Miami Hurricanes Week 8 Preview: Florida State Seminoles

Miami, Florida – The date everyone was waiting for has arrived, the Miami Hurricanes will now host the Florida State Seminoles at Hardrock Stadium. Fans have welcomed rivalry week with a lot of enthusiasm. The Canes look to continue their unbeaten streak and get revenge for last year’s defeat. If you want to be technical, FSU has won the previous three meetings including the 45-3 spanking back in 2022. Fortunately for The U, times have dramatically changed.

Team Leaders in QB Pressures This Season💪 pic.twitter.com/Ms7s5NJDv1

— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 24, 2024

In less than a year, the Seminoles went from going undefeated and getting trounced by Georgia in the Capital One Orange Bowl to 1-6 overall (1-5, ACC) nabbing the dubious distinction of being the first program to go from tenth-ranked in the country during the preseason to dropping out entirely in the first week of the AP Top 25 Rankings. The Seminoles limp into the contest on a three-game losing streak after falling to Duke 23-16. Their only victory was during week 4 over California. Miami is heavily favored but the players aren’t looking at their opponents’ record nor should they. Here are the players to watch.

Florida State

DJ Uiagalelei

DJ Uiagalelei could overthrow Castro and the Cuban government pic.twitter.com/DJ1PMslOFY

— Geo Milian (@GeoMilian) September 3, 2024

Remember how much hype FSU fans had for DJ Uiagalelei? Fast forward to now and it’s safe to say Uiagalelei is not the guy to lead Florida State to greatness. The former Clemson and Oregon State quarterback sits on 1,065 yards, four TDs, and six interceptions. Numbers that are not impressive. However, Uiagalelei did have success the last time he faced Miami. In 2022 he led the Tigers to a 40-10 victory throwing for 233 yards and two touchdowns adding a third on the ground. DJ also turned the ball over twice. The circumstances were different then.

Ja’khi Douglas

VIDEO: Florida State redshirt senior wide receiver Ja’Khi Douglas has been a consistent weapon throughout his career with the Seminoles.

Even in a 2024 campaign where the Seminoles’ offense has struggled, he has recorded 22 receptions for 354 yards and two touchdowns. pic.twitter.com/gxgJBqd3QC

— Norvell Central (@CentralNorvell) October 23, 2024

There are two wide receivers the QB will turn to. The first is Ja’khi Douglas. The redshirt senior has 22 receptions for 354 yards and two touchdowns. Against Duke, he caught four passes for 48 yards without a trip to the endzone. Although Miami’s secondary has struggled lately, Douglas might experience a quiet Saturday night especially if Uiagalelei has trouble hitting his receivers. He’s known to overthrow, after all.

Malik Benson

Brock Glenn hits Malik Benson for an Explosive Play, but it’s called back by an Andre’ Otto Penalty pic.twitter.com/0NjkGhoj0A

— Clay Fink (@clay_fink) October 6, 2024

This is DJ’s other go-to wideout. Malik Benson tallied 231 yards on 19 catches so far this campaign but hasn’t recorded a touchdown. Not yet, anyway. The Crimson Tide transfer only had one catch last weekend for seven yards. His best game was versus Memphis in mid-September when he made five catches for 99 yards. Benson will be another key to FSU’s offense and any hope to at least be competitive in the first two quarters against Miami.

Miami

Cam Ward

Cam Ward's stats through seven games compared to the last three Heisman winners 👀 pic.twitter.com/TqBHshORgD

— ACC Network (@accnetwork) October 23, 2024

UM’s signal caller put on a show throwing for 319 yards and four touchdowns against the Louisville Cardinals. Cam Ward now has 2,538 yards, 24 TDs, and five picks for the season widely considered a front-runner for the Heisman. There is no reason to doubt he won’t replicate these numbers versus Florida State. Many expect the Canes to run up the score and Ward will do just that kicking the Seminoles while they’re down.

Mark Fletcher

4th and 1

1st Down Mark Fletcher pic.twitter.com/EUjLnpoMcQ

— NMD Grant (@NMDgrant) October 19, 2024

Is it time for Mark Fletcher to become the lead running back? Tallying 296 yards on 50 carries including four TDs he racked up 73 of those yards against Louisville. At Cal Fletcher put up 81 yards and a touchdown. For some time now folks have been saying he’s the better option over Damien Martinez. I’m down for switching it up and giving Fletcher more reps. He averages more yards per carry and Florida State is a good chance to run wild.

Sam Brown

Sam Brown, Jr. | #ItsAllAboutTheU®
pic.twitter.com/sLlDUY1mwx

— GO ‘CANES! (@83_87_89_91_01) October 20, 2024

The Houston transfer recorded three catches against the Cardinals but he made them count chalking up 125 yards and a touchdown. Sam Brown shined making explosive plays averaging almost 42 yards a catch. He’s tallied 371 yards on 24 receptions complemented by two trips to the endzone for 2024. A WR3/4 on the UM depth chart, Brown has upside as shown in last week’s battle with Louisville versus a weak FSU.

Prediction

⚫️⚫️⚫️⚫️#GoCanes pic.twitter.com/PyZAhhqbZu

— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) October 23, 2024

I fully expect the Miami Hurricanes to run up the score on the Florida State Seminoles. The Canes will not play down to their opponent despite their abysmal record. Treat them as if they’re playing Alabama and once ahead, do not take their foot off the gas. Curiously one of DJ Uiagalelei’s best games was against UM. However, he will not find an encore performance on Saturday night. The shame of 2022 is about to be reversed. Emory Williams will be avenged. Final score: 55-13.