Jimbo Fisher outlines Florida State's path to victory over Miami

No. 18 Florida State suffered its first loss of the season last Friday night on the road at now-No. 24-ranked Virginia 46-38. The Seminoles fell behind 14-0 but eventually forced a comeback and 2OT, but were unable to pull off the win in Charlottesville.

The ‘Noles now sit at 3-1 through four games with just one victory over a Power Four opponent (Alabama). Due to their lack of a resume and a weak schedule looming over the remainder of the season, this weekend’s clash against No. 3 Miami could very well qualify as a must-win game for Florida State. Former Seminole head coach Jimbo Fisher broke down the keys to a victory during Friday afternoon’s ‘SportsCenter‘.

“I think right now this game comes at a good time because there’s nothing that gets your attention like a rivalry,” Fisher said. “It makes you jump right up and get ready to play. Florida State is going to have to control the defensive line. Their defensive line is gonna have to stop the run. Miami is gonna run that football and bring it downhill.

“What you’re gonna have to do is avoid the big passing plays on top of that. On offense, get off to a fast start because I think Miami wants to control the tempo of the game with their running game and their play action passes.

“Their defense is really good, but if Florida State can hit some big plays early and play that game even and make Miami uncomfortable and have to take some chances, it’s gonna give them a lot better chance to get some turnovers. It’s always going to take a turnover or two and you know this; you can’t have good victories without a little adversity. They had some adversity last week and they can’t let that one loss become two. Put it behind you, forget about it and get ready for these Canes.”

Fisher, who coached at Florida State from 2010-2017, was 7-1 in eight games against Miami. The ‘Noles won those seven games by an average score of 32-20.

Jordan Rodgers claims that Miami is on ‘upset alert’

SEC Network analyst Jordan Rodgers is also high on Florida State bouncing back strong this week with a win over the ‘Canes this weekend. He elaborated more on Friday morning.

“Yeah (Miami is) on upset alert,” Rodgers also said on Friday’s ‘Get Up‘. “I don’t think what we saw last week with Florida State losing a shootout to Virginia really changes anything. They can still run the football. They’re No. 2 in the country in rushing, but Miami is as good as it gets in run defense. They’re eighth and I think they’re a lot better than that. They shut down Notre Dame. Jeremiyah Love only had 93 yards. They shut down Florida on the ground, so it’s strength on strength.

“That means Miami is gonna lose this game before Florida State wins this game, and I’m talking directly to Carson Beck. We’ve seen more of the Georgia version of Carson Beck the past couple of weeks. Three interceptions in the last two games. He’s forcing throws. He needs to play like a quarterback that realizes he has an elite run game with Mark Fletcher and an elite defense. You don’t have to play Superman. If he doesn’t turn the ball over, Miami should win this.”

Kickoff between No. 3 Miami and No. 18 Florida State this weekend is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. The game can be seen on ABC.