Miami Football: 3 bold predictions for ‘Canes matchup with Florida State

2. The Turnover Chain shows up big

The Hurricanes rely heavily on the big play or havoc play on defense. Miami leads the nation in tackles for loss, has the country’s 26th rated defense per the S&P+, and the turnover chain has shown up a dozen times already this season. It’s updated in 2018, with Sebastian the Ibis dangling from the Miami defenders’ necks instead of The U but hype surrounding it hasn’t died down on Miami sidelines.

Deondre Francois is careful with the football but with his terrible offensive line protection he has to have it in his mind that Joe Jackson, Jonathan Garvin and Gerald Willis III are going to be in his face. Not to mention Manny Diaz’s love of the blitz so FSU is definitely aware that Shaq Quarterman and random defensive backs will be provided pressure, too.

Miami is going to force Francois into at least one interception while also stripping the football out of the arms of Jacques Patrick or Cam Akers. The battle of the Turnover Chain versus the Turnover Backpack will go to the chain. The Hurricanes will sacrifice caution for havoc and that will result in Francois throwing two or three big touchdowns but also being sacked five or six times on the afternoon.

Retired Miami defender Malek Young better be ready to unlock the brief case and pass out the chain on Oct. 6.