TALLAHASSEE — Florida State secured wins over Miami and Florida in 2022, the first time since 2016 that the Seminoles defeated both of their in-state rivals.
As the College Football Playoff race continues, wins over the Hurricanes and the Gators are essential steps even though both programs are viewed as wildly inconsistent today.
CFP No. 4 FSU (9-0, 7-0 ACC) looks for its first undefeated ACC regular season since 2014 with a home win over Miami (6-3, 2-3) on Saturday (ESPN, 3:30).
Will star receivers Johnny Wilson and Keon Coleman play?
Johnny Wilson and Keon Coleman traveled to Pittsburgh a week ago and observed from the sideline, cheering on teammates. Neither had a visible brace or limp, encouraging signs that they would be good to play against the Hurricanes.
Wilson and Coleman practiced on Tuesday and Wednesday, which opens up the playbook significantly. Pitt often added a seventh defender in the box against FSU and was able to halt the run for chunks of the game, choosing instead to put defensive backs in one-on-one coverage against Ja’Khi Douglas, Kentron Poitier, Darion Williamson and FSU’s tight ends. Pitt’s strategy worked early and often until Jordan Travis hit Markeston Douglas for a 22-yard touchdown reception and Trey Benson’s 55-yard touchdown run.
“We’re trending in the right way and we’ll see where it is as we get closer to kickoff,” FSU coach Mike Norvell said.
UM’s Tyler Van Dyke is prone to interceptions — can FSU continue the trend?
Miami quarterback Tyler Van Dyke was injured and missed the 28-20 win over Clemson, but he has thrown 10 interceptions in his last four games. That includes losses to Georgia Tech, at North Carolina and at N.C. State. And he’s coming off back-to-back games without a touchdown pass.
When Miami’s coaches chose not to definitively state whether Van Dyke would start against FSU, it touched off speculation that the Hurricanes could roll with freshman Emory Williams (who helped guide the win over Clemson). FSU coaches expect Van Dyke to start but don’t be surprised if the game goes sideways and the Hurricanes make a move.
FSU has 12 takeaways, including two from freshman safety Conrad Hussey (a Fort Lauderdale native) as well as Fentrell Cypress’ strip-fumble recovery near the goal line in the win at Pitt.
The Seminoles are 16th in scoring defense (17 points), and it’s because of how good they defend the pass (192 yards, 25th), make stops in the red zone (16th) and perform on third downs (35th). But it’s also about takeaways.
Can FSU hold off Washington for a CFP spot?
Neither Miami nor Florida is ranked and that could impact FSU’s No. 4 spot in the CFP. No. 5 Washington will face No. 18 Utah (Saturday) and No. 12 Oregon State (Nov. 18), plus a rematch with No. 6 Oregon could be to come in the Pac-12 title game.
The CFP has a few retired coaches on the committee, and they are weighing win-loss records as well as metrics (including strength of schedule). CFP chairman Boo Corrigan said there was a differentiation between unbeatens FSU and Washington but “you can’t get much closer than 4 to 5 in what we’re doing.”
FSU’s resume includes one team ranked by the CFP (No. 19 LSU), although the Seminoles could face No. 11 Louisville in the ACC title game. The committee has acknowledged FSU’s wins over Clemson and Duke, but they too are unranked. Reason for alarm? Not yet. But worth watching.
