Miami Hurricanes 2023 Season Preview: Game 10 Florida State

If there was one game Miami Hurricanes players, coaches, and fans have circled on their calendar, it would be the Nov. 11 matchup against Florida State. The obvious reason? The Seminoles have been the Hurricanes’ most fierce rival over the many decades the two have played, and most recently a 45-3 loss in 2022, which is more than likely sitting in the back of the minds of everyone down in Coral Gables. 

On paper, the Seminoles are one of the most well-rounded teams in the country after winning 10 games for the first time since 2016 and ending last season with six straight wins.

After averaging 36.1 points and 484.2 yards per game (214.1 rushing) FSU head coach Mike Norvell brings back six starters from last season. Leading the charge offensively for the Seminoles is QB Jordan Travis, who, after throwing for 3,214 yards with 24 TDs and five INTs while adding 417 rush yards and five more scores, is among the early talks as a potential Heisman Trophy candidate heading into the 2023 season.

Alongside Travis, Florida State brings back two key offensive weapons in RB Trey Benson (990 rush yards, 9 TDs) and WR Johnny Wilson (897 yards, 5 TDs). While the team did lose some talent on the offensive side of the ball, Norvell and his staff were extremely active in the transfer portal as FSU brought in TE Jaheim Bell from South Carolina and WR Keon Coleman (58 catches, 798 yards, 7 TDs at Michigan State last year). Up front, the Seminoles offensive line returns five players that started games and will also be helped by UTEP transfer Jeremiah Byers, who was considered one of the top tackles in the portal.

Defensively, the Seminoles bring back eight starters from a unit that gave up just 20.6 points and 321.8 yards per contest. Led by defensive end Jared Verse (17 TFL, 9 sacks) who was projected to go in the first round of this year’s NFL draft by multiple analysts, and Fabien Lovett, FSU will look to set the tone defensively in the trenches. Also looking to contribute up front are former Miami DT Darrell Jackson and Western Michigan DT Braden Fiske. 

At the second level, FSU brings back linebackers Tatum Bethune (84 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 3 sacks) and Kalen DeLoach (65 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 3 sacks).

In the secondary, the team got a major portal addition in CB Fentrell Cypress II, who was considered one of the top talents available. Alongside Cypress II will be safety Akeem Dent (53 tackles, 4 PBU) and CB Renardo Green (58 tackles, 3 TFL, 5 PBU).

This rivalry matchup for Miami coach Mario Cristobal and his staff will arguably be one of the Hurricanes’ most difficult challenges this season and their most difficult matchup on the road in front of a hostile crowd at Doak Campbell Stadium, with FSU generally considered a preseason top 10 team.

If Miami hopes to pull off the upset in this contest, the Hurricanes will need to be firing on all cylinders early on both sides of the ball and use that to build momentum throughout the matchup. Although the Hurricanes will more than likely enter the game as the underdogs when these two teams play, you can throw all the betting odds out the window and expect a dogfight regardless of each side’s record, and we expect that come November.