The first month of the season is over with the Hurricanes entering October undefeated. The rival Florida State Seminoles are up next. Last year, Miami ended a seven-game losing streak against their rivals and now is looking to start a streak of their own.
Plenty of changes from last year’s lackluster 7-6 season for the Seminoles. The biggest change was Jimbo Fisher seeing a big, fat payday and leaving for Texas A&M. Now in his place is Willie Taggart.
After a year at Oregon and having pretty good success at turning around Western Kentucky and South Florida, this is now Taggert’s biggest job. Quarterback Deondre Francois, who was lost in the season opener last year, is back and should regain his starting job. There is plenty of talent at the skill positions for the Seminoles. Despite having a new coach, the Seminoles are not rebuilding and should bounce back from a down year.
Rivalry games are always hard to predict, particularly this one where it seems both teams always kick it to an extra level when they face each other. Miami is looking to start a streak in this series, but the Seminoles will be out to prove last year was a fluke. They will come out firing and with Taggart’s new uptempo offense having time to come together over the first month of the season, the Seminoles will take it to another level against Miami.
Quarterback Malik Rosier’s inconsistencies from a year ago rear their ugly head again. Florida State gains short fields for two of Rosier’s three interceptions, turning the turnovers into touchdowns. Miami keeps it close on the scoreboard, but Florida State controls the day.
Final: Florida State 28, Miami 21 (5-1, 1-1 ACC)