No. 23 Florida State (3-2, 0-2 ACC) at No. 10 Miami (4-0, 1-0), 8 p.m. (ABC)
Line: Miami by 3.
Series Record: Miami leads 31-29.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Miami can end a six-game slide against its biggest rival and hand the Seminoles their first back-to-back losses since 2011. Florida State knows realistic hopes of winning the ACC’s Atlantic Division are likely gone, but the Seminoles are still in championship contention - the unofficial state championship, anyway.
KEY MATCHUP
Florida State RB Dalvin Cook vs. Miami’s linebackers. Cook has broken Miami’s heart with go-ahead touchdowns in the final minutes of the games in 2014 and 2015. Miami’s freshmen linebackers have been impressive, but they haven’t faced anyone like Cook yet and if he gets into the second level on a regular basis the Hurricanes will be in trouble.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Florida State: DE DeMarcus Walker. A big-time player who always shows up in big-time games, and he has a chance to finish his career at Florida State with a perfect record against Miami.
Miami: QB Brad Kaaya. The Hurricanes’ most important player has put up big numbers in his first two matchups against Florida State, only to see a win slip away in the final minutes both times. He’ll need to be great on Saturday.
FACTS & FIGURES
Miami comes into this week as one of only two teams in major college football to not face a deficit this season, Boise State being the other. … Florida State could match its longest winning streak against Miami if it prevails for a seventh straight time on Saturday. … The Seminoles haven’t lost a road game against the Hurricanes since 2004. … Miami has not allowed a single point in a first or fourth quarter so far this season. … Members of Miami’s 1991 national championship team are expected to be honored at halftime, commemorating the 25th anniversary of their title. … Mark Richt will try for his 150th career win and look to become the fourth coach to start his Miami tenure 5-0. … Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher is 43-11 in ACC games.
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AP college football website: https://collegefootball.ap.org
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