FSU football head coach Mike Norvell talks Miami preparation, Monday practice
FSU football head coach Mike Norvell talks Miami preparation, Monday practice
Heading into Florida State football’s season. the rivalry showdown against the Miami Hurricanes would’ve been one of the top games to watch this year.
It hasn’t turned out that way.
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FSU is coming off its third straight loss last Friday against Duke, which dropped the Seminoles to 1-6 for the first time since 1975. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes remain undefeated (7-0) and ranked No. 5 in the US LBM Coaches Poll.
While the teams are heading in opposite directions, there’s plenty at stake in this ACC showdown at Hard Rock Stadium at 7 p.m. Saturday on ESPN.
TOM D’ANGELO: Miami saving state of Florida football from total embarrassment
For the third consecutive week, the Hurricanes survived another ACC shootout in Saturday’s victory over Louisville and are 7-0 for the first time since 2017.
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UM head coach Mario Cristobal, who experienced the rivalry as a former offensive lineman for the Hurricanes, does not care about the win-loss column. He also does not let FSU’s losing record define its talent level.
“I could say, as a player, we never looked at the record of anyone who we were playing,” Cristobal said to the press.
“Whatever the record of any team is in this rivalry, you’re going to get the best version of them, and they’re going to get the best version of you. And that’s what makes the game so incredibly intense and physical, and that’s why so many guys come here to play in that game.”
More: FSU football’s offense needs a change at Miami. Here’s what Mike Norvell must do
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What is Mario Cristobal’s gameplan against FSU football
During his press conference, Cristobal pointed out FSU’s defensive front and secondary. The defense has kept the Seminoles in games in the last two weeks.
Against Clemson, after giving away 17 points in the first quarter, the Seminoles kept the Tigers out of the end zone.
Last week against Duke, The Seminoles only allowed `180 yards of total offense and one touchdown. Cristobal expects the defense to be a challenge.
“They’re about as talented in most of the key positions in the front seven as you’ll see, and the secondary is big, long, they’re fast,” Cristobal said. “They play band coverage as good as anyone that we’ve seen. They mix it up pretty well as well. They got a wide variety of pressure and stunt packages that go with it. “
Miami has the No. 1 ranked total offense, with an average of 577.3 yards a game, and the No. 2 ranked scoring, with an average of 48.3 points a game.
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Cristobal is focused on FSU’s offensive line, which has underperformed all year due to a mixture of injuries, lineup changes, and pass protection. However, he pointed out the size and physicality of the O-line that his defense will have to focus on.
“And then I think their offensive line, I know they might have had a guy hurt or two, but they’re another group that’s really big,” Cristobal said.
“A highly recruited class that is really strong and powerful, and has had some really, really strong moments. And again, all I see is I see a really good football team and looking forward to a great game.”
More: FSU football’s Marvin Jones Jr. knows about Miami rivalry. Look who’s he related to
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How to watch FSU vs. Miami game
Date: Saturday, Oct. 26
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
TV: ESPN
FSU football schedule 2024: TV channels, dates and start times
Saturday, Aug. 24: vs. Georgia Tech* (Aer Lingus College Football Classic) Lost 24-21
Monday, Sept. 2: vs. Boston College* | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo) Lost 28-13
Saturday, Sept. 7: Bye
Saturday, Sept. 14: vs. Memphis | Noon | ESPN (Fubo) Lost 20-12
Saturday, Sept. 21: vs. Cal* | 7 p.m.| ESPN2 (Fubo) Won 14-9
Saturday, Sept. 28: at No. 22 SMU* | 8 p.m. EST | ACC Network Lost 42-16
Saturday, Oct. 5: vs. No. 9 Clemson* | 7 p.m.| ESPN (Fubo) Lost 29-13
Saturday, Oct. 12: Bye
Friday, Oct. 18: at Duke* | 7 p.m. | ESPN2 (Fubo) Lost 23-16
MIAMI (WSVN) – A 21-year-old man was arrested on a charge of sexual battery on a minor by an adult and lewd or lascivious molestation stemming from an alleged incident involving a 10-year-old girl, according to an arrest report.
According to the report, Alvin Davis was arrested due in connection from an alleged incident that occurred Oct. 16, 2025, in Miami. The child’s mother, who became suspicious and placed a recording device in the child’s bedroom.
The report states the girl told investigators that Davis touched her inappropriately on multiple occasions.
Authorities said Davis was transported to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center and is being held without bond.
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Former Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson is expected to be a late first-round draft pick on Thursday night, which will bring him a guaranteed four-year contract worth around $20 million. But he considered turning that down for a big-money offer to stay in college.
Simpson, who has previously said that Miami offered him $6.5 million to transfer and play for the Hurricanes in 2026, said on David Pollack’s podcast that the money was too good not to at least think about.
“I think the last offer was definitely one that I just had to sit down and consider, because it would have been life-changing money,” Simpson said. “It would have made me the highest-paid player in college, and it was something to where I was like, I can’t just ignore this. I have to sit down and think about it. That’s how I am, I don’t want to do anything sporadic. I want to sit down and think it all out, and it really just came down to how I wanted to be remembered and what do I want to do.”
Simpson, who spent three years as a backup at Alabama before becoming the starter last year, went to his former coach, Nick Saban, for advice.
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“I actually talked to Coach Saban about this,” Simpson said. “The things he was talking about were, do you want to play football in college, or do you want to play football professionally? And he was like, ‘Take the money out of it, take the rounds out of it, what do you want to do next year?’ And without a doubt, without hesitation, I said, ‘I want to play professional football.’ And he was like, ‘Well, there’s your answer.’ It was something that I’ve always dreamed of, and I felt that I was ready to take that next step and be the face of a franchise and lead a locker room.”
It’s a different world in football now that players might make more money with another year in college than their annual average salary will be in the NFL. Now, players have to think about whether the NCAA or the NFL will be more lucrative. NIL deals have changed both college football and pro football.
Photo Credit: @CanesFootball via X // redshirt senior wideout Cooper Barkate catches a 29-yard touchdown from Darian Mensah during Miami’s Spring Game on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at Cobb Stadium.
After more than three months removed from a devastating national championship loss, over 5,000 fans gathered at Cobb Stadium on Saturday morning for a first look at Miami football’s 2026 squad.
The annual spring game offered exactly that: a mix of evaluation and entertainment. Miami structured the day differently this year, using the first half for position drills, including passing, red zone and agility work, before transitioning into a live scrimmage in the second half.
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Much of the attention centered on new quarterback Darian Mensah, a transfer from Duke. While he started slow, Mensah quickly settled in and showed why he’s expected to lead the Hurricanes this fall.
Mensah connected multiple times with familiar target Cooper Barkate, his former teammate at Duke. The duo picked up right where they left off, highlighted by a 29-yard touchdown to the back corner of the end zone. Mensah added a 33-yard touchdown pass to Daylyn Upshaw and a five-yard score to Cam Vaughn, another transfer addition.
Calm in the pocket and effective under pressure, Mensah extended plays and delivered accurate throws, flashing the kind of playmaking ability Miami fans have been eager to see.
With several returning starters such as wide receiver Malachi Toney and running back Mark Fletcher seeing limited action, opportunities opened for younger players to contribute. RB Jordan Lyle capitalized, breaking off multiple strong runs and showing quick footwork in the open field.
Behind Mensah, Miami showcased its quarterback depth. Judd Anderson, Luke Nickel and early enrollee Dereon Coleman all saw snaps, with Nickel making a strong case for the backup role. Coleman flashed potential but remains a longer-term development piece.
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Photo Credit: @CanesFootball via IG // Miami quarterback Darian Mensah performs handshake with redshirt senior wideout Cooper Barkate during Miami’s Spring Game on April 18, 2026, at Cobb Stadium.
Defensively, Miami may have delivered the most impressive performance of the day.
Despite losing key contributors such as Ruben Bain and Akheem Mesidor to the NFL, the Hurricanes controlled the line of scrimmage and limited offensive production. Defensive lineman Damon Wilson, a transfer from Missouri, along with tackles Justin Scott and Jarquez Carter, consistently disrupted plays. Scott’s quickness stood out against the run, while Wilson applied steady pressure off the edge.
In the secondary, Boston College transfer Omar Thornton, along with JJ Dunnigan and Xavier Lucas, contributed to multiple stops with tight coverage and physical tackling.
The offensive line, featuring several new faces and only one returning starter, showed flashes but remains a work in progress. Freshman Jackson Cantwell has big shoes to fill with Sisi Mauigoa declaring for the NFL draft. At 6-foot-8, 330 pounds, Cantwell acted as a brick wall protecting his QB and winning the battle at the line. However, the second team offensive line had some struggles, with two bad snaps in a row.
For many in attendance, however, the spring game was about more than just performance. It served as a rare opportunity for families and fans to connect with the program in a more personal setting, celebrating players beyond what they show on the field.
“It’s him fulfilling his dream and doing what he wants to do,” said the grandmother of wide receiver Milan Parris. “He’s my oldest grandson, and I’m just over the moon. I’m extremely proud of him.”
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While the defense may have controlled much of the action, the day ultimately served as an early glimpse into a team balancing new talent, developing depth and high expectations.
With nearly five months until the season opener against Stanford on Sept. 4, Miami leaves the spring with promise and plenty to still refine.