Florida State safety ready for a 'bloodbath' against Miami on Saturday

If FSU starting safety Earl Little Jr. has his way, Saturday's FSU-Miami clash will look more like the 1990s than the potential track meet that many fans are planning to see.

Little, whose father Earl. Sr. played for the Miami Hurricanes from 1994-1996, understands the history and passion behind the rivalry. Back in the 1980s and 1990s, when FSU and Miami took the field together, it was a clash of speed and physicality that got everyone's attention.

"I'm telling my guys every day that it's going to be a bloodbath," Little said. "That's the type of game it's going to be Saturday, so whatever we've got to do to put ourselves in position to win, you know throughout the week, that's what we're going to do."

Both teams want to be physical and FSU's defense is going to be tested after they struggled with Virginia's power run game last week. Miami has a big offensive line and when the Seminoles play a 3-man front they will be asking a lot of the linebackers and safeties like Little to meet running backs in the hole and fight off Miami's guards as they try to get to the second level.

"We know that's the type of game it's going to be. It's all going to boil down to physicality and who wants it more," Little added.

For Little, a Miami resident that played high school football in Broward County, these games mean even more because of the bragging rights that come with them. He is one of a host of FSU players from the Miami area that have represented the Seminoles over the years. Players like Marvin Jones, Marvin Minnis, Lamarcus Joyner, Dalvin Cook and many others. 

"It means a whole lot. My father played for the U. I'm from down there, and I kinda know everybody down there," Little added. "I took my talents up here, and it's like the whole down south is against me. It's a big game for me and this program as well. I'm truly blessed to be part of something like this."