ACC action pits Seminoles against Hurricanes

Miami Gardens, FL (SportsNetwork.com) – Sunshine State rivals collide at Sun Life Stadium on Saturday evening, as the second-ranked Florida State Seminoles take on the Miami Hurricanes in an ACC showdown.

Jimbo Fisher’s Seminoles are sitting in the driver’s seat in the ACC Atlantic Division. The defending national champions haven’t lost since the 2012 season and ran the nation’s longest win streak to an ACC-record 25 straight games, with last weekend’s 34-20 win over Virginia. A win in this game or a Clemson loss to Georgia Tech will clinch the Atlantic Division crown for the 9-0 Seminoles, who are 6-0 in the ACC.

Al Golden’s Hurricanes are bowl eligible thanks to three straight victories. Miami was idle last weekend following a 47-20 win over North Carolina on Nov. 1. Miami still has an outside shot at the Coastal Division title, although the Hurricanes will need tons of help. Miami is 3-2 in league play, trailing both Duke (4-1) and Georgia Tech (5-2) in the division.

Following the UNC win, Golden addressed the team’s strong play of late.

“Obviously, we’ve settled in,” Golden said. “We’ve kind of settled in to who we are.”

Miami holds a 31-27 lead in the all-time series with Florida State, although the Seminoles blew out the Hurricanes last season in Tallahassee, 41-14. FSU is a perfect 4-0 against Miami with Fisher as head coach.

The Seminoles aren’t putting up the gaudy offensive numbers they did a year ago en route to the national title, but the team is still getting it done at a high level, averaging 37.9 ppg on 44.9.8 ypg. The ground game has been stymied at times, but the passing attack has picked up the slack, averaging a hefty 319.9 yards per game.

Reigning Heisman winner Jameis Winston is also off his 2013 pace, but is still completing an impressive 66.7 percent of his passes, for 2,540 yards. However, his 17 touchdowns against 11 interceptions is a little disappointing.

The player on offense for FSU that is not disappointing is wideout Rashad Greene. One of the ACC’s best receivers, Green has grabbed 71 balls, for 989 yards and five TDs thus far. He has seven 100-yard performances this season and is already the school’s all-time leader in receptions (242), while closing in on school records for receiving yards and touchdowns.

The rushing attack is averaging a modest 129.9 ypg, but tailback Karlos Williams is a dangerous runner, with 520 yards and nine TDs on the year.

FSU’s defensive numbers are modest as well compared to last year’s stingy unit. The Seminoles are allowing 22.4 ppg and 374.0 yards of total offense.

Still, there are playmakers at each level. Linebackers Reggie Northrup (team- high 72 tackles) and Terrance Smith (66 tackles) lead the way in stops. The secondary is headlined by defensive backs Jalen Ramsey (57 tackles, 7.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks), 1 INT) and P.J. Williams ((38 tackles, 4.0 TFL, 1 sack, 1 INT), while Mario Edwards Jr. (31 tackles, 10.0 TFL, 3.0 sacks) and Eddie Goldman (28 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 4.0 sacks) are difference makers up the field.

The Hurricanes are on a bit of a roll right now, thanks in large part to a balanced offensive attack that is generating 436.9 yards per game. Miami’s ground game is strong at 199.3 yards per game, while the passing attack has been solid at 237.6 yards per game.

Tailback Duke Johnson is one of the ACC’s best. Johnson is averaging 134.8 yards per game and has amassed 1,213 yards and nine TDs thus far. He had 177 yards and three TDs against North Carolina last time out. Already No. 2 in school history in rushing (3,080), Johnson needs just 252 yards to pass Ottis Anderson (3,331) for first all-time.

Coach Fisher has high praise for Miami’s dynamic running back.

“He’s as good as anybody we’ve played against,” Fisher said. “You don’t realize how strong he is. Even though he’s a shorter guy – very strong in his hips and legs. Very quick body movements, very fast.”

Freshman quarterback Brad Kaaya has played well despite his youth, completing 61.8 percent of his throws, fir 2,087 yards and 20 TDs. The team features multiple options in the passing game, including tight end Clive Walford (29 rec, 395 yds, 6 TDs), Johnson (21 rec, 273 yds, 2 TDs) and wideout Phillip Dorsett (19 rec, 572 yds, 6 TDs).

The Miami defense has played well for the most part this season, limiting foes to just 312.4 yards of total offense, while showing a real penchant for stopping the pass. The team ranks 10th nationally in pass defense, giving up just 180.6 yards per game.

Senior linebacker Denzel Perryman is the centerpiece of the Miami defense. One of the ACC’s top defensive playmakers, Perryman has recorded 72 total tackles, with 2 sacks, 1 INT and 2 FF. Fellow senior linebacker Thurston Armbrister (42 tackles), has been relentless in his upfield pursuit, with 7.0 TFL and 5.0 sacks, both teams-highs.

Categorized in: NCAA Football