Florida State Seminoles

Miami Writer Answers Our Questions Ahead of Sunshine State Battle

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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We asked the writer over at Miami’s site, Canes Warning, three questions ahead of FSU football’s showdown Saturday against the Hurricanes.

For the 61st time, one of college football’s best rivalries will take place when the Seminoles of Florida State travel down to Miami for a game against the Hurricanes. While FSU has the advantage when it comes to recent history (six straight wins), it’s Miami who is the favorite to end that streak this season.

The Hurricanes currently sit at 4-0 and are ranked tenth in the country, much of that due to the play of star quarterback Brad Kaaya and the new coaching of head coach Mark Richt. Many fans of “The U” believe this is the year they can beat the ‘Noles – who come into the game at just 3-2 and are searching for answers after last weekend’s upset loss to North Carolina.

Heading into Saturday’s Sunshine State showdown, we reached out to our friends over at FanSided’s site for the Hurricanes, Canes Warning, and their site expert Alan Rubenstein along with contributor Daniel Norwall, to get some insight with three main questions heading into Saturday’s showdown.

Sep 13, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Brad Kaaya (15) throws a pass against the Arkansas State Red Wolves during the second half at Sun Life Stadium. Miami won 41-20. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

No. 1 – Brad Kaaya has been a force that FSU hasn’t been able to stop the last two seasons, but he still is winless against the Seminoles. What is the offensive plan for being able to try and avoid another fourth quarter letdown?

Miami has not been able to establish the run game against a stout Florida State defense in the past three years due to putting seven to eight men in the box. Thus, Brad Kaaya has been able to light up FSU’s secondary. Due to FSU’s struggles this year, Miami will take advantage in the passing game.

Miami has good enough receivers to get separation off man coverage in the passing game. Mark Richt will want to achieve a nice balance of running and passing the ball. I think we will see Richt open the playbook quite a bit in this game. Expect to see a lot of plays featuring Miami’s tight ends David Njoku and Chris Herndon – they represent miss-matches from linebackers and safeties due to their size and speed.

On the other hand, this game is very important for Brad Kaaya. Why? Many fans have not seen Kaaya lead the ‘Canes to a victory over a talented team yet. Richt will let Kaaya sling the ball around the yard and many NFL scouts will point this game to evaluate him. This opportunity for him represents a chance to finally defeat Florida State.

Oct 1, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Braxton Berrios (8) runs the ball against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the third quarter of the game at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

No. 2 – Dalvin Cook has torched Miami the past couple of years and has looked like that player the past couple of games. How will the Miami defense look to attack the ‘Noles offense that’s seemed to hit its stride and held up their end of the load?

Dalvin Cook has been able to burn the Miami defense because of one simple thing: lack of tackling. In year pasts, Cook broke the back of the Miami defense due to breaking tackles on toss sweeps on the perimeter. Miami will have to rely on outside linebackers to set the edges for the safeties to run the alley and make open field tackles, one on one. I have a feeling that Miami will take a blue print defensively from Houston’s victory over Florida State in the Peach Bowl in 2015, because the Houston defense did an excellent job of limiting the explosiveness of Cook by making open field tackles

In the passing game, Defensive Coordinator Manny Diaz will dial up some exotic blitzes and defensive line stunts to get Deondre Francois off his game. Although, Miami has not faced a dual threat quarterback yet. This game will put the Canes’ statistical rankings to test.

Oct 1, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Mark Richt looks on during the third quarter against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets of the game at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

No. 3 – Miami is ranked both highly in the polls and when it comes to metrics used to rank offense and defense. Do you think this a product of the new staff coaching the players up or Miami playing a soft schedule in the early part of the season?

Miami statistical numbers are impressive thus far because of the correlation between good coaching and a soft schedule. In year’s past, such as 2013 for example, Miami started the season off 7-0 and reached the top 10 when they faced Florida State in Doak Campbell Stadium. The Seminoles smashed and exposed the Hurricanes.

Yet, Miami was never this efficient defensively and offensively in years past. Miami allowed 267 rushing yards against Georgia Tech with freshman linebackers which was the least amount allowed in at least five years against Paul Johnson’s triple option. Offensively, you see a new philosophy of running the ball which has translated in efficiency for Brad Kaaya and the rest of the offense.

Coaching has made a huge difference for this team and people are beginning to see it. Granted, Miami has not been punched in the mouth yet, but things are trending up.