CFB Preview: Florida State at Miami

KICKOFF: Saturday, 8 p.m. ET
GAMEDATE: 11/15/14
SITE: Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
TV: ABC
SERIES: Miami leads the series with Florida State 31-26 but the Seminoles have won the last four meetings, including last year by a 41-14 count. The Hurricanes have never beaten the Seminoles in Sun Life Stadium since moving their home games there in 2008.
RANKINGS: Florida State, 3rd

KEYS TO THE GAME

Before the college football season began, oddsmakers set a spread of nearly three touchdowns for reigning national champ Florida State’s game at Miami — a team that closed last season by losing four of its final six contests.

Oh, how things have changed.

The Seminoles are still unbeaten at this juncture, but they’re far less dominant than a year ago, and their penchant for tight wins and improbable comebacks have shifted the national opinion on how good this FSU team actually is.

That has dropped their status in the eyes of oddsmakers who have made them less than two-point favorites over the Hurricanes.

FSU coach Jimbo Fisher, however, doesn’t think either team should be a favorite in a rivalry like this one.
“That’s one of the reasons you come to Florida State is to play in this great rivalry, one of the most traditional rivalries in all of college football,” Fisher said. “A lot of great tradition, a lot of great history. They’re playing very well right now, probably playing the best ball they’ve played by far.”
Miami comes into the game having handed Duke its only setback of the year and won its last three games in dominating fashion but are still searching for what is popularly termed a program-building “signature win.”
They are 0-2 against top 10-ranked opponents in four years under coach Al Golden, losing to Notre Dame in 2012 and Florida State last year, and both by big scores — 41-3 and 41-14, respectively.

Their last win over top 10 foe was in 2009 when Oklahoma came to Miami ranked No. 8 but without injured starting quarterback Sam Bradford. The Hurricanes edged the Sooners 21-20.
“Obviously, no introduction needed here for this opponent, for this game,” said Golden said, who is looking for his first win over the Seminoles. “It’s something our guys are excited about.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Seminoles

–QB Jameis Winston took eight tough hits against Virginia in the win, and he was seen limping off the field after several series for the second straight game. Coach Jimbo Fisher said this week Winston wouldn’t be limited in practice.

–WR Rashad Greene leads the ACC in receptions (71) and receiving yards (989) this season. He is 11 yards shy of joining Ron Sellers (1967-68) as the only Seminole receivers with multiple 1,000-yard seasons, and he’s closing in the all-time yards record held by Sellers.

–DE Mario Edwards Jr. came off the line last week and rushed from everywhere on the field while standing up. That resulted in a team-high nine tackles, four for a loss and one sack.

–DT Eddie Goldman didn’t start the season this high on the big board listing NFL prospects but game after game this year he has been a game-changer. Goldman leads the team in sacks with four and he’s second on the team with 7.5 tackles for loss.

Hurricanes

–RB Duke Johnson has rushed for 844 yards over his last five games. The junior had a career-high 249 yards rushing against Virginia Tech and a career-long 90-yard touchdown run against North Carolina, tying the school record for longest rush set by Jack Losch against Bucknell in 1955.

–TE Clive Walford caught two touchdown passes in the win over North Carolina, giving him a team-best six scoring receptions. He also leads the team in receptions with 29.

–LB Denzel Perryman is the leader of the revived defense. He has 72 tackles with 51 of them solo stops, both team highs, to go with an interception and four pass break-ups.

–LB Thurston Armbrister could play a key role against Florida State and QB Jameis Winston. Armbrister leads the Hurricanes in sacks with five.