The Florida State Seminoles have made a habit of starting slow this season, but they’ve ended strong enough to remain undefeated. Their next challenge comes in the form of the Miami Hurricanes, who are riding a three-game win streak. Will the home underdogs take out the defending national champions? Read on for our take on this intriguing matchup.
For more on the biggest college football games coming your way, check out our complete previews of the Auburn Tigers vs. Georgia Bulldogs and Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Wisconsin Badgers games.
[sc:NCAAFArticles ]Florida State Seminoles vs. Miami Hurricanes Preview
Where: Sun Life Stadium, Miami
When: Saturday, November 15, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Florida State Seminoles (-2) at Miami Hurricanes (+2) – view all NCAA Football lines
Betting on the Florida State Seminoles
With a 34-20 win over Virginia last week, the Florida State Seminoles set a school record of 25-straight wins, dating back to 2012. They are the 25th team in NCAA history to win 25 in a row. Despite this year’s 9-0 record to extend their win streak, the ‘Noles have regularly failed to cover the spread, going 2-7 ATS on the season.
Quarterback Jameis Winston had a couple of early hiccups against Virginia. He threw two interceptions in the first quarter to help the Cavaliers to an early lead. Winston made up for it though, finishing with 261 passing yards while accounting for two touchdowns (one passing and one rushing).
[sc:NCAA240banner ]Wide receiver Rashad Greene had a career-high 13 receptions for 136 yards and a score. He is now ranked third in ACC history with 3,454 career receiving yards. Even though Winston has a reliable weapon in Greene, the two might have their problems against Miami’s defense.
The Hurricanes have the fourth-best pass defense in the ACC, allowing 180.6 passing yards per game. Winston also had his fair share of mistakes against Miami last season, throwing two interceptions.
If Winston fails to establish his passing game early, expect the ‘Noles’ solid backfield rotation of Karlos Williams, Dalvin Cook and Mario Pender to bail them out. Of the three, leading running back Williams may figure more into this game as he has experience against Miami’s defense from last year’s game.
He ran for 46 yards on five carries against Miami in 2013 and is averaging 4.6 yards per carry this season with a team-high seven touchdowns to boot.
On the other side of the ball, the Seminoles have a liability in cornerback P.J. Williams. Virginia’s first two touchdowns came off passes thrown at Williams’ direction. With a possible hole in Florida State’s secondary exposed, Miami may have a clear game plan to follow especially with a couple of talented offensive playmakers at their disposal.
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Betting on the Miami Hurricanes
Fresh off their bye week, the Miami Hurricanes will have had more than enough time to game plan for the defending national champions. The Hurricanes are 5-1 following a bye since 2011.
The Hurricanes have one of the most dynamic running backs in all of college football in Duke Johnson. The talented Miami running back ranks sixth in the nation with 1,213 yards, with nine touchdowns. Johnson will be one of Miami’s weapons against Florida State, especially with the junior having first-hand experience going against the ‘Noles last year with 97 yards on 23 carries.
With some more experience under his belt, Johnson should be able to make some big gains against Florida State’s run defense, which has allowed over 150 rushing yards in three of their last four games.
While the ‘Noles’ attention will primarily be on Johnson, Miami’s leading receiver Phillip Dorsett (572 yards) and tight end Clive Walford (395 yards) also have the ability to challenge their opponents’ secondary. They should be able to do so with quarterback Brad Kaaya throwing the ball very efficiently in recent games.
Kaaya has thrown seven touchdowns in his last three games and should be confident heading into this game after seeing all the passing yards the Florida State defense has given up. The Seminoles are third from bottom in the ACC with 238 passing yards allowed per game.
While Miami’s offensive playmakers attempt to put themselves on the scoreboard, their defense will try to keep the reigning Heisman Trophy winner off the field for as long as they can. The Hurricanes will rely on their reliable pass rush (2.67 sacks per game) headed by linebacker Thurston Armbrister (five sacks).
With some support from defensive linemen Ufomba Kamalu (3.5 sacks) and Anthony Chickillo (two sacks), the Hurricanes’ pass rush unit should be able to make a couple of big hits on Winston.
The total has gone under in the Hurricanes’ five ACC games this season.
Writer’s Prediction
The Hurricanes surprise the defending champions early, but fail to hold on to their lead. The Seminoles (-2) win.
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