Earlier today, we had the first installment of our 3 part roundtable discussion leading up to Saturday’s rivalry game between the Miami Hurricanes and Florida State Seminoles. You can see that discussion here:
We pick up where we left off this morning with the last 5 questions of our discussion. Don’t see predictions? Don’t worry. Those will be up tomorrow.
Here’s the rest of our Roundtable discussion:
QUESTION 7: What have you seen from Miami that makes you think the Canes will win against Florida State?
Cam Underwood:
I’ve seen a dominant offensive line, the best in the country to my eyes. I’ve seen a ruthlessly efficient offense. I’ve seen timely and accurate passing from Carson Beck. I’ve seen great plays by Malachi Toney and CJ Daniels. I’ve seen Rueben Bain be the single best player in the country. I’ve seen the defensive line dominate multiple teams who claimed to have the advantage up front. I’ve seen the defense take a 180 from last year and be enthusiastic, swarm to the ball, and play with violence. And I’ve seen this program from top to bottom stay fully locked in and focused.
Justin Dottavio: Carson Beck will take care of the football, make enough plays, and Miami can let it ride on the OL and DL which is how a team like North Dakota State has been so dominant for so long at the FCS level. Dominating up front on both sides will wear down FSU and the ‘Noles poor tackling will catch up to them against Fletcher and Brown.
Craig T. Smith: Miami being able to run the ball and control the line of scrimmage on offense. Carson Beck has been smart with the ball, mostly, through four games, so avoiding disastrous short fields is something that needs to continue to happen, and I think it will. Defensively, being able to slow Florida State’s run game and pin their ears back at Castellanos. Miami is equipped for all of those things.
Mike Schiffman: Miami’s running game and lines of scrimmage. The Canes have been awesome on the ground this season, pushing piles and grinding down defenses in the fourth quarter. The pile pushing is due to the talented and cohesive offensive line. They’re fun to watch. On the other side of the ball, the Canes’ defensive line is getting pressure constantly, making life miserable for opposing offenses, while easing the pressure on their fellow defenders in the back seven.
John Michaels: Both lines of scrimmage. Football has changed a ton over the last 30 years, but the game is still largely the same. If you can block, and if you can rush the passer, you will win more games than not. FSU is average at best on the o-line, which should allow Miami to control their running game, and Miami also should be able to get pressure with 4. On the other side, the Canes have the best o-line in college football, and should open big running lanes and a pocket for the offense to operate.
Jake Marcus: Everything, but mainly the trenches. Miami has been able to open up their game plan with the help of Francis Mauigoa and Rueben Bain Jr. on the offensive line and defensive line. This aspect of the game is making it easy for Carson Beck to play in a clean pocket and allow the defense to dominate opposing offenses.
Rob Weaver: Control, often dominance, of the line of scrimmage leading to control, often dominance, of the run game on both sides of the ball. Florida’s run game was its strength, and the front seven really stepped to shut that down in all but one third quarter drive. On the offensive side of the ball, regardless if Beck is playing like it’s 2023 or 2024, you have a stable or backs prepared to violently take 4 yards and turn it into 8. Until a team can stop that, Miami is going to be favored to win.
Jordan Lopez: I have seen the best offensive and defensive lines in the country dominate for four weeks. There is a real argument to be made that Rueben Bain Jr. is not only the best defensive player in the country, but just simply the best in the country, regardless of position. I’ve seen a run game that has been very good and is a slow death for the opposing defense. After watching FSU and its run defense against Virginia, Miami should have a great day on the ground again. Miami has shown a lot in four games, and it was against quality opponents, too. I am very confident in this roster and team.
QUESTION 8: What have you seen from Miami that makes you think the Canes could lose against Florida State?
Underwood: A bit too much conservativism, which Mario Cristobal is wont to do. A LOT of pre-snap and procedural penalties (I know Cristobal blames a bunch of these on the opponent doing illegal things, but the sheer number of these issues is concerning, regardless of the impetus). A couple of blown coverages. A couple of missed run fits. And, extended droughts from the offense after starting games strong. Sure, those are small issues with limited sample sizes, but for team with Miami’s talent and expectations, I’m perfectly fine with nitpicking.
Dottavio: If Mario Cristobal goes back in his shell like he did vs. ND and UF and the offense stalls. You start to get one kick return, blocked punt or deep bomb away from being in a close game that shouldn’t be that close. Settling for FG’s instead of TD’s is another example. Shannon Dawson needs to be allowed to put his foot on the throats of the FSU defense.
Smith: Lapses in intensity and production against Notre Dame and Florida. I haven’t seen four awesome quarters yet, and another prolonged stretch could eventually bite them. They have to keep their foot on the gas foran entire 60 minutes of game time.
Schiffman: Turnovers and giving up big plays. Miami has taken care of the football well so far this season. And their defense has kept explosive plays to a minimum. That said, FSU has the talent and coaching to take advantage of lapses in all three phases of the game. The Canes can’t fumble, need to cover kicks well, and cannot fall asleep in the back seven on defense. This season’s Seminoles team is one that thrives on big plays. Those HAVE to be limited.
Michaels: FSU did beat Bama on their home field. Miami is also on the road for the 1st time all season, so how will they handle travel and the crowd noise. That could be a huge factor, especially if Miami gets off to a slow start.
Marcus: They regressed slightly against the Gators but they ended up breaking the game open in the fourth. That is typically a game Cristobal would have lost by folding under pressure (think Georgia Tech choke job, or even Syracuse last year). As long as Cristobal can maintain what he’s been implementing with the 2025 roster, then I’m not concerned but even the Gators’ first three quarters was too close for comfort and could have easily spiraled.
Weaver: Every game from here until the post-season is about Miami and only Miami. The Hurricanes are the only team who can beat themselves. To that end, I’m a little worried how Miami performs coming out of a bye week. The team had developed a nice rhythm with “hell” practices on Tuesday and Wednesday only to refocus and recover by gameday. How does Miami adapt to the extra time off? Will we see the Hurricanes come out flat or fresh?
Lopez: If I really had to pinpoint something, it would be the lack of consistency in the offense. We’ll look dominant in three-straight drives, but the next two would be super conservative play-calling. Now, is there a possibility that Shanon Dawson has been holding back and saving something for this FSU game? Possibly. But that is something that will be in the back of my mind for this game. I also understand that this defense has been tremendous thus far, but this Seminoles’ running game is something we haven’t seen before. Gus Malzahn is a wizard and has transformed this Noles offense, and I am a bit worried about it. If the Canes’ defense can get stops against him, the sky is the limit for this defense.
QUESTION 9: Who needs to step up for Miami to win?
Underwood: Easy answer is everybody. But, with specificity, I need Carson Beck and the passing game to step up, the defensive line to continue to be the elite unit they’ve been through 4 games, and the linebackers to fit the run against the Malzahn offense with consistency and physicality. And I need Mario Cristobal to go against his penchant to turtle/play conservative and open things up.
Dottavio: Mario Cristobal. He’s the CEO. The squad needs to be dialed in, focused, and he needs to stop going into a shell and just let the OC and DC play ball. He can’t mismanage the clock or timeouts, either.
Smith: Miami’s defensive front. Generally, I feel good about Miami being able to move the ball and score points. If the FSU defense I saw against Virginia is more of the real thing that the one from the Alabama game, Miami will be fine. But being able to bottle up the run, put the game all on Castellanos, and contain him is the most crucial aspect of the game in my opinion.
Schiffman: I’ll say Carson Beck. He wasn’t as bad as his numbers showed against the Gators, but he definitely wasn’t good. He missed too many throws and had an interception. Hopefully the bye week gave him some time to reset and find some holes in FSU’s fast and aggressive defense. I expect Beck to come out prepared and look sharp. He is going to want to beat the Seminoles in his only season at Miami.
Michaels: Carson Beck! he came to Miami with huge game experience in the SEC, so it is time for him to have a monster game. Miami hasn’t needed a hug passing game to start 4-0, but I have a feeling FSU will do everything to stop the run, so Carson and the WR’s need to play well.
Marcus: Carson Beck. He looked flat against the Gators and needs to continue with his Heisman trajectory for this team to be a serious contender. The rushing attack has been putting this team in a good position offensively but the wideouts need to be more consistently incorporated. Freshman Malachi Toney is quickly becoming a fan favorite and this is a game where he could put on a show.
Weaver: The defensive front seven. FSU prides itself on its run game, and Castellanos is not good enough to guide a pass-focused FSU offense. I feel good that Miami’s offense is good for 24+, so making the FSU offense one dimensional should be key to victory.
Lopez: Carson Beck. He has been good for Miami, but we need a vintage performance from him. He hasn’t been asked to do much, but he may be needed on Saturday night. I know his elbow hasn’t looked bad four games into the season, but I still worry if he lacks some zip on the ball. If we see the Beck of 2023 come out and put the Noles to bed, the hype will reach an all-time high for Miami. Beck needs to step up for Miami to win, and I believe he does.
QUESTION 10: What about Florida State concerns you heading into this game?
Underwood: I mean, they did beat Alabama, so there’s that. And, Doak Campbell stadium is gonna be keyed up for a primetime night game for the latest installment of this rivalry. From a player perspective, Thomas Castellanos’s ability to make plays off script with his legs is a potential challenge, and freshman receiver/track star Micahi Danzy has game-breaking speed for the Noles. Miami has to account for him on every single snap.
Dottavio: Home, night game after being shocked by UVA. They could focus back up and come out to play. I just don’t think they’ll learn to tackle in a week. But Norvell could dial up onside kicks, fake punts, and trick plays that get them in a game they shouldn’t be in.
Smith: As I wrote about in Monday Musings, I don’t think the loss to Virginia will really create more reason to be motivated coming into this game for FSU, but at night at home will be a wild environment. This is also the first time this particular Miami team has gone on the road and had to work together in a deafening environment. Add in Castellanos’ wild-card ability and Duce Robinson being a true game breaker, and the upset potential is there.
Schiffman: Their offense playing at home. FSU looked great the first three weeks of this season, all home games. Coincidence? Probably not. Malzahn and Castellanos will be ready to play and looking to make plays against what has been a great Miami defense through September. I don’t want the Canes getting into a shootout with a talented FSU offense in Doak Campbell.
Michaels: Home game, and a lot of hype. They can right their season with a win over Miami, so FSU will come ready to play. They also can hit big plays, and Miami has given up a few to Notre Dame and to USF. Miami must play all their keys and not let window dressing pre-snap fool them and the Canes will be fine.
Marcus: Castellanos has some big play capabilities so if he is able to extend plays and put the Canes defense on their heels, then the Noles could have a shot… I would be surprised if this turns out to be a reality as the Canes’ secondary continues to improve every week and have contained dual threat quarterbacks in DJ Lagway and Byrum Brown so far this season.
Weaver: Cornered animal syndrome. One of two things will happen after a big loss – either the Seminoles dig in and fight like they’re a national title contender playing at home, or they will fold like a cheap shirt and Saturday will be the start of a nasty slide for the Seminoles.
Lopez: Gus Malzahn and his running game. Whenever he has had a running quarterback, his offenses have been fantastic. He has one at FSU, and the offense has been good for the Noles. They can have their inconsistent lapses from time to time due to the quarterback not being that good, but Malzahn is one of the best offensive minds in college football. This is the ultimate test for Corey Hetherman and this defense. If they pass this test, I’ll declare them the best defense in the country. I have high regard for Malzahn and his offense. This will be such a fun matchup.
QUESTION 11: Which Florida State player(s) are you concerned about heading into Saturday’s game?
Underwood: I guess I jumped the gun with my answer to the last question, but Castellanos, receiver Micahi Danzy, the latest 7ft tall receiver up there: Duce Robinson, and on defense, former Miami player Darrell Jackson Jr, and Earl Little Jr, the wayward Miami legacy.
Dottavio: Castellanos. If he can run around and maximize the scramble drill Miami could be in trouble. I think the FSU offense can score it’s the FSU defense I don’t have that much faith in. Then again, Beck isn’t the scrambler that Morris is and the ‘Noles have a pass rush.
Smith: Everyone is saying Castellanos, and I agree. But FSU wins if Robinson has a monster game. They have to account for him on every snap and focus their pass defense on stopping him. I like Miami’s prospects of slowing down their rushing attack – even though Gavin Sawchuk and Ousmane Kromah are tough to tackle. Castellnos’ scrambling ability and Robinson’s big play potential are what gives me pause.
Schiffman: Castellanos. He is FSU’s offense. He makes their running and passing game go. He can throw on the run. He is comfortable when the pocket breaks down and he has to improvise. He has a chip on his shoulder and wants to beat the best teams he plays. He is probably the best quarterback Miami faces this season. He must be stopped!
Michaels: Duce Robinson. Dude is huge and showed against UVA that he can run the entire route tree. Miami may need to bracket him especially in 3rd down situations. Castellanos will look his way as his 1st read almost every play.
Marcus: Castellanos is the biggest wildcard as he could breakout for a massive performance or continue to make some mistakes and play volatile football (two picks in the UVA loss). One player who has been underwhelming this year that could help him thrive is Tennessee transfer Squirrel White, a player that had some dominant performances in SEC play with multiple 10+ reception games.
Weaver: Former Hurricane Darrell Jackson Jr, who was FSU’s only preseason first-team All ACC selection. This game will be a “who did it better” contest between run-focused offenses. If FSU slows down Marty, Mark, and Jordan, I expect that Darrell Jackson Jr. played a significant role in clogging those interior lanes.
Lopez: Tommy Castellanos. It’s not because of his passing ability, but because of his threat in the run game. Miami has historically struggled with dual-threat QBs, and Castellanos can present problems for the Canes. Now, times are different, and I understand that. But with Malzahn running the show for FSU, he knows how to make running quarterbacks a threat to opposing defenses.
Alright guys. You know the drill: share your thoughts (or thoughts about our thoughts) in the comments section.
And don’t you worry: game predictions are coming tomorrow.
