FSU football: Miami Hurricane preview and prediction

FSU football will look to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2019 when they travel to play the Miami Hurricanes Saturday night.

The Noles got off to a sloppy start against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets last week before rolling to a 41-16 win.

Miami has limped to 4-4 against one of the easiest schedules in college football. Their offense has been anemic of late, but they have a solid defensive line and leaky secondary.

How will Miami’s DC Kevin Steele look to defend the Noles?

FSU football coaches have done a solid job of taking what the defense will allow this year, but their success Saturday will depend on taking care of the ball.

FSU’s strength is a balanced attack, predicated on establishing the run game, and Miami can be run on despite what the stats say because they have only played one good offense in North Carolina.

North Carolina’s running back averaged 5.7 ypc, but FSU could have its three-headed monster back with Treshaun Ward back in the lineup after missing the last two games with a shoulder injury. Well, make that  a four-headed monster, because Jordan Travis will likely assert himself in the run game.

It’s going to be a pick-your-poison game for Miami. If they load up to stop the run, FSU could gash them in the passing game. If Miami chooses not to bring a safety down in the box, FSU could gash them on the ground.

I think FSU will prefer the latter early, forcing Miami to bring a defender down before hitting them in the head with the passing game.

Miami’s offense has been putrid, even with Tyler Van Dyke. It could be a combination of Jake Garcia dinking and dunking and Jacurri Brown attempting to use his legs in certain situations. Either way, I don’t expect much from this Miami offense and FSU should hold them below 5.0 ypp. FSU’s defensive line should have their way with Miami’s patchwork offering, not to mention they haven’t run the ball well this year. If Van Dyke does play, he hasn’t played in a couple of weeks and likely won’t be sharp, but they do have their best wide receiver returning.

If FSU football doesn’t turn the ball over, they’ll beat Miami by double digits, but turning the ball over is something the FSU offense has a propensity to do. I expect that to aid Miami’s offense enough to get into the teens and possibly low 20s.

However, I expect the FSU football to eventually pull away, and win the game comfortably. I don’t see how Miami can win this unless FSU turns the ball over repeatedly. My prediction is the Noles will win 38-20.