Florida State Seminoles at Miami (FL) Hurricanes Betting Preview

The Florida State Seminoles will have their fourth different head coach on the sidelines over the last seven games coming into their rivalry game with the Miami Hurricanes on Saturday night. Willie Taggart was fired after FSU’s home loss to Miami last year, and he was replaced by long-time assistant Odell Haggins for the final four games of the season. Mike Norvell was hired as Taggart’s replacement, but he contracted COVID-19 and is recuperating, leaving Chris Thomsen as the acting head coach while Norvell is out.

All that turmoil at the top doesn’t bode well for the Seminoles. They are a double-digit underdog per the college football betting odds against the Hurricanes. This rivalry game will be the marquee tilt this weekend, and it will be broadcast on ABC at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, September 26.

College Football Betting Odds

Florida State +11

Miami (FL) -11

Total 54

FSU won seven straight games against Miami at the start of the decade and seemed set to take the all-time lead in the series. The Hurricanes finally broke the losing streak in 2017, and they haven’t looked back since that point. Their 27-10 victory over the Seminoles last year was their largest margin of victory in this series since 2001.

Miami Offense vs. FSU Defense

D’Eriq King has looked sharp through Miami’s first two games of the season. Quarterback play has held the Hurricanes back for a long time, but they may have finally found a star in King. He was one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy in the preseason by the CFB futures odds, as he was phenomenal with Houston during the 2018 campaign. King has completed 63 percent of his passes while averaging 8.7 YPA with four touchdowns and no turnovers, and he has run for 4.6 YPC.

This ground game has had a lot of success despite playing two solid defenses in UAB and Louisville. Miami is averaging 6.1 YPC, and Cam’Ron Harris has been a home run hitter. Harris has posted a run of at least 65 yards in both games, and he is averaging 10.3 YPC.

Tight end Brevin Jordan is the biggest threat in the passing game. He is averaging 17.1 yards per reception, and he is the only player on the Hurricanes with more than 100 receiving yards on the season. Miami has speedy threats on the outside, but they lack polish and need to develop their route running to have more of an impact.

FSU’s defense wasn’t bad in the opener against Georgia Tech, and it seems like the Seminoles have good news on the injury front. Although programs are being more tight lipped about their injury issues, it appears that Hamsah Nasirildeen will be available and Joshua Kaindoh may play too. Kaindoh’s injury was feared to be of the season-ending variety, but the Seminoles received great news on that front. That would be a huge boost, as Miami will likely double Marvin Wilson often if Kaindoh can’t play.

FSU Offense vs. Miami Defense

James Blackman was not great against Georgia Tech in the season opener. He completed just 53.5 percent of his passes and averaged 4.6 YPA, but he didn’t have much help. The offensive line is once again a disaster, and he was constantly under pressure, while Warren Thompson and Tamorrion Terry both dropped passes.

That could lead to FSU playing another quarterback for a series or two on Saturday night. Jordan Travis should see some action as he is a great runner, and blue-chip recruit Chubba Purdy could be in line for some action too.

FSU’s ground game did nothing against Georgia Tech, averaging 3.1 YPC. The Seminoles miss Cam Akers, but the main issue is once again the offensive line. Fortunately, there is some talent at receiver, as Terry is a future NFL draft pick.

The Hurricanes have one of the best defenses in the country. They are currently 16^th in Bill Connelly’s SP+, but they gave up over 500 yards to Louisville last Saturday night. Miami can’t do that against FSU, and they shouldn’t as this offense is in some disarray.

Prediction

This could get ugly for the Seminoles. The line has been rising all week, but the best bet might be Miami in the second half. We’ve seen FSU catch opponents off guard in the first half with schemes and adjustments, but their deficiencies are exposed after halftime.

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