No. 13 Miami (3-0, 1-0 ACC) at Florida State (1-2, 1-1), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN) Line: Miami by 3. Series record: Miami leads 31-30. WHAT’S AT STAKE The game was originally scheduled for Sept. 16 but was pushed back
No. 13 Miami (3-0, 1-0 ACC) at Florida State (1-2, 1-1), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Line: Miami by 3.
Series record: Miami leads 31-30.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
The game was originally scheduled for Sept. 16 but was pushed back three weeks due to Hurricane Irma. Many thought at the beginning of the season that this would be a preview of the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game. Miami is off to an unbeaten start but Florida State’s chances have taken a huge hit due to injuries and losing its first two games.
KEY MATCHUP
The Hurricanes’ passing game against the Seminoles’ secondary. Miami has six players with five or more receptions and QB Malik Rosier has completed 65.6 percent of his passes. Florida State’s secondary was supposed to be the team’s strength, but it has been prone to giving up big pass plays during the first three games. They have especially been susceptible to having short receptions turn into huge gains after the catch.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Miami: RB Mark Walton. The junior leads the conference in rushing yards per game (134.3) and is second nationally, averaging 9.16 yards per carry.
Florida State: WR Auden Tate. The junior leads the Seminoles in receptions (13) and yards (226) along with accounting for three of the team’s four touchdowns.
FACTS & FIGURES
Florida State has won seven straight in the series, but the last three games have been decided by a total of 10 points. … FSU K Ricky Aguayo has made eight straight field goals after missing his first two. He has made four each in the past two games. … Florida State DB Kyle Meyers last week at Wake Forest became the first Seminoles’ player since 2014 to have an interception and force a fumble in the same game. … Rosier is the first Miami quarterback since Brock Berlin in 2003 to win his first four starts. … The Hurricanes’ defense is tied for second nationally in tackles for loss, with 9.0 per game. They forced 11 in last week’s win at Duke along with having six sacks.
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