Key Matchups of the Week: Florida State at Miami

It’s rivalry week for the Florida State Seminoles as they put together to tackle the Miami Hurricanes. They appear to construct off a dominating win over Georgia Tech and with a 5-3 file, bowl eligibility is on the road. Miami enters this sport with a 4-4 file and regardless that the Hurricanes received their final sport in time beyond regulation towards Virginia, many would contemplate the season a disappointment up to now. 

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Listed here are three keys to the sport this weekend that will probably be crucial in figuring out the result.

1. FSU Inside Offensive Line vs. Miami Inside Defensive Line

The Seminoles inside offensive line has been constant this season. Heart Maurice Smith, guards Dillan Gibbons and D’Mitri Emmanuel have been wholesome and performing nicely however face a powerful take a look at this week. The Hurricanes’ inside defensive position has additionally carried out nicely this season and they’ll look to wreak havoc up entrance, led by defensive linemen Leonard Taylor, who has three sacks and eight tackles for loss up to now this yr. 

Darrell Jackson and Jared Harrison-Hunte have additionally been constant contributors to the Hurricane defensive entrance. This matchup will probably be key within the passing sport and the working sport. Creating holes for the working backs to run by way of between the tackles but additionally ensuring quarterback Jordan Travis has a clear pocket when throwing the ball. Preserve an eye fixed out for the inside battle that will probably be happening within the trenches Saturday.

2. Penalties

The Seminoles as a staff have improved this season concerning committing penalties. It’s one thing we’ve seen FSU wrestle with for years. Whereas there have been enhancements, a number of the pre-snap penalties have began to creep up once more currently. Within the loss to Clemson, the staff solely dedicated three penalties however towards Wake Forest, there have been 11 flags thrown towards the ‘Noles, ten penalties towards NC State, and this previous weekend the staff was flagged 13 occasions. 

That is an space we have to see the staff tighten up on each side of the ball. If FSU can play a clear sport and lower out the self-inflicted wounds, that may significantly enhance the prospect of a win in Coral Gables.

3. Miami Extensive Receivers vs. FSU Defensive Backs

Coming into the season the Florida State secondary was seen as a power. Because the season has progressed it’s arguably been essentially the most inconsistent group on the protection. Whereas safeties Jammie Robinson and Akeem Dent have had stable seasons, the corners haven’t lived as much as expectations. This week they may face a Miami receiving core that options Frank Ladson Jr, Colbie Younger, Brashard Smith, and slot receiver Xavier Restrepo is predicted to return from harm. We don’t know who will probably be throwing them the ball fairly but, however FSU has struggled with huge bodily receivers. It’s crucial for corners Renardo Inexperienced, Jarrian Jones, Omarion Cooper, and Kevin Knowles to play a stable sport and pressure Miami QBs to make powerful passes. 

WR Colbie Younger hasn’t performed a lot this season however in his 4 video games performed, he reached the century mark in half of them. Together with his 6’5 body, I count on the Hurricanes to place him in leap ball conditions and take a look at out this Seminoles secondary, fairly frankly a unit that hasn’t made many performs on the ball up to now this yr. Additionally, tight-end Will Mallory isn’t a receiver, however he’s the main go catcher for Miami, and he will probably be focused usually. I count on Jammie Robinson, linebackers Tatum Bethune and Kalen DeLoach to be tasked with matching up with him all through the sport.

When Miami and Florida State match up it’s going to all the time garner nationwide consideration irrespective of the state of the packages. Probably the greatest rivalries in school sports activities will add one other iteration to the historical past books once more this Saturday. 

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