The State Rivalry Continues: Florida State at No. 3 Miami

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It is
arguably one of the best rivalries in college football. The Florida State Seminoles
(3-3) and the Miami Hurricanes (5-0) face off on Saturday night in Miami
Gardens, Florida. The Hurricanes have defeated the Seminoles the last two times
they have met, and have won six of the last 10 meetings.

Florida
State has the dubious distinction of having lost 11 consecutive road games,
coming off a 44-20 defeat at Louisville last week.

Broadcast
Information

Date:
Saturday, October 17,
2026

Time: 7:00 p.m. ET

Location:
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
Gardens, Florida

TV:
ESPN

Betting
Odds: Miami -21.5-point
favorite

Florida
State Seminoles

The
Seminoles have not experienced the thrill of victory on the road, with losses
at Alabama (50-36) and Louisville. In both of those games, Florida State had a
substantial lead. But the Seminoles defense suffered epic collapses and could
not recover.

Players
to Watch

  • Quarterback
    Ashton Daniels: 18 total touchdowns, seven interceptions
  • Running
    Back Ousmane Kromah: 565 yards (2nd in the ACC), five touchdowns
  • Linebacker
    Chris Jones: 37 tackles, four tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, six QB hurries

Miami
Hurricanes

The
Hurricanes are 28-6 over their last 34 games, with three different starting
quarterbacks. Miami was the national runner-up last season after posting a 13-3
record. Through five games, Miami has played dominant and winning football.

Players
to Watch

  • QB Darian
    Mensah: 1,438 passing yards, 15 passing TDs, 0 INTs, 84 percent completion
    percentage
  • WR Malachi
    Toney: 39 catches, 604 yards, six TDs, 120 receiving yards/game
  • DL
    Marquise Lightfoot: 19 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, one forced
    fumble

Miami is
No. 1 in the country in total offense (554 yards/game) and scoring offense (49
points/game). They also are ranked No. 1 in rushing defense (42 yards/game).

The Hurricanes have not
allowed an opponent to rush for over 100 yards this season. Further, they have allowed only
one rushing touchdown and less than two yards per carry.

RB Mark
Fletcher Jr. is a veteran of this rivalry game. This will be his fourth matchup
against the Seminoles. He has gained 158 yards rushing and one touchdown in the
previous three meetings.

Florida
State will win if…

The
Seminoles can win if they put together a complete game for entire 60 minutes. A
repeat performance of the Virginia game would be nice: 10 sacks and 12 tackles
for loss in a 38-7 victory.

A balanced attack is needed. Take the punches in
the mouth and keep on coming. They have to answer Miami and not play from
behind.

Miami
will win if…

The Mensah
to Toney quarterback/receiver duo is the best in college football. Toney has
caught a touchdown pass in four of the five games played. Miami has a lot of
firepower on offense and a lot of stopping power on defense.

During the
years of Bobby Bowden, and later Jimbo Fisher, this game was a war. And it was played on scorched earth. However, over the last decade, it has been relatively one-sided. 

 

 

 

 

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