It’s rivalry week, so it’s time to talk Canes-Noles

Welcome back to rivalry week! The Miami Hurricanes face off against the rival Florida State Seminoles for the 2024 installment of the series between the teams. And, with Miami-FSU on deck, we convened the SOTU crew for our annual roundtable discussion about, well, pretty much everything heading into the game.

Question 1: Miami has been tested but keeps winning and enters this game at 7-0 (3-0 ACC) and ranked #5. How are you feeling about things heading into this year’s rivalry game against FSU?

Cam Underwood: Honestly, I feel great. We’ll get to those bums from Leon county in a bit, but Miami is playing well and continues to find ways to win. No, it hasn’t been perfect, but the undefeated record is. And, to be honest, Miami hasn’t even played their best game fully yet. But with the best QB in the country, the best offense in the country, playmakers at every level in all phases of the game, there’s plenty of foundation for my great emotions to this point of the season.

Justin Dottavio: Pretty, pretty, pretty good. During the summer, Cal was my trap game test and Louisville was my first predicted loss and Miami survived them both. Miami’s offense went from the stone age under Josh Gattis to finally entering the real world in 2024. Thanks to Cam Ward.

Marshall Thomas: To be honest, I feel pretty great, as I’m sure most Canes fans do. The last three games have been challenging, but the fact that Miami came out still undefeated, gives me all the confidence I need. Obviously, most of it has to do with Cam Ward, but I think the whole team gets up for this game.

KappaCane: Undefeated, lol… they say it’s better to be lucky than good, and with Miami I think there’s a bit of both. The team leads the nation in nearly every offensive category but the defense has struggled in the last 3 games. I think we catch our second wind this week and get back to playing cleaner games defensively.

Craig T. Smith: Feels pretty damned good to see Miami’s name up there in the top 5-6 again. That being said, I want to see a dominating defensive performance again before I really start to feel very good about this team. That side of the ball just hasn’t been good enough. But hey, what better team to get your swagger back against than one of the worst offenses in the country in FSU?

Mike Schiffman: I feel really good. The team I root for has the best offense in the country led by the best player in the country. The secondary does make me nervous for bigger possible matchups down the road. That’s my only nitpick though. For Miami to be 7-0 with the remaining schedule they have, I couldn’t ask for a better start.

Jake Marcus: Very solid heading into an inferior FSU. Not so solid if Miami keeps playing how they have the last three weeks heading into postseason play. Now, Miami has played very sound football and outplayed their opponents in ACC play. However, the scoreboard has not reflected that. That is, even though the Canes are dominating, they are keeping opponents in it wayyy too long (sometimes down to the last whistle). Would be ideal if they aren’t frequently leaving it in the refs control, or letting inferior opponents stick around. So, Miami should be fine against FSU, but that’s not saying much this year. They need to keep the intensity high into postseason play.

Rob Weaver: I predicted 9-3 at the start of the season, so I’m over the moon ecstatic at a 7-0 start to the season. It’s a bit of a bummer that FSU is having a historically down year, as it would have been nice if…I’m sorry I can’t finish that sentence with a straight face. This season is all the sweeter seeing FSU and Florida playing like garbage.

Question 2: Cam Ward is statistically the best QB in America, and undefeated at Miami. What are your thoughts on Miami’s QB situation heading into FSU?

Underwood: I mean, the answer is in the question. After suffering through Tyler Van Dyke (and many other QBs with intermittent success), the upgrade to Ward has been transformational. He leads the country in passing yards and TDs, has engineered 2 massive comebacks, and plays with a calm swagger that is unmatched. And, his celebration is taking over the world. It’s GREAT!!!

Dottavio: This is kind of ticky-tack but I do with there were more easy wins so the backups could get playing time. Teams are all a twisted ankle away from needing a capable backup and I’m not sure Reese Poffenbarger and Emory Williams can provide even half the spark Ward does.

Thomas: I believe Cam Ward was built for these type of games. The difference that he’s made with this program has been absolutely tremendous. I would have never thought that in mid October, the best quarterback in college football resides in Coral Gables.

Kappa: I think Cam is the best QB in College Football thus far into the season. Beyond his play on the field, he’s a leader and inspires those around him to get on his level. His calm demeanor is rubbing off on the team and you see a very business like approach to each game from him and his teammates.

Smith: What else is there to think, except my God, this is awesome. I only wish it was Ward doing this here for more than one year. Since that’s not the case, I’m trying to celebrate each game and enjoy it as much as I can. Who knows when greatness like this will come to Coral Gables again?

Schiffman: It’s so much fun rooting for Cam Ward. The Canes are never out of a game with him under center. That Cal comeback was incredible. It’s a shame Ward will only be in Coral Gables for one season, but I am enjoying every second of the ride. Behind Ward, Emory Williams has looked good in brief action, mostly against a terrible Ball State team. Who knows who will be Miami’s starting QB for 2025? Also, who cares? It’s 2024 and Cam Ward’s year on top of the college football world.

Marcus: Incredibly exciting. Cam Ward is the best quarterback in the nation and, in my opinion, it’s not really even close. He’s elevating the entire roster and should really be the first overall pick for the NFL Draft in 2025. He is the greatest Miami QB the Canes have seen in not just years, but decades. His freelancing skills are amazing, but it’s a catch-22 as it has sometimes led to untimely turnovers. As long as he cleans that up a bit, it doesn’t get much better than Ward at the college level.

Weaver: Ward’s trajectory at least puts him in New York for the Heisman ceremony, if not winning the whole croquetta, but the “quarterback situation” behind Ward is pretty solid should an injury hit our Heisman contender. Emory showed significant improvement in his one appearance against Ball State (11/12, 161 yds, 1 TD), and while Poffenbarger might be less talented he’s a veteran transfer that has shown command of the playbook in his relief appearances. If Ward went down, I would feel comfortable that the offense wouldn’t collapse behind either backup, and I cannot remember the last time I felt that way.

Question 3: Florida State is 1-6 (1-3 ACC), and a far cry from the undefeated team they were heading into this game last year. What are your impressions of FSU on the field this season?

Underwood: They suck. Real bad. I’d call this a shell of the team they were last year, but that’s disrespectful to shells. I’ve been very vocal about FSU’s roster building methodology for many years. Now everyone is seeing what I’ve been saying: this team is terrible. I delight in each and every failure they have. It’s truly a joy to watch.

Dottavio: Any time you throw the chips all in on one season (LSU 2019) the next year it will be extremely difficult to replicate that success. FSU wasn’t building a dynasty they were aiming for one big season. They’re terrible right now and look completely disjointed in all three phases.

Thomas: I cannot believe that we’re sitting here and FSU is 1-6, it’s absolutely baffling. Also, it’s kind of sad. I so wish that Florida State had been winning leading up to this game, the rivalry is always more fun when both teams are ranked and playing well. You would’ve thought that the program was going in the right direction, especially after last season.

Kappa: Complete and utter disaster. I was hopeful that they would have dropped the Cal game too, but alas here we are. I hope we pound them into submission this weekend and restore order amongst the kingdom. #NoSympathy

Smith: Beyond my wildest expectation they’d be 1-6. But, hey, they are, so let’s enjoy it. I stayed up and watched the Duke game last week hoping they’d lose. I want the Canes to be the ones to knock them out of bowl contention before Halloween arrives. As much misery as their fans have given Miami over the years, I hope their run of futility continues through the rest of the season (hopefully 1-11) and on for years to come.

Schiffman: I was dubious of the #10 preseason ranking. The Seminoles lost a lot of talent from last year’s roster and the incoming transfers didn’t seem to be on the same level. Specifically, and I don’t want to sound mean, but I was never a believer of DJ Uiagalelei. His best season was as a freshman when he was surrounded by A TON of talent and a really good coaching staff at Clemson. It’s been all downhill from there, and now he’s hurt. There are too many negatives to list for a roundtable article. I do have a question for Seminoles fans: Are you happy with a coach who leads your team to three losing seasons out of his first five?

Marcus: They had a mass exodus of talent last year when they “wOn ThE nAtIoNaL tItLe.” However, I did not envision it’d be this horrendous. That said, DJ Uiagalelei did not exude much confidence at any moment as a college football player – it’s still incredible he was ranked higher than CJ Stroud as a high school prospect. He is awful. The next question is, where does this leave Mike Norvell’s future? Maybe FSU can do a one-for-one trade for Florida Gators’ Billy Napier!

Weaver: Perhaps the greatest waste of blue-chip talent in modern football history. I’ve been telling everyone that will listen that Mike Norvell is safe for at least one year following an undefeated regular season, but nobody could have predicted a 1-6 start. This will be Mike Norvell’s 3rd season with a losing record out of five total season. Notwithstanding last year’s success, FSU would be well justified to move on from this trainwreck.

Question 4: Miami enters this year’s game against FSU as a 3 touchdown favorite. What would it take for Miami to earn victory against the Noles?

Underwood: Honestly, Miami just needs to be themselves, handle business, and move on. This is a huge mismatch in Miami’s favor, and the Canes need to play like it. Cut down on the turnovers. Stop the stupid penalties. Fix the coverage busts that have plagued this team over the last 3 games, and it’s an easy clap. I honestly and truly, unless Miami gifts FSU 30+ points, and loses half the roster to injury, even their C game should be enough for Miami to earn victory over THIS FSU team.

Dottavio: Miami should outright win this thing by 14+. Don’t fall into the trap of penalties, trash talk, the midfield logo fight stuff. There’s no reason to get ejected for multiple games over a 1-6 FSU team. This will be the true sign of mental toughness- staying focused on the task at hand under duress and temptation.

Thomas: Miami is good enough to beat this team by three touchdowns. I think they just need to come out there with the same mentality they had going into the Florida game. If Miami come out fast, scoring early, this FSU team will quit.

Kappa: Continue to play our brand of football. We’ve been able to score on anyone, and FSU will undoubtedly challenge us early. Just go out and play our game and not worry about the opponent.

Smith: Avoid mistakes. The only way I see FSU winning this game is if Cam Ward hands them gifts and short fields and/or if Miami’s defense whiffs on tackles and busts coverages for huge plays that FSU has had almost none of this year. As long as Miami avoids the big mistake, its talent and coaching will overcome on both sides of the ball.

Schiffman: Miami needs to come out swinging on offense and get a nice first-half lead. I think that would be disheartening for FSU. The Canes’ offense needs to avoid turnovers and Cam Ward needs to avoid any bad throws. He also needs to avoid any big or late hits. On defense, the secondary needs to force some early incompletions so as not to give FSU’s young QBs confidence they can consistently move the ball. As bad as the Seminoles are this year, I am still nervous for this Saturday night.

Marcus: This is a huge opportunity for the Canes to clean up the ACC play mistakes and straight up dominate. Now, anything can happen in a rivalry game, but Miami has an opportunity to return the favor after losing three straight to FSU – one by a 45-3 margin. Miami needs to go straight for the jugular and never let up.

Weaver: It would be a historically bad upset for Miami to lose on Saturday, and I cannot contemplate the number of mistakes, injuries, and errors that would have to stack on top of each other not to come away with the victory. Even 2022 Middle Tennessee State and 2019 FIU, two of the worst defeats in program history, were bowl eligible teams.

Question 5: FSU’s QB situation is a bit of an issue for the Noles this year. What are your thoughts on what you’ve seen from their QBs, including the one(s) you expect to play against Miami?

Underwood: First, let us not forget that FSU fans said they intentionally chose DJ Uiagalelei over Cam Ward for this season. L-M-A-O. Sure, you want a career 58% passer over the best QB in CFB. Uiagalelei was never it, and then he got hurt and is out for the season. Brock Glenn and Luke Kromenhoek were both blue chip recruits, but are very green as redshirt and true freshmen, respectively. They’ll be the ones playing on Saturday, and they’ll experience a mismatch unlike any they’ve seen so far. They might hit a couple plays because they do have talent, but I expect Miami to have either or both of them in the torture chamber for the full game.

Dottavio: Brock Glenn is a lot like Emory Williams. He can throw up a few miracle throws that go for big plays but the clarity confidence and conviction never seems there. Their run game is hit or miss, too, which doesn’t help. The “best OL in the nation” hasn’t lived up to the billing either. There aren’t many QB developers left in CFB that know how to work with a freshman and build them up, I thought Norvell was one.

Thomas: I’m going to be completely honest, I’ve only watched some FSU football so far this season. Having said that, I haven’t been overly impressed by any of the options they’ve thrown out there. Brock Glenn and Luke Kromenhoek could be decent QB’s in the future, but I think that’s a couple years away. I’m hoping to see whoever they put out there on Saturday, to be running for his life.

Kappa: Don’t know, Don’t Care, just win baby!

Smith: I hadn’t seen much FSU football, but DJU was all I’d seen until last week, and it was really bad. I wondered why Brock Glenn hadn’t been starting, but then his first half against Duke showed me why. Whether Glenn or Luke Kromenhoek, I’m not particularly worried about either on Saturday.

Schiffman: I watched the last quarter and-a-half of the Duke game. I can’t say I was impressed by either of FSU’s young QBs. Brock Glenn threw a couple interceptions, then true freshman Luke Kromenhoek came in and didn’t seem ready to play in a conference game on the road. I couldn’t be less scared of either guy. I guess we’ll see what coach Norvell dials up for them.

Marcus: It never really seemed like DJ Uiagalelei was a high level QB and his high school prospect grade was a reach at all times. He did play well at Oregon State but that is looking like a product of his environment benefit. The two young QBs, Brock Glenn and Luke Kromenhoek, do not seem ready either. Could be a lot of sacks and interceptions on Saturday night.

Weaver: DJ Uiagalelei has regressed spectacularly from his last two seasons at Oregon State and Clemson. I’ve never seen anything like it, discounting injuries. But it doesn’t really matter for Saturday since Uiagalelei is still recovering from mid-season surgery on his throwing hand. His replacement, Brock Glenn, isn’t any better. True freshman Luke Kromenhoek also saw limited action against Duke last Friday, but the moment was clearly too big for the teenager.

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Some good answers, and some thought-provoking points about this week’s Miami-FSU matchup.

Keep the conversation going in the comments below. Roundtable part 2 drops later today.

Go Canes