TALLAHASSEE — Florida State was just 6-12 under coach Mike Norvell going into the 2021 game against Miami. The Seminoles hadn’t found much success, let alone defeated a rival since Florida in 2017.
Norvell inherited a rebuild and a young roster — the Seminoles were the youngest in the FBS in 2020. A year later, they had gained some experience and had an infusion of transfers. But the Seminoles were still learning on the fly. Among them was a young quarterback, Jordan Travis, who began the season splitting time with UCF transfer McKenzie Milton.
No. 4 Seminoles ready to host Hurricanes but CFP math eventually could work against them | Analysis
Travis had two touchdown runs in FSU’s 31-28 win over Miami, a game that helped give a competitive quarterback some much-needed confidence.
“Just being a kid that didn’t believe in himself too much and going out there in a game like that and beating Miami in the way we did, obviously boosts your confidence a lot,” Travis said. “It did change my life a lot.”
Trailing 28-20 but with time in the fourth quarter, the Seminoles drove the field in six minutes but settled for Ryan Fitzgerald’s field-goal attempt. After a Miami punt, FSU had the ball with 2:19 to go.
Travis connected with Ja’Khi Douglas, who was lined up in the slot but got some separation and hauled in a perfectly thrown pass that hit him in stride as the receiver ran down to Miami’s 20-yard line on a 59-yard reception. But a 1-yard run, a pre-snap penalty and two incompletions later, the Seminoles faced fourth-and-14.
Miami rushed three and dropped eight, forcing Travis to find a window. He did, connecting with Andrew Parchment over the middle for more than a first down as he ran toward the goal line and was tackled at the 1.
A few plays later, the Seminoles’ offensive line got enough of a push up front and Travis ran behind the left side and into the end zone. Beyond that touchdown run in the final seconds, he was also 7 of 12 for 112 yards in the fourth quarter. For the game, he also had 22 carries for 62 yards.
The young Seminoles grew up that night. While FSU has often been fueled by transfers, the 2021 win over Miami was a critical developmental moment for younger players who made an impact, including the likes of linebacker Kalen DeLoach, defensive tackle Malcolm Ray, linebacker DJ Lundy as well as safeties Akeem Dent and Renardo Green. Receivers Douglas, Kentron Poitier and Darion Williamson also played that night.
Including that 2021 win over Miami, the Seminoles are 21-4 since then as they prepare for another rivalry game with the Hurricanes on Saturday (ABC, 3:30).
FSU has won 15 consecutive games, a streak that has now surpassed more than a calendar year. And its origins date to lessons learned, of difficult losses and mistakes made. But also to a win over Miami two years ago.
“It helped a lot of guys,” Norvell said. “That was one of those emotional days. They got to be in it. They controlled it. They responded.”
Coaches: Mike Norvell, 4th season at FSU, 27-16 (65-31 overall); Mario Cristobal, 2nd season at Miami, 11-10 (73-70 overall).
Quick slant: In the last 15 meetings, FSU leads 10-5. That includes a 45-3 victory at Miami in 2022. … Mike Norvell is 21-5 in November as a head coach, including 5-0 in 2022 and ’23. Cristobal is 1-4 in November since arriving at Miami … Hurricanes DL Rueben Bain Jr. was a coveted 2023 prospect that FSU pursued. Bain leads Miami in sacks (6.5).
About No. 4 FSU (1-0, 0-0 ACC): FSU’s streak of games with 30 or more points was halted as the Seminoles scored 24 at Pitt (they had the ball late near the Panthers’ goal line but allowed time to run out) … The Seminoles held Pitt without a third-down conversion, the first time an FSU defense has done that since Florida in 2016 … FSU has allowed just 12.6 points in the last five games.
About Miami (6-3, 2-3 ACC): The Hurricanes are 11th in the nation in sacks (30) … They also allow just 89.2 rushing yards per game, 8th in the FBS. … Miami freshman RB Mark Fletcher ran for 115 yards, picking up 5 yards per carry, in his first career start last week (a loss at N.C. State) … Hurricanes LB coach Derek Nicholson played at FSU from 2005-08.
3 things to watch
Win the intangibles. There’s always noise around a rivalry game, but this one is driving the pregame decibel meter all the way up. Will Tyler Van Dyke start? Yes, safe bet. Will Johnny Wilson and Keon Coleman play? Yes, safe bet. Why haven’t Miami’s win-loss results — in a word: inconsistent — reflected the accumulated talent? Not sure. Will FSU continue on its track as one of the CFP’s top four? There are always juicy storylines for FSU-Miami. Is this the team that beat Texas A&M in September and Clemson in October sans Van Dyke? Or is it the team that lost to Georgia Tech, UNC and N.C. State? The Seminoles must bring the energy, avoid pre-snap penalties (or ones based on emotion) and withstand the momentum twists throughout the game.
Travis’ consistency is a difference maker. This isn’t about 300-yard games or a Heisman discussion. It’s about consistently making the right decisions, connecting with receivers (and tight ends and tailbacks) and commanding the offense. It’s about building drives and putting points on the board. Who does that with consistency, not necessarily every quarter but every game? It’s Travis and the FSU offense, regardless of what personnel is available. While Van Dyke is dangerous on his best day, Travis’ worst days are still pretty good. Travis’ best days, with Wilson and/or Coleman, are fun to watch.
Kick a little. In a rivalry that was often decided on kicks, this hasn’t been much of a storyline in recent years. But in a game that could be closer than expected, especially early, who has the edge? Miami’s Andres Borregales has made 17 of 19 field-goal attempts (both misses from 40 or more yards), while Fitzgerald has made 11 of 12 field-goal attempts (one miss from 29). Give the edge in punting to FSU’s Alex Mastromanno (46.4 average, 15 inside opponents’ 20) over Miami’s Dylan Joyce (42.1 average, 12 inside opponents’ 20). FSU’s special teams have been a strength and again could make a difference.
Where: Doak Campbell Stadium
When: 3:30 p.m. ET
TV: ABC; Radio: 660 AM in Orlando; SiriusXM Ch. 119 or 193
Weather: 78 degrees, 10% rain chance
Favorite: FSU 13.5 points
