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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Miami is allowing an average of 32 points and 506 yards per game this season.
But Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher looks at the game film and sees talent that can match up with the No. 12 Seminoles.
"Defense is still athletic," Fisher said. "They probably cover as well as anybody. They've gotten beat on some balls, but they are right there to make the play."
Miami has struggled to stop anyone this season, allowing 52 points to Kansas State and 41 points to Notre Dame. Both teams are now ranked in the top 10. But even in wins over Georgia Tech and N.C. State, the Hurricanes gave up 36 and 37 points, respectively, and had to win those games in a shootout.
"You still see a lot of fast guys, a lot of athletic guys," Florida State quarterback EJ Manuel said. "It's not necessarily about the defense that we're playing against. We have to do what we are supposed to do. We can't have a letdown like we did a week ago (at NC State). We need to continue building on the success."
Florida State (6-1, 3-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) recovered from a demoralizing loss at NC State by routing Boston College 51-7 on Saturday. The Seminoles racked up 649 yards on offense, surpassing the 600-yard mark for the fourth time this season.
Now the Seminoles go into their game Saturday against a Miami team that has given up at least 419 yards in every game its played against Football Bowl Subdivision teams this season.
Miami (4-3, 3-1 ACC) is known as Quarterback U and has filled up NFL rosters with defensive standouts, too. But this year's Hurricanes are inexperienced on defense, starting just one player in the front seven that is not a freshman or sophomore.
And that has showed, as Miami is 117th out of 120 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in total defense (506 yards per game). Just three schools — Eastern Michigan, Louisiana Tech and Baylor — are worse. Miami is 118th against the run (253.7 yards) and 86th against the pass (252).
"They played some good teams," Fisher said. "North Carolina State caused us a lot of problems. Kansas State does a lot of quarterback runs. They held North Carolina to 18 points. North Carolina had yards (486) but didn't get points. What they have done a nice job of is create turnovers. They created six turnovers vs. NC State. Had one on the goal line against North Carolina."
One area where Miami has done well is forcing turnovers. The Hurricanes have created 13 turnovers (seven fumbles and six interceptions).
But the yards and points have added up for Miami's opponents, and Florida State has an offense that can move the ball on the ground or in the air. The Seminoles have the nation's No. 6 scoring offense (46 points), 16th rushing offense (233 yards) and 23rd passing offense (297 yards).
The Seminoles are at their best when they show balance on offense, something they were able to achieve in wins over Wake Forest, Clemson and Boston College. But they have been susceptible on the road, struggling to move the ball consistently in a win at South Florida, and NC State shut out the Seminoles in the second half.
Florida State has won the last two games in the rivalry with Miami, including a 45-17 rout at Sun Life Stadium in 2010. But while the Seminoles have won the past three matchups in South Florida, the games historically are very close — 9 of the past 10 games have been decided by a touchdown or less.
"It's one of the great rivalries of college football," Fisher said. "There's a lot of history, a lot of tradition."
