The Battle for the State is almost here. Before Miami kicks off against Florida State at Hard Rock Stadium, take a look at how the national media predicts tonight’s rivalry game.
USA Today
Bleacher Report
"Who thought FSU would need a win at Miami to avoid the certainty of missing a bowl? As always, the rivalry asterisk matters. This is an "empty the playbook" kind of game for Florida State, and Miami's tackling has been so atrocious lately that maybe FSU can stay competitive. But there's no way I can pick an offense that hasn't cracked 21 points against the dynamic, Cam Ward-led UM scoring attack."
Prediction: Miami 38, Florida State 20
Chris Hummer, 247Sports
"Good luck to Florida State, because Mario Cristobal is going to try and blow the Seminoles out if he can. This game matters for recruiting in the Sunshine State, and I don't envision Miami laying off the gas. I also just can't see Florida State, which ranks 127th nationally in yards per play, keeping up with one of the most explosive offenses in the country. Maybe pride takes over for FSU and this is closer than I expect. But give me Miami to cover. They're just a much better team …
Miami 38, Florida State 10."
Brad Crawford, 247Sports
"This feels like a ton of points in a rivalry game and Miami has struggled defensively with pulling away from ACC competition, but Florida State is terrible. There's no way to put it nicely with what has happened this season for the Seminoles. Miami's going to have at least one loss before entering the playoff a month and change from now, but it's not going to happen this weekend. ...
Miami 41, Florida State, 17"
Sporting News
"Florida State has a minus-10 turnover ratio and hasn't scored more than 16 points in a game since Week 0. The pass defense has been better the last two weeks, but that won't be enough against the Hurricanes – who average 577.3 yards per game with Heisman Trophy candidate Cam Ward. Will the rivalry factor kick in at all? Florida State has won the last three meetings, but if the Hurricanes have a chance to pour it on here, they will, and this score will be almost identical to the Week 1 victory against Florida."
Pick: Miami wins 42-16 and COVERS the spread.
Athlon Sports
Lassan: "Miami and coach Mario Cristobal probably hasn't forgotten a 45-3 win by Florida State in Hard Rock Stadium back in 2022. With the Seminoles struggling, the 'Canes have a chance to deal their in-state rival a bit of payback on Saturday night. Florida State's defense has played better since a slow start, but the offensive line and receiving corps remain a major issue. The Seminoles might be able to slow quarterback Cameron Ward for a half. However, unless Florida State is able to piece together drives or consistently run the ball, Miami should pull away in the second half.”
Prediction: Miami 38, Florida State 13
Lyons: "Miami has been playing with fire this season, but Florida State has fully immolated. The FSU passing attack doesn’t pose a real threat to a leaky Miami secondary, and unless the Seminoles can get all kinds of pressure on Cam Ward, he should shred their defense.”
Prediction: Miami 45, Florida State 14
ESPN Matchup Predictor
USA Today
Bleacher Report
"Who thought FSU would need a win at Miami to avoid the certainty of missing a bowl? As always, the rivalry asterisk matters. This is an "empty the playbook" kind of game for Florida State, and Miami's tackling has been so atrocious lately that maybe FSU can stay competitive. But there's no way I can pick an offense that hasn't cracked 21 points against the dynamic, Cam Ward-led UM scoring attack."
Prediction: Miami 38, Florida State 20
Chris Hummer, 247Sports
"Good luck to Florida State, because Mario Cristobal is going to try and blow the Seminoles out if he can. This game matters for recruiting in the Sunshine State, and I don't envision Miami laying off the gas. I also just can't see Florida State, which ranks 127th nationally in yards per play, keeping up with one of the most explosive offenses in the country. Maybe pride takes over for FSU and this is closer than I expect. But give me Miami to cover. They're just a much better team …
Miami 38, Florida State 10."
Brad Crawford, 247Sports
"This feels like a ton of points in a rivalry game and Miami has struggled defensively with pulling away from ACC competition, but Florida State is terrible. There's no way to put it nicely with what has happened this season for the Seminoles. Miami's going to have at least one loss before entering the playoff a month and change from now, but it's not going to happen this weekend. ...
Miami 41, Florida State, 17"
Sporting News
"Florida State has a minus-10 turnover ratio and hasn't scored more than 16 points in a game since Week 0. The pass defense has been better the last two weeks, but that won't be enough against the Hurricanes – who average 577.3 yards per game with Heisman Trophy candidate Cam Ward. Will the rivalry factor kick in at all? Florida State has won the last three meetings, but if the Hurricanes have a chance to pour it on here, they will, and this score will be almost identical to the Week 1 victory against Florida."
Pick: Miami wins 42-16 and COVERS the spread.
Athlon Sports
Lassan: "Miami and coach Mario Cristobal probably hasn't forgotten a 45-3 win by Florida State in Hard Rock Stadium back in 2022. With the Seminoles struggling, the 'Canes have a chance to deal their in-state rival a bit of payback on Saturday night. Florida State's defense has played better since a slow start, but the offensive line and receiving corps remain a major issue. The Seminoles might be able to slow quarterback Cameron Ward for a half. However, unless Florida State is able to piece together drives or consistently run the ball, Miami should pull away in the second half.”
Prediction: Miami 38, Florida State 13
Lyons: "Miami has been playing with fire this season, but Florida State has fully immolated. The FSU passing attack doesn’t pose a real threat to a leaky Miami secondary, and unless the Seminoles can get all kinds of pressure on Cam Ward, he should shred their defense.”
Prediction: Miami 45, Florida State 14
