The stage is set for one of the ACC's most heated showdowns as the undefeated No. 3 Miami Hurricanes head to Tallahassee to face the No. 18 Florida State Seminoles on Saturday night. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. ET under the lights at Doak Campbell Stadium, where the atmosphere promises to crackle with that old-school intensity both programs know so well. Miami enters with a perfect 4-0 record, fresh off a gritty 26-7 win over Florida that showcased their stingy defense, holding opponents to just 12 points per game so far. Indeed, the Hurricanes' rush defense ranks eighth nationally, a unit that's been bending but not breaking all season.
Florida State, meanwhile, sits at 3-1 after a frustrating 46-38 loss to Virginia last week—a game where their explosive rushing attack, second-best in the country, couldn't quite overcome turnovers and defensive lapses. The Seminoles started strong with a statement win over Alabama, but that defeat has them hungry to rebound in this intrastate battle. Miami holds a slight edge as 4.5-point favorites, according to betting lines, with the over/under pegged at 54.5 points—suggesting a high-scoring affair if FSU's offense clicks.
However, don't count out the Seminoles just yet. Their home crowd could turn this into a cauldron, and quarterback play will be key; Miami's signal-caller has been efficient, but FSU's ground game might test that vaunted front seven. Predictions are split—some experts lean toward Miami pulling away late, others see FSU keeping it close with big plays. Moreover, this matchup carries real stakes: a win for the Hurricanes could solidify their path to the ACC title game, while Florida State needs it to stay in the playoff conversation. The rivalry's history, from those infamous "Wide Right" misses to recent social media jabs, adds layers of tension that no stat sheet can capture.
Yet, as these two Florida powers collide, one can't help but wonder if this game will reignite the dominance either side once claimed in the conference.