What Florida State Can Learn From Indiana’s Blueprint to Beat Miami
There’s no love lost between Florida State and Miami. So when the Hurricanes came up short in the National Championship, you can bet there were some quiet celebrations in Tallahassee.
But if the Seminoles are serious about reclaiming national relevance-and surpassing their longtime rivals-it’s not enough to cheer from the sidelines. It’s time to take notes.
Indiana just showed the college football world how to take down a surging Miami team. And for Florida State, that win should serve as more than just entertainment-it should be a roadmap. Here’s how the Seminoles can apply key lessons from Indiana’s upset and put themselves in position to leapfrog the ‘Canes in 2026 and beyond.
1. Control Florida’s Recruiting-and the Portal
Let’s start with the basics: Florida State has to own its backyard. The Sunshine State is a talent goldmine, and the top 20 prospects in Florida need to feel like FSU is home base. That hasn’t always been the case lately.
Take Jamarin Simmons, a four-star out of Tallahassee. He’s being courted by programs outside of Florida State’s orbit.
That should never happen-not when the kid is in your own city. Meanwhile, Miami is locking in elite in-state talent like true freshman Malachi Toney and defensive force Rueben Bain, who stayed put despite portal temptations.
Mike Norvell and his staff need to double down-not just on high school recruiting but on bringing Florida-grown talent back through the transfer portal. There are former four- and five-stars out there who left home for opportunity. Now’s the time to bring them back and sell them on building something special in Tallahassee.
2. Target Players Who Know What Winning Looks Like
Indiana didn’t just grab any portal talent-they went after guys who’ve played in big games and won at a high level. That’s the model FSU needs to follow.
Look at Notre Dame transfer Karson Hobbs. He comes in with experience on the biggest stage, having played in last season’s national title game. CJ Richard brought championship pedigree from the FCS level, and Rylan Kennedy had a taste of the College Football Playoff with Texas A&M.
These aren’t just solid players-they’re competitors who understand the grind of a title run. That’s the kind of DNA Florida State needs in its locker room.
It’s not just about talent; it’s about mindset. The Seminoles should prioritize portal additions who’ve been in the fire-conference title games, playoff battles, national spotlight moments.
That experience is invaluable when you’re trying to build a championship culture.
3. Win in the Trenches-Period
Indiana didn’t beat Miami with smoke and mirrors. They won in the trenches. That’s where games are decided, and that’s where Florida State has to get better.
Miami’s strength all year was its dominance on both lines. But Indiana found a way to wear them down. They controlled the line of scrimmage, especially on defense, and clogged up the interior early and often.
FSU needs to follow that blueprint. That starts with talent like Jordan Sanders from Texas State-a disruptive interior lineman with the kind of hands and lateral quickness that can collapse pockets and shut down run lanes. Add in Kennedy, who brings length and versatility, and you start to see the makings of a more physical front.
The message is clear: build from the inside out. That’s how Indiana flipped the script on Miami, and it’s how Florida State can do the same.
The Path Forward
Florida State doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel-they just need to study the blueprint Indiana laid out. Recruit Florida hard.
Bring in portal talent with championship experience. And dominate the line of scrimmage.
The ‘Canes made it to the national title game, and that should light a fire under the Seminoles. Not just because of the rivalry, but because the gap isn’t as wide as it might seem. With the right moves, FSU can close it-and maybe even pass Miami on the road to the top.
The next step? Start building like a champion.
Indiana showed the way. Now it’s Florida State’s turn to follow through.