Miami football: 3 takeaways from dominant win over Florida State

Navaughn Donaldson, Miami football (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
Navaughn Donaldson, Miami football (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
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Miami football dominated Florida State from start to finish to remain undefeated on the season and to go to 3-0 on the year.

After Florida State had won seven straight games over Miami from 2010-16, the Hurricanes have defeated the Seminoles in the last three games they played one another prior to Saturday’s contest.

In 2017 and 2018, Miami defeated Florida State 24-20 and 28-27, respectively. Last year, the Hurricanes beat the Seminoles by double digits for the first time since 2001, when they won by a final score of 49–27. Miami wanted to defeat Florida State by double digits in back to back years and hadn’t done so since they beat the Seminoles by double digits in back-to-back season in 1956 and 1957.

Florida State is beginning the season with a new coach in Mike Norvell who happens to not be at the game tonight due to the COVID-19 protocol.

The Seminoles have started the season losing at home to Georgia Tech by three points. Miami after having a very disappointing season last year that included losses to Florida International and Louisiana Tech has had a good, solid start to their season lead by a vast improvement to their offense under second-year coach Manny Diaz.

Both teams were looking for positive momentum entering this game as the matchup was the featured prime time game on ABC. Even though Florida State played a better second half, Miami showed in tonight’s contest that they are a real threat to compete for an ACC title this season.

The Seminoles, on the other hand, has a lot to improve upon moving forward.