month, but the chance to knock off one's arch-rival and potentially push the Seminoles out of the College Football Playoff would be sweet for the Canes.
As of Thursday morning, the betting line is staying consistent with what it began the week. You can check out the information for game day right here, including the betting line, television, kickoff time, series history, and more.
Miami (6-3, 2-3) at Florida State (9-0, 7-0)
Brian Smith, Publisher - Florida State 31 Miami 13
This will be a close game throughout the first two-and-a-half quarters, but the Seminoles will pull away due to better offensive production. Yes, the different possibilities for Miami's quarterback situation could come into play, but I believe Tyler Van Dyke will at least start the game.
Whether or not Van Dyke finishes the contest is something I place at a 50-50 proposition. During the past month, Van Dyke is just not seeing the field, especially the deep middle, well enough to successfully help the Hurricanes score points.
That point would also be why I believe FSU eventually pulls away. Jordan Travis and the Noles will have too many chances with good field position because Miami will be punting far too often and the defense will be left on the gridiron too much as well (I'm projecting seven total punts). The defense will eventually falter due to the offense's ineptitude.
While this will be a valiant effort by Rueben Bain, Jr., Leonard Taylor III, Kamren Kinchens, and the defense as a whole, eventually FSU wide receivers Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson are going to make plays. The proverbial damn will also eventually break with the FSU rushing attack popping multiple 15-plus-yard runs in the second half.
Alex Donno, Writer/Podcaster - Florida State 30 - Miami 16
This is my first time logging a prediction against Miami this season. While there is a path to victory for the Hurricanes, it would involve a near-perfect performance. Nothing about the way Miami's passing offense has operated lately should make me feel like winning this game is more likely to happen than losing it.
The Hurricanes would have to hit some big plays down the field to keep pace with FSU's offense. Miami would have to go at least plus-two in turnover margin.
I expect Miami's defense to play their hearts out and keep the game close until the fourth quarter. Even if Rueben Bain gets doubled and held, he can open things up for teammates like Jared Harrison-Hunte, Leonard Taylor, and Jahfari Harvey.
Miami can hope for good safety play from Kam Kinchens and James Williams, but their cornerbacks will be tested like never before by FSU receivers Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson. Players like these, along with quarterback Jordan Travis, can give the Seminoles their biggest advantage. The Hurricanes need to keep constant pressure on Travis while maintaining gap integrity.
The area I worry about most is Miami's quarterback situation. Will it be Tyler Van Dyke, Emory Williams, Jacurri Brown, or some combination of the three? My hunch is that TVD will start, but be kept on a short leash. Can he re-discover his confidence? If it's not Tyler, can one of his inexperienced backups hit enough plays to keep up with FSU's top-25 offense? Nothing about this will be easy.
Hopefully, this turns out to be one of those vintage rivalry games where you can throw the records out, and the underdogs rise to the occasion.
Liam Willerup, Writer - Florida State 38 Miami 13
If you were to ask me after the Clemson win, I'd probably have higher hopes for the Hurricanes going into this game. However, after a complete blunder of a game against NC State, I'm worried Miami isn't mentally strong enough to take over in enemy territory.
With the quarterback controversy at the moment, and with Emory Williams potentially getting the start on the road, it further weakens Miami's chances.
If Miami has any fighting chance in this game, it will be if they are able to dominate the line of scrimmage and force Jordan Travis to make some crucial errors with the football. Kamren Kinchens and James Williams would also need to play mistake-free football, as their over-the-top coverage on Florida State's receivers is going to be a major factor.
While this game likely won't be as big of a blowout as last season, it could get ugly quickly if Miami "shoots itself in the foot". Given my prediction, this game will be pretty much over by the third quarter.
Rowdy Baribeau, Writer: Florida State 38 Miami 10
The Hurricanes have regressed immensely over the last few weeks, which started with an embarrassingly bad loss to Georgia Tech. Coming up with this prediction was unfortunately a no-brainer for a plethora of reasons.
For one, Tyler Van Dyke is playing some of the worst football of his career, and the Hurricanes' offense continuously stalls out on drives or turns the ball over. Miami's offense has not looked as cohesive as it did the first four weeks of the season. Depending upon who coach Mario Cristobal chooses to roll out onto the field, the results, either way, will likely not be in favor of the Canes.
For two, Florida State is one of the hottest teams in the country while Miami is taking multiple steps back before our eyes. Florida State's wide receivers outmatch the Hurricanes defensive backs on paper. FSU quarterback Jordan Travis is playing some of the best football of his career, and that gives the Noles the edge.
Miami needs to rely on its physicality and try to stay disciplined. If the Canes can do that, they give themselves the best chance to win. But... those odds are slim after judging where both teams are at this point in the year.
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