Countdown to Kickoff Show: Miami Hurricanes vs. Florida State

Tune in as CaneSport Publisher Gary Ferman and Ira Schoffel of Warchant.com break down the Miami-Florida State game:

The rivalry game could not have two teams headed in more different directions, as the Canes are off to a 7-0 start and FSU is 1-6 (with the lone win over Cal). A look at the national rankings shows the way Miami’s dominated … and the depths that the Seminoles have sunk to after finishing last year’s regular season without a loss.

Miami ranks No. 1 in the nation in total offense, passing offense and first down offense, and No. 2 in scoring offense; FSU is No. 132 (out of 133 teams) in total offense, 130th in rushing offense and No. 132 in scoring offense. The Seminoles haven’t scored more than 21 points in a game all season.

On the other side of the ball the Canes are No. 21 in total defense, No. 8 in rush defense and have suffered some coverage breakdowns and are No. 62 in passing yards allowed; FSU is No. 75 in total defense, No. 103 in rush defense and No. 77 in scoring defense.

If you look at these teams in a nutshell?

Well, let’s start with FSU.

On offense the team benched former starter DJ Uiagalelei in favor of redshirt freshman Brock Glenn, then last weekend in a loss to Duke temporarily benched Glenn in favor of true freshman Luke Kromenhoek. No QB has fared well there, and the run game isn’t much better with a 2.5 yard per carry average (Lawrance Toafili has 253 rush yards, Kam Davis 131 and they have a combined two TDs). FSU averages just 15 points and 276 yards per game.

On defense the pass rush is about all FSU has going for it – Patrick Payton, Joshua Farmer and Marvin Jones have combined for 9.5 sacks. The team allows 4.3 yards per carry and 198 pass yards per game to opponents and averages allowing 25 points and 370 yards per game.

Miami, of course, has flourished behind Heisman Trophy candidate Cam Ward. The QB has 24 TD passes and five INTs, throwing for over 300 yards in every game this season. He’s added three rushing scores. The run game is a committee approach with Damien Martinez and Mark Fletcher leading the way – they combine to average 96.7 rush yards per game and have scored 10 touchdowns between them. The receivers have also had balls spread out among several targets, with the top performer Xavier Restrepo – he has a team-high 39 catches for 686 yards and six scores. Also dangerous: Isaiah Horton (34-412-4), Sam Brown (24-371-2), Jacolby George (24-333-4) and tight end Elijah Arroyo (14-286-4).

The defense has struggled since ACC play began, allowing 34, 38 and 45 points, but the front line has been pretty solid and Miami has 23 sacks and 53 tackles for loss in the seven games. Leaders on defense up front are DE Rueben Bain back off injury (had team high 10 QB pressures and a sack last game), DE Tyler Baron (4.5 sacks), DT Simeon Barrow (4.5 sacks) and DT Akheem Mesidor (2.5 sacks). The linebacker play has been hit or miss, but Francisco Mauigoa and Wesley Bissainthe are the team’s top two tacklers with 36 and 30, respectively. In the back end the most steady cornerback has been true freshman OJ Frederique (13 tackles). There have been a lot of busts in the back end that must be cleaned up, but FSU’s offensive woes might be just the medicine for this group.

It’s easy to see why Miami is a heavy favorite entering the game.

But, as they say in this series, throw out the records when these two teams meet.