No. 3 Miami is back home this week, and Florida State walks into the first conference game on the Hurricanes’ home field this season after a two-week stretch of preparation for the Seminoles.
The Hurricanes are 5-0 overall and 3-0 in the ACC, and this matchup opens the back half of their home schedule. Miami has looked like one of the country’s best teams, even if plenty of people are waiting to see it confirmed against Notre Dame. Still, the on-field evidence is there, and so are the injury questions the Canes are dealing with as they get ready for a rivalry game that demands attention.
One of the biggest names to watch is Malachi Toney. Miami’s midseason first-team All-American has been working through a shoulder injury he suffered in the opener against Stanford.
He has not appeared on the injury report because he has kept playing after each game, but his speed and contact rate have dipped a bit. Even so, he keeps taking the field and gives Miami more options every week.
After the time off, he should be in line for a strong return to form against Florida State.
The offensive line is another major issue point. Freshman Ben Congdon was moved into the starting group last time out against Clemson, and Miami’s line controlled things early before the injuries kept piling up. Matthew McCoy was clearly hurting in his arm before he returned for a few more series, and Max Buchanan will now be out for the foreseeable future after surgery.
That means Miami is headed into this week with a different look up front once again, and it comes against one of the better sack teams in the country. A first-half slog would not be surprising at all, and a 17-10 score at halftime would fit the way this game could unfold.
The secondary has also been piecing itself back together. Xavier Lucas and Damari Brown are back on the field, but Miami is still relying on others to hold up at a high level.
Ethan O’Connor has taken on a bigger role and has been one of the best corners in the country. With Lucas back in the mix, the Hurricanes have a chance to tighten coverage and create more turnovers.
Even with the No. 1 scoring defense and No. 2 overall defense in the country, Miami has not forced many takeaways. That remains part of the story as Florida State comes to town.
In Other News...
Former Miami Tight End Could Soon Shake Up The Big Ten Race
Alex Baumans path from Miami to Michigan took another turn this week after the former Hurricanes tight end won a legal injunction that allowed him to enter the transfer portal and head to the Wolverines. For a Michigan team looking for answers on offense, the timing matters. The Wolverines have been trying to stabilize a unit that has not found its footing, and adding Bauman gives them another piece to work with as they try to sharpen that side of the ball.
Michigan plans to bring Bauman in along with another player, and his debut is expected soon. For Miami fans, it is another reminder of how quickly a former player can surface in a new conference and potentially matter in a big way. For the Wolverines, it is less about the headline and more about whether Bauman can help provide the kind of boost their offense has been missing as the Big Ten race tightens. [Read more 🡒]
Miami Defense Has Florida State Facing A Dangerous Quarterback Problem
Florida State arrives with a quarterback who can make things interesting in a hurry, and Ashton Daniels has already shown why. According to Pro Football Focus, he has the longest average time to throw in the country at 3.63 seconds, a style that can create explosive plays but also leaves plenty of room for sacks and interceptions when the pocket starts to close. For Miami, that kind of quarterback profile is familiar territory, because this defense has long been built to punish hesitation and force offenses to live with the consequences.
Daniels tendency to hold the ball puts the Seminoles in a tricky spot against a Hurricanes front that has historically done a good job of shrinking the impact of quarterbacks who need extra time. Miami has been especially effective at limiting those passers both through the air and on the ground, and that makes the matchup feel less about flash and more about who blinks first. If Daniels is forced into long-developing reads again, the Hurricanes will like their chances of turning pressure into problems. [Read more 🡒]
Miami Has A Huge Florida State Recruiting Chance To Seize
Saturday night at Hard Rock Stadium brings more than just another chapter in the Miami-Florida State rivalry. The Hurricanes will host the Seminoles with several five-star recruits in attendance, and among the most important visitors is Texas A&M commit Mark Matthews, giving Mario Cristobal and his staff a prime chance to make an impression in front of one of the countrys top prospects.
Miamis strong start has only sharpened the pitch, especially with Texas A&M coming in on the wrong side of expectations so far. Cristobal will try to use the atmosphere, the matchup and the chance to see the Hurricanes up close to get Matthews thinking again, and the recruiting subplot adds another layer to a 7:00 p.m. E.T. game that will be shown on ESPN. [Read more 🡒]