Preview: #23 Florida St. @ #13 Miami

Jacoby Harris needs to hold on to the ball

One of college football's biggest rivalries continues this Saturday when the #13 Miami Hurricanes (3-1, 1-0) host the #23 Florida St.  Seminoles (4-1, 2-0) in a crucial Atlantic Division ACC football game.  The Canes have held the advantage recently, winning eight of the past 11 meetings between the two schools. Miami returns home for the first time since their opener against Florida A&M. The Canes have picked up impressive wins over former Big East rival Pittsburgh and Clemson. They are led by senior quarterback Jacoby Harris who has struggled at times this year with turnovers. Harris, who threw 17 interceptions last year, has already found the wrong team seven times this year. Harris protecting the ball will be a key for the Hurricanes against a swarming Florida St. defense.  Miami needs to get the ball into the hands of their go to wide receiver Leonard Hankerson. Hankerson has big play potential, and found the end zone three times against Clemson in their ACC opener.

The Seminoles enter Saturday's contest with two ACC wins under their belt. Last weekend in Charlottesville, Florida St. demolished a weak Virginia squad 34-14. In their two ACC wins, Florida St. has outscored their opponents 65-14. Seminoles quarterback Christian Ponder has been playing with a chip on his shoulder, and has thrown for over 600 yards with 4 scores in his past three games. More importantly, Ponder has not turned the ball over. Ponder's play has helped open up the Seminoles run game. Ranked 26th in the nation, the Seminoles are led by two backs, Jermaine Thomas and Ty Jones. Both backs are averaging well over six yards per carry. The key to the Seminoles success will be their defense, which ranks 21 in the nation in points per game. They will need to slow down a potent Miami passing attack that will be looking for big plays through the air.

Can Jimbo Fisher lead the Seminoles to an ACC title?

Keys to the Game:


Miami: Miami's pass protection is going to be a key. Florida State leads all of college football in total sacks, and it is not even close. The Seminoles have wrapped up the quarterback 25 times, seven more than second place. Harris needs to deal with the pressure and make smart throws.


Florida St: Miami's key's directly relate to the Seminoles. Florida St. has to get pressure on Harris so that he cannot sit in the pocket and easily find wide receivers.  It's also important for the Seminoles to establish and run game early to take the pressure off of Chrstian Ponder.

Prediction: Wide Right again? It won't be an issue as Miami should have this game in control. Jumbo Fisher looses his first Miami-Florida St. showdown.

#13 Miami 27 #24 Florida St. 13