Florida State and Miami renew a intrastate rivalry on Saturday as the Hurricanes look to snap a 5-game losing streak to the Seminoles. The host Seminoles will look to improve to 4-0 while Miami hopes to bounce back from its first loss of the season. Miami was defeated by Cincinnati its last time out, but FSU also has a lot to prove after struggling on the road against Wake Forest. The Noled Out staff breaks down this week’s contest with “Five Things”:
1. On Miami
Mike Ferguson: Miami may not be the national power it was 15-20 years ago, but Al Golden’s team has plenty of talent and speed. Quarterback Brad Kaaya put up big numbers against the Seminoles last season. The defense for the Hurricanes has been opportunistic as Miami has the best turnover margin in the ACC this season. FSU has yet to turn the ball over on offense.
Clint Eiland: The Hurricanes are off to a shaky 3-1 start under fifth-year head coach Al Golden, whose seat gets hotter with each passing week. Miami’s three wins are against Florida Atlantic, Bethune-Cookman, and Nebraska (a game where it let its opponent overcome a 23-point deficit and push it to overtime) and its loss to a decent Cincinnati team on the road. Miami certainly has talented players — Brad Kaaya, Joseph Yearby and Deon Bush to name a few — but it doesn’t excel in any particular area. The Hurricanes have a solid special teams, but that’s about it. Serious questions abound as to whether or not Golden can utilize the talent to its fullest extent.
Jon Marchant: Florida State plays the rival Miami Hurricanes who are coming off a look-ahead but no less embarrassing loss to the Cincinnati Bearcats. They are led by quarterback Brad Kaaya, who has probably shown enough to eventually get a shot in the NFL. Miami also has a good though inconsistent offensive line and running back Joseph Yearby is talented if not quite a game-breaker. The receiving corps for Miami hasn’t exactly been great. On defense, the ‘Canes have talent, especially in the secondary with cornerback Corn Elder and safety Deon Bush.
2. Players to Watch for FSU
Ferguson: More so than in any game to this point, the guy to watch for Florida State is quarterback Everett Golson. The Seminoles could be without their top two backs on Saturday, including the ACC’s leading rusher Dalvin Cook. If that’s the case, Golson may have to make plays for FSU to win. He hasn’t turned the ball over yet, but aside from the opener against Texas State, the vertical passing game hasn’t been there.
Eiland: Dalvin Cook. The Florida State offense is just not good enough to win games without Cook in the backfield. He suffered a hamstring injury against Wake Forest, but most reports indicate that it wasn’t anything major. FSU needs him to be at least 85 percent if it wants to have any chance of getting the offense jump-started. In last year’s game against Miami, he had over 100 total yards, two touchdowns and 13.1 yards-per-carry. It’s personal for Cook, who calls Miami his hometown and shared a backfield with current Hurricane Joseph Yearby in high school.
Marchant: All eyes should again be on Everett Golson. With Dalvin Cook’s status up in the air and the young backup running backs not difference-makers at this point, the weight of the offense will be on Golson’s unsteady shoulders. He simply must elevate his game and this passing attack if FSU hopes to score enough to win.
3. Biggest Concern for FSU
Ferguson: One word: injuries. Dalvin Cook’s status for Saturday is up in the air, but the Seminoles will be without linebacker Terrance Smith and safety Nate Andrews. Smith has been a leader for the stout FSU defense this season and linebacker is a position where the Seminoles are extremely thin. Depth isn’t at all a problem at safety, but Andrews has led the team in interceptions in each of his first two seasons in the lineup and against a pass-happy Miami team, his presence could be missed.
Eiland: FSU’s defense has been great so far, even if it hasn’t faced the best competition. But Nate Andrews’ knee injury means he won’t be playing for a few weeks and linebacker Terrance Smith will not be starting on Saturday with an ankle sprain. Both are experienced defenders that have especially helped the Seminoles get off to their hot start. Losing any more players would give Brad Kaaya and a talented Miami offense the confidence it needs to pull an upset.
Marchant: Turnovers. The margin for error in this game will be razor-thin. Golson has done a good job this year of taking care of the football but two turnovers could be enough to doom a chance at victory in this game.
4. X-Factor for FSU
Ferguson: Based on history, it’s hard not to think that special teams won’t play some sort of role in a contest between FSU and Miami. Both teams have been strong in that area this season. FSU kicker Roberto Aguayo is arguably the best in the country while Miami punter Justin Vogel leads the ACC in punting. Kermit Whitfield for the Seminoles and Corn Elder for the Hurricanes are each explosive return guys and one big play on special teams could sway this game.
Eiland: Dalvin Cook’s health and whether or not he’s able to carry at least 15 times will help signal whether or not FSU is able to win. There is no replacement for him at this point. If he can’t do much on Saturday, it’s down to Golson and the receivers to pull out a victory. The latter option is not a trustworthy one.
Marchant: The X-factor for this game is cornerback Jalen Ramsey. He will be key in shutting down one half of the field versus Kaaya, not to mention his play-making ability in run support. Ramsey gave a legendary performance last year against the Hurricanes and FSU might need another one to extend the streak over Miami to six.
5. FSU Wins If…
Ferguson: Florida State will beat Miami on Saturday if Everett Golson can outplay Brad Kaaya. Kaaya was stellar early on against the Seminoles last season, but was slowed down dramatically in the second half. The FSU defense will need to pressure Kaaya on Saturday and get him out of a rhythm. Golson has taken care of the ball so far, but the senior will also need to find ways to make plays in the passing game or with his legs. An offensive effort akin to performances against Boston College will likely leave FSU with its first ACC loss in over three years.
Eiland: …the defensive line can rebound and sufficiently pressure Kaaya while also stifling Yearby. None of Miami’s opponents have near the defensive fronts that Florida State has, and a good performance from the line will be a rude awakening for the Hurricanes. Miami has relied on its ability to outscore opponents this year and preventing that could lead to a less competitive game than many think.
Marchant: Florida State will win if the offense doesn’t turn it over more than once and the defense can hold Miami to 20 points or less. If Miami scores more than that, it’s a toss-up. This game could easily go into overtime.
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