Countdown to Kickoff Show: Miami vs. Florida State

Tune in above as CaneSport Publisher Gary Ferman and Gene Williams of Warchant.com break down the Miami-FSU game

The Miami vs. Florida State rivalry that has become one of the nation’s best began in 1951, and most recently saw FSU win seven straight between 2010 and 2016 before the Canes took four in a row from 2017-2020. But FSU has now won the last two, including a 45-3 blowout last year in Miami Gardens. So now UM is trying to return the favor in Tallahassee on Saturday afternoon.

This is a series that has seen it all, from games that determined national champions to Wide Right I-IV and even a Wide Left. There have been last second-TDs for the win, last second TD passes for wins that fell incomplete, pre-game skirmishes, post-game skirmishes, in-game skirmishes. A disrespectful FSU rap song, Sebastian the Ibis getting hauled off by cops when he grabbed a fire extinguisher to put out the flaming spear … pretty much you name it, this series has it.

So would it be all that wild if a two-touchdown underdog Miami team somehow upset a 9-0 and No. 4 ranked Florida State team? In that context maybe it would just add another amazing chapter to an amazing rivalry.

But it won’t be easy from a Miami Hurricanes perspective, but with a defense that’s faring well and an excellent run game and offensive line, perhaps if the passing game issues find an answer this can be a competitive game. That probably means either Tyler Van Dyke getting back to form after four games that saw him throw 10 interceptions … or another QB (Jacurri Brown or Emory Williams) steps up. Certainly the Miami quarterback play is going to have a huge, huge focus heading into kickoff.

As for what Miami’s up against? Here’s a glance at what FSU brings to the table:

On offense FSU averages 39.6 points and 458.3 yards per game (164.4 rushing). Quarterback Jordan Travis is a difference-maker who has thrown for 2,469 yards (274 yards per game) with 19 TDs and just two INTs while adding 190 rush yards and seven more TDs on the ground. The top pass catchers are Keon Coleman (38 catches, 538 yards, 9 TDs, missed last weekend’s game but is expected back this weekend), Johnny Wilson (25-414-2 in six games, could be back this weekend as well) and Jaheim Bell (31-365-2). The running backs room is led by Trey Benson, who has 641 yards and eight TDs, and Lawrance Toafili has added 283 yards and two scores. The offensive line has only allowed 12 sacks in the nine games, and the run game averages 5.0 yards per carry.

On the other side of the ball FSU allows just 17.0 points and 332.6 yards per game. The team has 25 sacks led by five from LB Kalen DeLoach (49 tackles, 8.5 TFL) and 4.5 from DL Jared Verse (6.5 TFL, 7 QB hurries). The team also has six interceptions and six fumble recoveries, and there’s talent at all levels on D.

So stay tuned for a huge game Saturday.

And, again, tune in at the top of this story as Gary Ferman and Warchant’s Gene Williams share their takes.