See different Predictions below: Florida State Seminoles vs. Miami Hurricanes

Our staff offers their forecasts and analysis as the Seminoles attempt to defeat the Hurricanes for the third time in a row.

their calendars. There aren’t many rivalries in the nation as intense as the one that exists between the Seminoles and Hurricanes.

This millennium, it has been difficult for one team to distinguish itself from the other. Despite Miami winning six straight from 2000–04 and Florida State winning seven straight from 2010–16, the Seminoles and Hurricanes are 12–12 since 2000.

The last two meetings have favored FSU. After a game-winning drive that included a huge catch by Ja’Khi Douglas, a fourth and 14 conversion to Andrew Parchment, and a rushing touchdown and two-point conversion by quarterback Jordan Travis, the Seminoles mounted a comeback in 2021. The previous season, head coach Mike Norvell led his team to a 45-3 victory in Miami Gardens, so it wasn’t close.

Games between rivals are never easy to predict. Having said that, the Hurricanes have a poor road record and may have to start a true freshman if Tyler Van Dyke is unable to play. Given that Miami has four running backs with more than 250 rushing yards, the Seminoles’ ability to stop the ‘Canes on the ground will likely determine the outcome of this game.

Given that Florida State has occasionally started games slowly, I anticipate that this one will be close for the most of the first half. Still, the depth of the Seminoles and Jordan Travis’s ability to create plays will cause them to win. In addition to my prediction that FSU will triumph, I believe Travis will record 100 touchdowns in his collegiate career.

Miami will need to start scoring goals, and going into this game, I have zero faith in Tyler Van Dyke’s health. On offense, it feels a lot like the Hurricanes’ game from the previous year, albeit with a stronger running game.

I think the seasoned linebacker room at FSU will take care of them. Having Johnny Wilson back will certainly help the offense against a strong Miami safety unit and young, skilled pass rusher Rueben Bain. It’s the 10th victory for the Seminoles this season.

Season Prediction Record for 2023: 6-0

Hurricanes 10, Seminoles 34

 

Ever since the Pitt game, I’ve had a strong suspicion that Florida State would win this match. Aside from the UNC game, Miami’s offense has been virtually nonexistent in ACC play, and Tyler Van Dyke has been, to put it mildly, awful. Even if they choose to switch quarterbacks, it would mean giving Doak Campbell, a true freshman, his second career start, which is a difficult request.

Rueben Bain is a pass rusher that FSU will have to contain, and Miami’s Kamren Kinchens can always make a big play in the secondary, but the Hurricanes haven’t demonstrated enough offensive fire recently to give me hope that they can win the game from start to finish. The ‘Noles seem to roll by.

I’ll tell you a story now. This is the story of two teams that are divided by more than just distance. The swagger was brought by the University of Miami. In the 1980s, they dominated college football and made it clear that they were superior to any team that stood in their way. But that supremacy carried over directly into the Florida State programs of the 1990s. The Seminoles, guided by the late Bobby Bowden, scaled the pinnacle of the college football landscape and appeared to remain there for an extended period of time. The ‘Canes eventually made a comeback to the top in the early 2000s, and the ‘Noles briefly enjoyed national prominence in the early 2010s. A special blend of pure hatred and championship blood flows through.

The Seminoles have fought their way back from the brink of defeat under head coach Mike Norvell. The team that was only 3–0 now has a 9–0 record, a conference championship berth secured, and a #4 CFP ranking. The ‘Noles are aiming for a deep postseason run with just one conference opponent left on the schedule. Their fierce southern rival, however, stands in their way. The Miami Hurricanes (6-3, 2-3 ACC) have only won two of their previous five games, both of which were thrilling overtime victories. They recently suffered a disheartening defeat at the hands of NC State. The Canes are a team in search of a persona, but they would give anything to adopt the personal.

Last week’s game against Pittsburgh revealed signs of struggle for Florida State. Though the ‘Noles’ offense was missing some of its most important players in the receiving game, they had to grind their way to 24 points in the afternoon. Their passing attack, which ranks 19th in the nation with an average of 293.9 yards per game, is unquestionably their strongest suit. It has helped the Seminoles score 39.6 points per game, which is ninth best in the country. Be careful if Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson are back in the Seminoles starting lineup. Recent assessments of Florida State’s run game have been dismal, which could be problematic. With 89.2 rushing yards allowed, Miami is currently the ninth-best team in the nation when it comes to run defense.

Florida State should have little to no trouble against the Hurricanes on Saturday if they perform to their full capacity. There is more bark than bite on this University of Miami squad. Although they have a 6-3 record, consider some of the teams they faced in the first half of their schedule: Bethune Cookman, Temple, and Miami (OH). Although the Seminoles have seen more action in the field, are they less worn out? Have they already been beaten and bruised by their arduous season? According to ESPN’s FPI, FSU has an 85% chance of winning, while Vegas has the ‘Noles up by two touchdowns (-14). Right now, every statistic suggests that the Seminoles will be able to successfully defend their home field. But as I previously mentioned, these two programs consistently appear.

Miami lost the game the year before after giving up a 4th & 14 and being embarrassed the year before. With two years of rivalry accrued, they will be seeking retribution this time around (FSU’s high ranking being the icing on the cake). Conversely, Florida State is displaying an unparalleled degree of tenacity in their quest for a postseason berth as they aim to finish the season with victories. That goal doesn’t, in my opinion, expire on Saturday. A goldfish and a sold-out home crowd will fuel the Seminoles’ determination to make a statement against their fierce rival. When it counts, Miami might stick around for a quarter or so, but the ‘Noles will pull away.