Expectations. Standout players. Concerns? Let’s discuss.

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Earlier today, we had the first installment of our 3 part roundtable discussion leading up to Saturday’s rivalry game between the Miami Hurricanes and Florida State Seminoles. You can see that discussion here:

We pick up where we left off this morning with the last 5 questions of our discussion. Don’t see predictions? Don’t worry. Those will be up soon.

Here’s the rest of our Roundtable discussion:

QUESTION 6: What have you seen from Miami that makes you think the Canes will win against FSU?

Cam Underwood: Everything on offense, a dominant defensive line, and talent all over the field. And, most importantly, a fierce mentality that doesn’t quit at the first sign of trouble. The mental toughness of this year’s team is the most impressive thing I’ve seen. And, employing that mentality has been key to getting to this point of the season undefeated, and that — along with the best QB and offense in the country — will lead Miami to victory on Saturday.

Justin Dottavio: Miami can outscore anyone in the country. Miami’s got the better QB and the team seems more focused and together than in the past. Now that always comes easier when you’re 1- playing much less talented teams and 2- winning. But this won’t be a ‘tough contest’ for Miami. If the ‘Canes can stay focused on the scoreboard they win by 14+.

Marshall Thomas: Everything that we’ve seen so far, but obviously it’s the offense. They’re capable of scoring over 50 points per game, no defense has come close to slowing them down so far, and their quarterback is a Heisman contender. I believe the defensive line will come ready to play, and feast on a weak FSU OL.

KappaCane: I’ve watched every snap of the season in person and that is what tells me Miami wins big. Explosive plays, determined personnel, and a revenge tour of sorts assure Miami, and Mario, will come out swinging from the coin toss.

Craig T. Smith: Miami might not control the line of scrimmage as easily as they have in other games, but they should still be able to run the ball some. It’s the chunk plays that will separate this game. If Miami hits and does basically what they’ve done all year, FSU doesn’t have the horses to hit those same big plays and keep up.

Mike Schiffman: Miami is considerably more talented than FSU this season. Besides maybe the secondary, the Canes have the better players at every position on both offense and defense. The gap between Cam Ward and the Glenn/Kromenhoek combo is the biggest of any team Miami plays this season. Beyond the talent discrepancy, the Canes seem to have the better coaches as well. OC Shannon Dawson is calling plays for the best offense in the country, while Coach Cristobal is doing well with his overall game management.

Jake Marcus: Miami has outplayed every opponent. And the way they’ve outplayed opponents is more indicative of what we saw the first four weeks as opposed to the last three weeks – score-wise. Regardless, they are 7-0 and are the most explosive offense in the country. The question should actually be “What have you seen from Miami and FSU this season that does not lead you to believe Miami will blow out FSU?” And the only answer I have to that is it is a rivalry game where kooky things could happen.

Rob Weaver: The thing is, Miami has enough depth now at virtually every position on offense that even a wave of injuries or underperformances shouldn’t stop them against FSU. Miami is 5-deep at the running back position, 7-deep at the WR position, 3-deep at the TE position, and has at least 3 or 4 lineman ready to step into a starting role if called upon. There is no reason Miami can’t score at least 30 points against FSU, and FSU hasn’t scored more than 21 points this whole season.

QUESTION 7: What have you seen from Miami that makes you think the Canes could lose against FSU?

Underwood: Blown coverages in the secondary are the first thing that immediately come to mind. I know teams break out new schemes routinely against Miami — because Miami is everybody’s super bowl — but the myriad breakdowns at the back end of Miami’s defense are CONCERNING. Also, kick and punt coverage hasn’t been great, and hit a season-low with the KR-TD allowed at Louisville last week. But, mainly, the issues I’ve seen have been performance, not organizational structure or game operations, so I have hope those issues can be corrected.

Dottavio: Like Cam said above me, Miami is big play prone on defense. They’re either coming up with a pick or fumble recovery OR giving up a 50 yard TD throw or run. Lance Guidry went from a guy we thought would fix Manny Diaz’s run fits and poor DB communication to being another Diaz.

Also like Cam said, the kicking game is a concern. Miami has a great kicker (the best?) and a great punter but Chris Johnson Jr. just isn’t a football player yet, the punt return game is just bad, and the kick coverage unit fails when Andres Borregales doesn’t kick a touchback. Miami gave up a fake punt first down to Louisville as well.

Thomas: I think we’re all in agreement, as we’d all say the defensive backs, and the big plays they’ve given up. The Louisville game was tough to watch when the Canes were on defense, not saying that FSU’s offense is capable of doing what the Cardinals did.

Kappa: Literally nothing on the field. If I was to nit pick, I would say on the sidelines the players have a tendency to entertain the fans too much. They are winning so its a non-factor, but the moment a loss happens they’re gonna be accused of being “not focused”.

Smith: Miami’s defense has been absolutely God awful at times recently. This team’s secondary just isn’t good enough, and if FSU can find ways to exploit that, they can stay in this game.

Marcus: Nothing talent or play related but the only chance is that it is a rivalry game and/or Miami comes out complacent.

Schiffman: Miami’s secondary is my biggest concern. Having said that, FSU would have to do things on offense they haven’t done in any other game so far this season. Their QB situation is considerably worse than the teams Miami barely beat: Virginia Tech, Cal, and Louisville. I do think the Seminoles will come out aggressive on defense, but I just don’t see their offense scoring enough. A loss to this ye5gram. Only Ball State would have been a worse loss this season.

QUESTION 8: Who needs to step up for Miami to win?

Underwood: In a word: Everyone. It’s well known that Miami-FSU is an outlier game, where both teams play to a high level regardless of what they’ve previously done in the season. So, to win, everybody has to step up. From the administrative assistants to the Heisman candidate QB, everyone in the Canes Football program has to be on their A-game. And, if someone falls short of their best performance, hopefully there’s another person there to pick up the slack and make the plays needed to win.

If I have to give specificity here, I’d say the defensive secondary. They’ve been playing at a poor level recently, and they’ll need to step up. Along with Cam Ward continuing to be the best QB in the country, of course.

Dottavio: Mario Cristobal needs to continue showing he’s cleaned up his act as the head coach. He’s had less head scratchers. They kneeled vs. the Cards even if Ward fumbled the snap. They’re at least showing signs of intelligence. The penalties are still an issue, and some of that is on getting caught up in the shit talk war with the opponent. The next few games are all on Mario as the head guy to keep the team focused, dialed in, and to keep getting 1% better re the weak spots.

Thomas: Everybody on the roster, because in truth, this is still FSU, and this will always be near the top of biggest games you play at Miami. This game shouldn’t be close, and everyone on that roster better be ready to send the Seminoles back in Tallahassee in embarrassing fashion.

Kappa: The defensive secondary… several lackluster games in a row have fans complaining and coaches scratching their heads. The tackling has to improve, and the zone defense has been bad… wish we’d play more man to man.

Smith: I don’t think there’s one particular player. It’s still FSU, and Miami is going to get their best shot. If I did have to pick someone, it’s still going to be Cam Ward. If he’s on and plays his A game, I don’t see a way for FSU to win on Saturday.

Schiffman: I’ll say the secondary. They could use an interception or two to build their confidence. The offense will in all likelihood do what they do. Beyond that, I hope the Miami fans show up and get extra loud despite this not being the most exciting matchup in the series.

Marcus: The entire defense. Allowing an average of 39 points in ACC play is not a good look for a team that should be a playoff contender. The offense has been smooth but also needs to eliminate some of the bonehead plays (see Cam Ward turnovers and WR dropped passes – cough cough Jacolby George.

Weaver: The fans!! FSU has two QB’s that have shown zero chance of stepping up in big games, and a rocking atmosphere at Hard Rock Stadium will absolutely bolster Miami’s defense. Show up and prepare to party!!

QUESTION 9: What about Florida State concerns you heading into this game?

Underwood: A carefree mentality, focused solely on ruining Miami’s season, where they empty the clip, pull out every trick play in the playbook, and miraculously hit enough of them to do damage. Also, FSU’s defense has been quite stingy, even through the losses. But, better defenses have struggled to stop Miami, and there’s only but so many perfect plays in the playbook that eventually, the magic runs out. Just ask Cal about that.

Dottavio: Mike Norvell cannot, and I assume will not, do what Alex Golesh and Justin Wilcox did vs. UM. You can’t come into this game and try not to lose. If I’m Norvell I’m going Jeff Brohm guns blazing.

Open with an onside kick, try a reverse on a kick return, fake punts, hook & ladders, flea flickers… open up the playbook. This is their Super Bowl. I think he’s the kind of guy who at least at Memphis knew how to win that type of game.

Thomas: The fact that their team will come out a little more juiced up due to it being a rivalry, and the fact that they have nothing to lose. So I expect some trick plays, onside kick, what have you. However, this team doesn’t scare me in the slightest.

Kappa: Nothing about them concerns me. I am more interested in whether Mario can keep the team focused on the task at hand. We have had a tendency to play down to our competition for the last 2 decades, and if Miami takes the field expecting FSU to rollover they have another thing coming… FSU would consider their season salvaged if they could derail Miami with an upset.

Smith: It’s Miami, AND FSU ALMOST ALWAYS PLAY WELL AGAINST MIAMI, ESPECIALLY AT HARD ROCK STADIUM. Miami SHOULD blow them off the field if all things are equal from how this season has gone for both teams. However, Florida State has athletes, has nothing to lose, and will surely be looking to spoil Miami’s season. If the Canes act like they have through much of late September/October with sleepy starts, this game could start competitive and give FSU hope, which can be a dangerous thing.

Schiffman: I’d say their defense, but Cam Ward and the Canes are going to get theirs no matter who they play. I’d say their offense pulling out all the stops and running several crazy trick plays, but their QBs are objectively bad and you can only pull the trick play card a couple times during a game. I’ll say special teams because I saw FSU return a kickoff for a touchdown recently. In all seriousness, Miami would have to give this game away in a multitude of ways.

Marcus: Nothing really besides the old cliche that there is nothing more dangerous than a [team] that has nothing to lose. This should be a blowout but the intangibles such as a rivalry game and FSU knowing they are playing for nothing more than pride could lead to the massive upset.

Weaver: Miami is in complete control of their destiny this game. Nobody from FSU is going to beat Miami. Only Miami can beat Miami.

QUESTION 10: Which Florida State player(s) are you concerned about heading into Saturday’s game?

Underwood: Patrick Payton, Darrell Jackson Jr., Joshua Farmer, Marvin Jones Jr. They’re a very talented defensive line, and Miami’s OL will have to play to their normal elite level to handle that quartet. Also, Lawrence Toafili and Kam Davis are talented RBs, who can make things happen if given the space. But that’s about it.

Dottavio: FSU has a solid defensive line up against an offensive line that takes plays off. Ja’khi Douglas was more effective when DJ Uiagalelei was at QB rather than Glenn. Lawrance Toafili could be an issue if FSU can get their run schemes blocked up right vs. Miami. Clemson gave them fits but I trust their DC more than Guidry to figure that out.

Thomas: I think it’ll be interesting to see Miami’s offensive line go up against this Seminoles defensive line. FSU has some talented players up front, and the Miami offensive line can be streaky at times. Hopefully we see more consistency from a Canes standpoint.

Kappa: Again, none… who’s shown their ability on that team this season? If we play assignment football we win by 4 scores or more.

Smith: FSU’s defensive front is a little bit of a worry for me. They could put up a tougher fight than Miami has seen for much of this season. If they can slow Miami’s running game and put Cam Ward in obvious passing situations, they could have some success on Saturday as a defense.

Schiffman: FSU has some talented guys on defense. They could make it difficult for Cam Ward due to their athleticism…could. We’ll see if it happens. It’s up to Miami’s offensive line to make sure their stud QB has the time he needs to make plays and demoralize yet another ACC defense.

Marcus: Shoutout to Aussie punter Alex Mastromanno who leads the country in yards per punt at 49.43, is listed as a midseason All-American and could win the Ray Guy Award! We should see a lot of him on Saturday… FSU had the third highest amount of players selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. The talent they lost to the draft included QB Jordan Travis, RB Trey Benson, WRs Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson, TE Jaheim Bell on offense and DE Jared Verse, DT Braden Fiske, DBs Renardo Green and Jarrian Jones, and LB Tatum Bethune on defense. Regardless, they were ranked 10th, incorrectly, coming into the season so there was some talent returning. On defense, look out for Patrick Payton on the defensive line and on offense the RB duo of Lawrance Toafil and Kam Davis provide for a formidable 1-2 punch.

Weaver: They have a really good kicker…that’s about all I got.

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Alright guys. You know the drill: share your thoughts (or thoughts about our thoughts) in the comments section.

And don’t you worry: game predictions are coming in couple hours.

Go Canes