Florida State will face their arch-rival, the Miami Hurricanes, on the road this Saturday night. Given the Seminoles’ struggles this season, it may not be an easy contest. Still, in rivalry games, anything can happen. Miami comes in with star quarterback Cam Ward leading the charge, and this matchup was originally anticipated to feature both him and transfer quarterback DJ Uiagalelei. However, Uiagalelei injured his throwing hand and is likely out for the rest of the 2024 season.
Florida State has endured a tough year under head coach Mike Norvell, now in his fifth season, but the defense remains a bright spot. Defensive coordinator Adam Fuller has kept things simple, allowing the players to focus on their assignments. Unfortunately, this approach has also led to fewer turnovers, as opposing offenses aren’t easily confused by the static looks.
A major issue for Florida State has been getting off the field on third downs. They rank 95th in the FBS, allowing opponents to convert 41.3% of third-down attempts, while Miami leads the nation with a 60.2% conversion rate.
Though ChopChat isn’t fond of the Hurricanes, credit is due for Miami’s ability to keep drives alive with Ward at the helm. The key for Florida State will be making Ward uncomfortable and forcing mistakes, giving the Seminoles a chance to stay competitive heading into the fourth quarter. That will be the decisive factor if Florida State hopes to pull off the road upset.
