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This week when the fourth-ranked Seminoles host their in-state rival Miami Hurricanes, it will be the latest chapter in a storied history. The Seminoles are looking to keep climbing in their quest for a birth in the College Football Playoffs and the Hurricanes although already bowl-eligible at 6-3, looking to play spoiler and get a signature win for the program. Let's preview some keys for the Seminoles vs Hurricanes.
Broadcast Info:
Location: Tallahassee, FL @ Doak S. Campbell Stadium
Time: 3:30 pm Kickoff
Station: ABC
On the Call: Sean McDonough and Greg McElroy
Florida State Radio: 89.7FM
Miami Radio: AM 560 Sports WQAM
Players to Watch:
Quarterback - Jordan Travis and Tyler Van Dyke lead their teams respectively. And both have similar statistical profiles. With Travis, having thrown for more yardage (2,469) compared to Van Dyke (2,053). The differences lie with the turnovers, Travis has been very secure with the ball having only thrown two interceptions on the season while Van Dyke has struggled with 11 interceptions on the season. Travis has also shown more athletic ability to create opportunities with his legs rushing for an additional 256 yards and seven scores on the season. Edge - Seminoles. Jordan Travis has grown into a leader. His team knows that he has his back and they have his. Van Dyke has struggled through his time at the University of Miami. Struggling on Saturday could cause the coaching staff to make a change.
Wide Receivers - For the Seminoles, the duo of Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson have been putting together a great season they are the top two receivers for the team and have worked well together to elevate each other's game. Although they were injured and did not play the last game, both should be good to go for Saturday. For the Hurricanes, Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George have been leading the way as the go-to targets for Van Dyke and the Hurricanes offense. All four are solid route runners and have been able to show their body control. Edge - Seminoles. This may be a personal preference, but the bigger wide receivers in Coleman and Wilson can create more mismatches for the defense and be better targets in and out of the red zone.
Defense - Which teams can minimize the opposing team's offense effectiveness the best? For the Seminoles, there are standouts at every level. From Jared Verse and Braden Fiske on the defensive line to the linebacker group of DJ Lundy, Tatum Bethune, and Kalen DeLoach to the secondary of Renardo Green, and Jarrian Jones. For the Hurricanes, Rueben Bain Jr. and Leonard Taylor III have done a good job creating pressure and disrupting the opponent's offense. Francisco Mauigoa has done well in tackling and against the run from the middle linebacker spot. Edge - Seminoles defense. While both teams have a solid defense, the Seminoles have been the top defense in the ACC and the offensive line for the Hurricanes has a lot of new faces.
Intangibles - First and foremost, this is a rivalry game. These two teams are often comprised of players who know each other well and in some cases grown up playing football together. Coaching and the crowd all feed into the game. Coach Norvell has done a great job in rebuilding the Seminoles program. Coach Cristobal and his staff are still looking for their footing as they bring the program up. Edge - Seminoles. Coach Norvell has ignored the critics when he had struggles early in his time in Tallahassee and has brought the program back to relevance. He's also in the conversation to be the Coach of the Year.
Prediction: Seminoles
The Seminoles have been consistent in their winning ways as they keep climbing toward the College Football Playoffs and the Hurricanes are improved from a season ago. All that being said, the Seminoles prove too much for the Hurricanes in Tallahassee. The Seminoles' returning receivers and the offense will look to silence doubters with a statement win over their in-state foes. Seminoles by three scores to move to 10-0.
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