The Miami Hurricanes continued their breakout 2024 season with an impressive 7-0 record last Saturday, securing a 52-45 win over the Louisville Cardinals.
The undefeated Hurricanes, in second place in the ACC behind the Clemson Tigers, now stand on the cusp of a critical rivalry matchup against Florida State at Hard Rock Stadium Saturday. And though Miami has lost three straight to the Seminoles, the Hurricanes opened as 19.5-point favorites at DraftKings Sportsbook.
A closer look at some Miami’s top storylines heading into Florida State Week:
CAM WARD: THE PASSING PRODIGY
Cam Ward has emerged as a standout player this season, leading the nation in passing yards per game at 369.8 and solidifying his status as a Heisman Trophy contender.
In their seven-point victory over Louisville, Ward showed his skills, completing 21 of 32 passes for 319 yards and throwing four touchdown passes. His ability to make crucial plays in high-pressure situations has been a cornerstone of Miami’s success.

“At the end of the day, we just have to continue doing the little things,” Ward said of the offensive line’s shared effort. “If we do the little things right, all the other explosive plays take care of themselves.”
With a potent offensive arsenal and the confidence of his teammates, Ward is not just leading the Hurricanes, he’s redefining the quarterback position in college football.
DEFENSIVE OBSTACLES APLENTY
Despite the Hurricanes’ offensive prowess, the defense has faced scrutiny, particularly in high-scoring ACC contests.
Miami’s recent games have featured tight scorelines, with the defense allowing explosive plays that have kept opponents in the game. In the matchup against Louisville, the Hurricanes surrendered multiple touchdowns, including a rapid-fire response that tied the game in the third quarter.
The consistency and resilience of the defense will be vital as they approach rival Florida State, known for its unpredictable offense.
“That’s the stuff that we’ve got to get cleaned up and get better at. People are going to make plays. We’re allowing a few too many,” Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal said regarding the close games. “But it’s not a matter of, like, we’re not working at it. We’re working extremely hard at it.”

CANES CLIMBING THE COACHES’ RANKS
In maintaining their offensive success at Louisville, Miami kept its No. 6 spot in this week’s Associated Press Top 25, and the Hurricanes moved to fifth in the Coaches Poll, though they rank 10th in ESPN’s Football Power Index.
The Hurricanes are the highest-ranked ACC team, ahead of Clemson, Pittsburgh and SMU, but they will not face any of those opponents in the regular season.
Three Miami players — defensive lineman Rueben Bain and wide receivers Samuel Brown and Xavier Restrepo — earned spots on the Pro Football Focus All-ACC Week 8 team for their standout performances against the Cardinals. Restrepo, the ACC’s leader in receiving yards, and Brown each surpassed 100 yards receiving and added touchdowns in win.
With Ward at the helm of talented players with only a single goal in mind, the Hurricanes are in a favorable position as they head into what is still their biggest rivalry game, though the struggling Seminoles are 1-6.
While challenges remain, particularly on defense, Miami’s offensive capabilities and improved focus could pave the way for a pivotal win, reinforcing their status as a powerhouse in this new era of college football.