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

1. Hurricanes win big

For many years this rivalry was determined by two big factors: which team scored first and which team logged the most rushing yards. That was back even when Miami was a single back team under Dennis Erickson through the years of Dunn, Cook, Willie McGahee, and Edgerrin James. The Seminoles are averaging only 97 rushing yards per game and that’s even after playing the Samford Bulldogs. Miami is rushing for 213 yards per game on the backs of Travis Homer and Deejay Dallas.

The Hurricanes have staff continuity and home field advantage on their side against FSU. Fans can say what they would like but the Mark Richt Hurricanes and new-look Hard Rock Stadium have made for loud big game events.

The Notre Dame and Virginia Tech crowds in 2017 support this theory and Florida State coming to Miami Gardens at 3:30 won’t change that reaction. Francois may have the experience edge on Perry but his offensive line is weak and his coaching staff hasn’t found their groove yet.

The Miami and FSU defenses may be on similar footing per the S&P+ but the ‘Noles offense is ranked a lowly 109th while Miami is ranked 26th in the nation. This was a defensive slugfest in the 1980s and 90s and an offensive shootout in the early 2000s but this year it’ll be all about if FSU can run the football on the ‘Canes.

Prediction: Miami by 17