Last Updated on October 6, 2010 5:01 am by Anthony Rome
Florida State vs. Miami Preview
Miami, FL – Nine straight meetings between Florida State and Miami have been decided by fewer than 10 points, adding to an already intense in-state rivalry. The way their respective defenses are each playing this year, the latest showdown could go down to the final seconds as well.
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With both teams ranked for the first time in four years, the 13th-ranked Hurricanes host the No. 23 Seminoles on Saturday night in a matchup of the ACC’s top-ranked defenses.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL.com have made Miami –6.5 point spread favorites for Saturday’s game against Florida State. Current NCAA Public Betting Information shows that 52% of more than 622 bets for this game have been placed on Miami –6.5.
Miami (3-1, 1-0) has held the recent advantage against Florida State (4-1, 2-0), winning eight of 11 and two of the last three meetings. The Hurricanes held on to win 38-34 in Tallahassee last year after the Seminoles couldn’t score from two yards out with 14 seconds remaining.
The last nine matchups have been decided by an average of 4.1 points, including a 16-13 Hurricanes win in the 2004 Orange Bowl. This is the first time both teams have been ranked since 2006 when the Seminoles won 13-10.
“This is the reason you come to Florida State,” said coach Jimbo Fisher, who hopes to celebrate his birthday Saturday with a win. “To play in these games.”
Both teams feature strong pass rushes and rank as the ACC’s two top defenses statistically.
The Seminoles are second in the conference, giving up 293.4 yards per game while the Hurricanes are allowing 266.8. Florida State has a league-best 25 sacks while Miami forced six turnovers in a 30-21 win at Clemson last Saturday.
“Our defensive line has been doing a tremendous job, and our linebackers have been wiping out the run,” Hurricanes cornerback Brandon Harris said. “If we keep playing this way on the back end, I believe we’re going to have success.”
Defense has played a key role in recent meetings between these programs even though the last three games have been high-scoring affairs. The teams have combined for nine non-offensive touchdowns in the last 10 matchups. The Seminoles returned an interception for a score to take the lead in the fourth quarter in last year’s game.
“You throw everything out the window when you play Florida State,” Miami coach Randy Shannon said. “Both teams are going to go after each other. It’s a respect factor. It’s a rivalry but we respect them.”
Shannon’s team is looking to win its third straight as it returns home for the first time since a season-opening 45-0 win over Florida A&M. Jacory Harris threw for 205 yards and four first-half touchdowns against Clemson, three to Leonard Hankerson, who finished with seven catches for 147 yards.
Harris and the Hurricanes are facing their second ranked opponent this season. They lost 36-24 to No. 2 Ohio State on Sept. 11.
Meanwhile, Fisher’s team was embarrassed in its first game against a Top 25 foe this season, losing 47-17 to then-No. 10 Oklahoma on Sept. 11.
Florida State has won three in a row since by a combined 99-24 score.
The Seminoles won at Virginia 34-14 last Saturday, outrushing the Cavaliers 256-25. Jermaine Thomas had 16 carries for 122 yards and two touchdowns and the defense didn’t give up a score until the third quarter.
Florida State is looking to start 3-0 in conference play for the first time since 2005 when it finished 5-3 against the ACC.
“We know it’s going to be a tough game,” said Christian Ponder, who has three touchdowns and three interceptions in two games against the Hurricanes. “Yes, it’s Miami, but we can’t make it bigger than what it is. It’s the next game.”
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