Introduction to the Rivalry
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Miami and Florida State have a history of crushing each others’ national title hopes. It’s a rivalry Miami coach Mario Cristobal has lived as a fan and player. He has a chance to experience it as a coach now too. “We always knew this as the best rivalry in football coming up,” said Cristobal, who won national titles with the Hurricanes in 1989 and 1991. “College football is the best sport in the world so the fact that people bring up historical moments and whatnot, it’s not surprising. I do think that our players, alumni bases, they all understand how intense this rivalry is.”
The Upcoming Matchup
No. 3 Miami (4-0) and No. 18 Florida State (3-1, 0-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) play Saturday night as AP Top 25-ranked teams for the first time since 2016. Miami has resume-building wins over Notre Dame and Florida and is looking to add Florida State to that list. Cristobal is a big believer that the College Football Playoff doesn’t start in December. In his eyes, conference games are playoff games, and he pointed out this week that league matchups seem to be tighter than many non-conference contests.
Conference Play as Playoff Football
“Conference play is basically playoff football. Everybody’s alive, everybody’s vying for a spot,” Cristobal said. “So the margins for error, the margins between winning and not winning, become smaller and smaller. … I think that’s the best part of college football at this time of year. You’re getting everybody’s best and you’re giving everybody your best.” Florida State is looking to rebound from a double-overtime loss at Virginia last Friday. The Seminoles know they can rebuild their resume, which includes a season-opening win over Alabama.
Rebounding and Building the Resume
“You’ll see a sold-out Doak Campbell Stadium, nighttime, prime time,” Florida State coach Mike Norvell said. “A wonderful stage to be able to show this team who we are, what we’re about, and the response that we’re going to have.” The Hurricanes are 4 1/2-point favorites, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. Miami quarterback Carson Beck, however, feels the Hurricanes will start the game trailing 7-0. The way he sees it, a good crowd is worth a touchdown.
Beck’s Perspective on the Game
“In all these loud stadiums and big-time matchups, I think you can see that throughout these first five weeks of college football,” Beck said. “But for us, if we just have elite communication, we can just kind of block that crowd out and just execute and do what we do.” Beck is 4-0 against Florida and Florida State. A win Saturday would make him the first quarterback since Brock Berlin to go 5-0 against the Gators and Seminoles. Berlin, who transferred to Miami from Florida, did that across the 2003 and 2004 seasons.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Running back Gavin Sawchuk (234 yards rushing) and quarterback Tommy Castellanos (217 yards rushing) lead Florida State’s ground attack, which ranks second in the FBS at 336.3 yards a game. Miami is tied for eighth in the FBS in rushing defense at 76.3 yards a game. This matchup will be a test of strength versus strength, with Florida State’s powerful running game facing off against Miami’s stout rushing defense.
Conclusion
The upcoming game between No. 3 Miami and No. 18 Florida State is a highly anticipated matchup with significant implications for the College Football Playoff. Both teams have a lot to prove, and the intensity of the rivalry will only add to the excitement. With strong performances on both sides, this game is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling of the season.
FAQs
- Q: What is the current ranking of Miami and Florida State?
A: No. 3 Miami and No. 18 Florida State. - Q: What is the significance of the game for the College Football Playoff?
A: A win for Miami would strengthen their playoff resume, while a win for Florida State would help them rebound and rebuild their resume. - Q: What is the predicted outcome of the game?
A: The Hurricanes are 4 1/2-point favorites, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. - Q: What is the historical context of the rivalry between Miami and Florida State?
A: The two teams have a history of crushing each other’s national title hopes, with Miami coach Mario Cristobal having experienced it as a fan and player. - Q: What is the key matchup to watch in the game?
A: The strength of Florida State’s ground attack versus the strength of Miami’s rushing defense.
