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The FSU-Miami is the first rivalry matchup of the 2020 college football season, but it’s two teams trending in opposite directions early on this season.
The ‘Canes are 2-0, and looking like a contender for the ACC Championship Game with D’Eriq King looking like a Heisman contender after two games. And offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee made some great adjustments. Multiple times the Canes completely isolated their speedy skill players due to scheme and design. Here’s some great film on how they did it, focus not just on their adjustments, but also anticipating how Louisville would react and countering.
A little Lunch Break Breakdown of how #Miami set up their two huge 3rd Quarter plays last Saturday. OC Rhett Lashlee did a great job of gathering information in the first half and unleashing the perfect calls in the second half. pic.twitter.com/KTANNgCIi4
— Seth Varnadore (@SethVarnadore) September 21, 2020
And that might be a huge problem for FSU, who often looked disorganized and undisciplined in their loss to Georgia Tech. Check out this zone coverage when they rush three and drop eight early in the second quarter with a two-score lead on Georgia Tech already against a true freshman quarterback.
The Noles gave up a respectable-but-not-great 5.9 yards per play to a Yellow Jackets team picked to finish last in the ACC this season.
Starting quarterback James Blackman was 23/43 for 198 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. And though the interception didn’t hurt as the the Georgia Tech drive resulted in one of three blocked kicks on the day, it shows the problems FSU has with Blackman even when he has time to throw.
And if FSU does find a victory, it won’t be the first for new head coach Mike Norvell: He’s been diagnosed with Covid-19 and will not make the trip south.
This all leads up to FSU being a double-digit underdog on the road in a series where so many games have had razor-thin margins over the years. Here are the bigger stats for the Florida State Seminoles and Miami Hurricanes:
Florida State Seminoles (0-1, 0-1 ACC) vs. #12 Miami Hurricanes (2-0, 1-0 ACC)
Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, FL
When: Saturday, September 26th, 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: ABC
Odds at DraftKings Sportsbook
Spread: Miami -11.5
Total: Over/Under 55.5
Money Line: FSU +335, Miami -455
SP+ Ranking after Week 3
FSU: 46 (48 offense, 40 defense)
Miami: 21 (39 offense, 16 defense, offense entered 2019 projected as 56th)
Returning Production
Florida State
Overall: 73% (27 of 130 FBS)
Offense: 63%
Defense: 83%
Coaching Staff: All new but WR and DL coach
Offense: 7 starters returning, 10 QB starts (James Blackman)
Defense: 10 starters returning
Offensive line games started: 37
Miami
Overall: 55% (91 of 130 FBS)
Offense: 59%
Defense: 50%
Coaching Staff: New OC (Rhett Lashlee), OL, & WR coach
Offense: 7 starters returning, new QB (D’Eriq King, transfer from Houston)
Defense: 4 starters returning
Offensive line games started: 65
Team Talent via 247 Sports Composite
FSU: 22nd of 130
Miami: 18th of 130
Championship Odds
FSU: National Champion +50000, ACC Champion +5000
Miami: National Champion +10000, ACC Champion +1000