The No. 6 Miami Hurricanes will be favored by 21 points over the unranked Florida State Seminoles at Hard Rock Stadium Saturday. FSU is currently in the middle of one of the worst seasons in program history, while the unbeaten Hurricanes have seemingly reclaimed the national spotlight after almost two decades in the shadows.
But Miami coach Mario Cristobal says that when it comes to the rivalry between these teams, none of that matters.
“Whatever the record of any team is in this rivalry, you’re going to get the best version of them, and they’re going to get the best version of you,” he said. “And that’s what makes the game so incredibly intense and physical, and that’s why so many guys come here to play in that game.”
FSU coach Mike Norvell concurred.
“This is a game that we have an emphasis on 365 days a year,” Norvell said. “No matter where you’re from, the country’s gonna still be watching what happens in this game.
Regardless of FSU’s 1-6 record, this may be Miami’s last chance to make a significant statement until the ACC championship game. Miami’s schedule is tremendously weak the rest of the way, in fact, the 7-0 Hurricanes may not play a single ranked team in the regular season.

In addition, they haven’t looked particularly convincing in ACC play. Each of their three ACC wins have come in one-score games. That includes a Virginia Tech game-winning touchdown that was overturned on review, and a desperate last-minute drive to escape Cal with a one-point victory.
Miami has already begun to see one-loss teams ranked ahead of them, ironically the same fate Florida State suffered last season, which kept the Seminoles out of the College Football Playoff.
Part of those results are on the defense. Miami has given up 39 points per game over the last three contests. Cristobal highlighted their need to get better on that side of the ball.
“I don’t feel concern. I feel urgency,” he said. “You know for a fact that we’re better than some of the things we have shown, and that we need to be consistent.”
Outside of their records, the biggest difference between the two programs might be at the quarterback position.
Both teams welcomed high profile transfers to lead their offenses this season. Miami’s Cam Ward Has thrown for 2,538 yards and 24 touchdowns, leading the country in both measures, and is in contention for a Heisman Trophy.
“We know we’ve got a great challenge in front of us this week,” Norvell said. “He’s playing at an elite level. I mean, as good as any quarterback in the country and you see that in the confidence, the poise, and he’s able to extend plays.”

Norvell may be speaking with a twinge of jealousy. FSU’s vaunted transfer, DJ Uiagalelei, was an unmitigated disaster and benched after five games. The reins were handed over to redshirt freshman Brock Glenn, who was benched last week against Duke, after three turnovers on three straight offensive plays. He sat down in favor of true freshman Luke Kromenhoek.
It’s likely that Glenn will start under center this weekend, but Norvell was coy on whether Kromenhoek would see playing time as well.
“We’ll evaluate all things as it goes into this week on that,” he said.
For Cristobal, he wants to make sure his players embrace the rivalry, but that they don’t let the emotions get too high.
“I think it’s important that we always educate our players on the history of the University of Miami, and such an insanely awesome rivalry like we’ve always had with Florida State,” he said. “And at the same time making sure that the main thing stays the main thing so that we don’t spill over into emotional play. Stuff that doesn’t contribute to winning.”
Indeed, no matter how Vegas sees it or how listless this Seminole team has looked this year, Miami has a chance to make a statement. And the country, as always, will be watching. The game received a primetime spot on ESPN’s Saturday slate.
Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.