Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin HS football players participate in a tug-of-war during a pep rally before a high school football game against Atlantic Coast on August 30, 2024. [Clayton Freeman/Florida Times-Union]

Four-star QB joins FSU recruiting exodus, to visit Florida

Nineteen months after pledging his commitment to Florida State, four-star recruit and Elite 11 quarterback Tramell Jones instead jumped into the current of talent flowing out of Tallahassee.

A top-25 overall recruit and top-five dual threat quarterback at most major recruiting outlets, Jones is a senior at Jacksonville’s Mandarin High School. He’s on the list of reported recruits attending Florida’s game Saturday against LSU along with prep teammate and five-star wide receiver recruit Jaime Ffrench.

Jones’ recruitment is now open to others beyond the Gators. He is scheduled to announce his college choice at Mandarin on Dec. 6.

Ffrench decommitted from Texas on Wednesday.

He initially committed to Alabama but pulled back when Nick Saban announced his retirement. Ffrench was courted by Ohio State, LSU and Miami before giving the Longhorns a verbal commitment at a ceremony on Aug. 30.

Ffrench is the No. 14 overall prospect and third-ranked wide receiver according to On3.

Jones said on a Jacksonville radio show earlier this week that he wasn’t flipping from Florida State and explained why he was still supportive of Seminoles coach Mike Norvall.

“Because he showed us our vision. He was there before,” Jones said. “He’s got to where he talked about. He was 13-0. He’s got to where he wanted to go. This is just a little stump in the road for him. I think that the comeback is going to be even greater.”

The Seminoles are 1-9 this season, 1-7 in the ACC, after going 13-1 in 2023.

Florida State already lost a number of recruits ranked in the top tier of the 2025 class, including Myron Charles, Javion Hilson, Malik Clark, Daylan McCutcheon and CJ Wiley.

–Field Level Media

Oct 26, 2024; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Mack Brown walks off the field after the Tar Heels' game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

North Carolina bids to build steam in clash vs. Florida State

North Carolina might have discovered a path back to getting some traction for the final month of the regular season.

Florida State’s search for success of any kind remains ongoing.

Those goals will be atop the to-do list when the Tar Heels face the Seminoles on Saturday afternoon in an Atlantic Coast Conference game in Tallahassee, Fla.

“They’re very talented,” North Carolina coach Mack Brown said of Florida State. “They’re going to play well against us. We know that, so it’s on us to come out and play well.”

The Tar Heels (4-4, 1-3) snapped a four-game skid with a 41-14 victory at Virginia last Saturday.

The Seminoles (1-7, 1-6) have lost four consecutive games and no longer even have the quest for bowl qualification as an incentive.

“I challenged players, coaches, everybody involved, our focus this week is to go get it done with the opportunity that is in front of us,” Florida State coach Mike Norvell said.

North Carolina’s romp vs. Virginia came with signs that Brown said point toward a strong finishing stretch for his team.

“Played loose, played free, had fun,” Brown said. “Winning is amazing. It solves a whole lot of issues.”

Brown said he sees the Seminoles in a similar light as his Tar Heels. He said both teams haven’t played as well as their skill levels would suggest. He said he fears Florida State will rise much like North Carolina did in the Virginia game.

Norvell said there are signs of improvement in rushing the ball, something that could be a boost to inconsistent quarterback play.

Florida State used quarterbacks Luke Kromenhoek and Brock Glenn in last week’s 36-14 loss at then-No. 6 Miami. Neither player completed more than half of his passes.

There are bound to be chances for a variety of players on the roster.

“Some young guys getting new opportunities,” Norvell said. “Guys that are fighting for more opportunities.”

With Florida State’s quarterback situation possibly in flux, the Tar Heels will be geared up again. They recorded 10 sacks at Virginia.

Brown said Tar Heels quarterback Jacolby Criswell has started to develop a better connection with offensive coaches. His 293 passing yards last week marked his second-highest total of the season.

“If Jacolby keeps doing what he’s doing, we have a chance to do at the end (of the season) what we thought we would,” Brown said.

These teams held national rankings a season ago, but they’re in danger of landing in the ACC basement. There’s plenty in common, including close defeats to Georgia Tech and Duke.

–Field Level Media

Oct 26, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward (1) runs with the football against the Florida State Seminoles during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

No. 6 Miami dominates hapless Florida State to improve to 8-0

Cam Ward threw for 208 yards and also caught a touchdown pass as the sixth-ranked Miami Hurricanes remained unbeaten with a 36-14 win over the visiting Florida State Seminoles in an ACC matchup on Saturday night.

Hurricanes running back Damien Martinez rushed for 148 yards with a 9.9-yard average and two touchdowns.

Miami (8-0, 4-0), which entered the game ranked No. 2 in the nation in scoring (48.3), was forced to settle for three Andres Borregales field goals.

Florida State, meanwhile, was held to 248 yards of total offense, 75 of them on its final drive.

Ward, who entered Saturday No. 1 in the FBS in passing yards (363), completed 22-of-35 throws with no touchdowns. In every other game this season, he had at least 300 yards and two TD passes.

Florida State (1-7, 1-6) lost its fourth straight game. The loss also guarantees the Seminoles will have a losing record, and they cannot become bowl-eligible. Miami also broke their three-game losing streak against FSU and now lead this historic rivalry 36-33.

The Hurricanes scored a touchdown on the game’s first possession, traveling 67 yards and capping the march with Mark Fletcher Jr.’s one-yard run. Ward went 4-for-5 for 53 yards on that drive.

Miami made it 14-0 with a 12-play, 95-yard drive that bridged the first and second quarters. The key was converting a third-and-20 with a 21-pass to Martinez, who later scored on a bruising 18-yard run.

FSU cut its deficit to 14-7 on Caziah Holmes’ fourth-and-goal run from the one-yard line with 6:44 left in the second quarter. The key to the drive was FSU’s fourth-and-one conversion from its own 45 as Luke Kromenhoek ran 42 yards on a quarterback sneak in which he appeared to have been stopped at the line of scrimmage but kept going.

Miami scored on the last play of the first half on Borregales’ 20-yard field goal, giving the Hurricanes a 17-7 lead. That capped an 18-play, 88-yard drive that included a fourth-down conversion.

Borregales hit from 42 yards out to end Miami’s first possession of the second half, and he closed the third-quarter scoring with a 45-yarder to give the Hurricanes a 23-7 lead.

Miami put the game away on a trick play with 4:32 left in the fourth quarter as tight end Elijah Arroyo tossed a seven-yard, double-reverse TD pass to Ward.

FSU scored with just 18 seconds left on Brock Glenn’s five-yard pass to Malik Benson.

–Field Level Media

Oct 19, 2024; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Miami Hurricanes running back Damien Martinez (6) runs the ball against Louisville Cardinals defensive back Benjamin Perry (10) during the second half at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. Miami defeated Louisville 52-45. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images

No. 6 Miami keeps guard up ahead of clash vs. Florida State

One of the more celebrated rivalries in college football doesn’t have that feel this year.

Sixth-ranked Miami (7-0, 3-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) is a 21-point favorite against visiting Florida State (1-6, 1-5) on Saturday night.

However, Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal said he doesn’t focus on the Seminoles’ record this year.

“It’s an insanely awesome rivalry,” he said. “I don’t think the juice behind it will ever change.”

Even so, the numbers show a huge disparity between the squads.

Miami ranks second in the nation in scoring (48.3 points per game) and leads the country in third-down conversions on offense (60.2 percent). Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward leads the nation in passing yards per game (363) and in touchdown throws (24).

The Hurricanes, who are off to their best start since opening 10-0 in 2017, also feature wide receiver Xavier Restrepo. He is averaging a robust 98.0 receiving yards per game.

Miami’s issue the past three games is points allowed: 34 to Virginia Tech, 38 to Cal, and 45 to Louisville.

Not all those points are on Miami’s defense, however. Ward threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown against the Bears, and the Cardinals scored on a 100-yard kickoff return.

Still, Miami’s defense is a concern, especially the secondary, which is missing starting cornerback Damari Brown due to injury.

But Malik Bryant, who is part of Miami’s rotation at defensive end, will be back this week after missing the Louisville game due to illness.

“I feel a sense of urgency,” Cristobal said when asked about his defense. “You don’t see a lack of effort. But there’s been miscommunication. There have been missed tackles.”

Florida State has won the three most recent matchups between the schools, but it isn’t close to the same program that went 13-1 last year. The Seminoles returned only 10 of 24 starters.

Florida State is last in the 17-team ACC in scoring, averaging 15 points a game. The Seminoles are 12th in the league in points allowed (25.0).

The Seminoles are coming off a 23-16 loss at Duke last week. It was Duke’s first-ever win against Florida State following 22 consecutive losses.

Seminoles freshman quarterback Brock Glenn turned the ball over on three consecutive plays against Duke, with two interceptions and one fumble.

After Glenn was benched, backup Luke Kromenhoek, also a freshman, completed 3 of 7 passes for just 19 yards.

“It’s unfortunate … some of the mistakes we made,” Florida State coach Mike Norvell said. “I truly believe we were ready to play at a high level.”

The Seminoles, who have lost three straight games, have to win their remaining five contests to become bowl eligible. Two of those opponents are ranked in the top 12 in the nation (Miami and Notre Dame), and North Carolina and Florida also are on the schedule.

A bright spot for Florida State last week was Samuel Singleton Jr.’s 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. That’s especially interesting given Miami’s kickoff-return lapse against Louisville.

Special teams also is a strength for the Seminoles, as Shyheim Brown has blocked two field goals this season.

On defense, FSU is led by ends Patrick Payton (four sacks) and Marvin Jones Jr. (three). Payton was the ACC’s Defensive Rookie of the Year last season. Jones, a Miami native, transferred from Georgia.

–Field Level Media

Florida State University and Doak S. Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Fla., are in the projected path of Hurricane Helene.

Florida State, Florida, Georgia on high alert as Hurricane Helene nears landfall

Hurricane Helene began building speed Wednesday with Tallahassee, Fla., and the campus of Florida State University projected to feel the full force of the storm late Thursday night.

Head coach Mike Norvell and the Seminoles are scheduled to play in Dallas at SMU on Saturday night and could change travel plans from the current itinerary, which calls for the FSU team charter to leave Florida on Friday morning. The team marching band bus to SMU was canceled earlier in the week.

“We are still monitoring all things with the storm,” Norvell said. “We have tentative plans in place, and we have A, B and C (contingency plans). If anything needs to be adjusted we will go from there.”

Florida A&M, also in Tallahassee, postponed its scheduled home football game this weekend with Alabama A&M to Nov. 29.

Norvell didn’t indicate Florida State could reschedule its road trip to SMU, but said Tuesday there was only one priority.

“The No. 1 thing is the health and the well-being of this team and the staff and everyone that’s involved. We have our plans if we need to adapt and adjust,” Norvell said.

FSU closed its campus on Wednesday. The University of Florida announced it will close its Gainesville campus starting Thursday, postponed a soccer match scheduled for Thursday against Tennessee and canceled Friday’s swim meet against Nova Southeastern.

While the Gators’ football team is on a bye week, other college football games could be impacted. Parts of South Carolina could see “10-15 inches of rain” according to the National Weather Service.

No. 2-ranked Georgia visits Alabama on Saturday night in Tuscaloosa, which is about 320 miles northwest of Tallahassee. But Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart said this week the Southeastern Conference and weather authorities are heavily involved in monitoring Helene in the event changes to pregame events and travel out of Athens would become necessary.

Some models projecting the path of the hurricane place Atlanta and Athens in front of Helene. While the University of Georgia is 275 miles from Tallahassee, the Weather Channel indicated Helene could become a Category 3 hurricane with significant risk from sustained winds inland to Atlanta gusting over 80 mph and potentially record rainfall.

Georgia Tech said its Atlanta campus was open on Wednesday and any changes would be communicated via the school website and social media channels. The Yellow Jackets are off this week. Further north, warnings are already active in Knoxville, Tenn., where the Volunteers are also on a bye week.

“We’ve been following it and watching it with the SEC office and our in-house people at Delta,” Smart said. “It looks like it’s trending more and more eastward which may affect us, but less and less affect towards the game. My biggest concern is the travel and our travel arrangements. Being able to get there in a convenient way is my concern right now.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 6, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of the ACC logo during the first half of the game between the Southern Methodist Mustangs and the Brigham Young Cougars at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Reports: ACC working toward new revenue plan with Clemson, FSU

Clemson and Florida State have been in frequent communication with the Atlantic Coast Conference recently as they continue to devise a plan that would give them a larger share of the league’s revenue, Yahoo Sports and ESPN reported Tuesday.

The two programs believe that any revenue that schools in the conference receive should be based off brand valuation and television ratings. Simply put, the more viewers and attention a program attracts, the more money it should get.

Should the ACC end up implementing a plan that caters to Clemson and Florida State’s wishes, the two programs would drop lawsuits that they currently have against the conference. The Tigers and Seminoles are suing the ACC in an attempt to back out of the conference’s grant of rights.

With the grant of rights, which is in effect through 2036, Clemson and Florida State’s media rights are attached to the conference itself.

The ACC countered with a lawsuit against the Tigers and Seminoles, but there hasn’t been much legal action taken between the sides.

Clemson and Florida State’s current talks with the ACC have been surface-level, and the two sides are still far from a settlement, per the reports. What the discussions do show is that both schools are determined to stay in the conference, as long as they receive enough financial compensation.

In addition to requesting that revenue gets based off ratings, the proposal brought forward by the Tigers and Seminoles also would shorten the term for the grant of rights.

ACC schools received an average of $44.8 million from the league in 2022-23, about $7 million less than Southeastern Conference schools. And with the SEC’s new television deal that started this year, the difference could go north of $30 million.

–Field Level Media

FSU football players participate in fall practice as the team prepares for Georgia Tech at the Albert J Dunlap training center on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024.

No. 10 Florida State, Georgia Tech kick off 2024 season in Dublin

For 229 days, the college football world has awaited the return of the ever-changing sport.

No team is more eager to get back to the proving grounds than No. 10 Florida State.

Georgia Tech and Florida State kick off the 2024 season on Saturday in Dublin, Ireland. Saturday marks the ninth college football game played in the country.

A College Football Playoff bridesmaid in December, the Seminoles return depth from the 13-1 conference-championship winning team. Florida State brings back 73 players, including nine All-ACC members, an unprecedented number in today’s transfer portal-dominated landscape.

In the backfield, the Seminoles are led by fifth-year senior Lawrance Toafili, who rushed for 463 yards in 2023, when he backed up Trey Benson. Toafili was last year’s ACC Championship Game MVP and enters the season as Florida State’s leading returner in rushing and all-purpose yards.

The offense returns a receiving core of nine Seminoles who combined for 86 receptions for 1,195 yards and five touchdowns. Although the unit lost Keon Coleman, Johnny Wilson and Jaheim Bell to the NFL Draft, a pair of experienced players in Mackey Award watch list tight end Kyle Morlock (19 receptions, 255 yards in 2023) and Ja’Khi Douglas (14-243) look to anchor the group.

Maybe the most vital piece of the Florida State roster is fifth-year transfer quarterback DJ Uiagalelei. He takes over for Jordan Travis, the 2023 ACC Player of the Year whose season ended with a knee injury that shifted the Seminoles’ fortunes. Travis was a fifth-round pick of the Jets in April.

After an inconsistent career at Clemson from 2020-22, Uiagalelei found more success at Oregon State in 2023, passing for 2,638 yards and accounting for 27 total touchdowns.

Back in the ACC for a final go-around, the veteran quarterback is considered a key in the Seminoles’ bid for their first College Football Playoff appearance in a decade.

“DJ has played in a lot of football games,” Florida State coach Mike Norvell said. “He’s seen it all. He’s been through the highs and lows. I could not be any more pleased with what I’ve seen since he got here in January. He’s playing with a lot of confidence. I’m excited to see him go play like he’s prepared. If he does that, I think he could have a very special season.”

In front of Uiagalelei, Florida State returns all-conference offensive linemen Darius Washington and Maurice Smith.

Florida State was left out of the playoff last season in part because of injuries at the quarterback position. But the Seminoles are 23-4 the past two seasons and don’t need a pep talk before taking the field in 2024.

Georgia Tech enters the season coming off its first winning campaign since 2018, and first bowl win since 2016. Brent Key has the program anticipating renewed success, but the Seminoles have dominated the series with a 13-4 advantage in regular-season ACC meetings (2-0 in ACC title games).

Dual-threat quarterback Haynes King, who threw for 2,842 yards and 27 touchdowns, while adding 737 rushing yards and 10 scores on the ground in 2023, is back behind center for the Yellow Jackets.

“When I say (Haynes) has every skill and every bit of ability to be the best quarterback in the country, I mean it,” Key said. “We’re very excited for him.”

Last year’s leading rusher Jamal Haynes (1,059 yards, seven touchdowns) also returns for Tech.

Florida State’s offense gets plenty of publicity. The Seminoles have some youth on the other side of the ball, but defensive back Azareye’h Thomas said the group’s mindset paves the way for positives.

“They have speed, speed, speed. Our defense will have to mind our Ps and Qs,” Thomas said of playing Georgia Tech’s track athletes at wide receiver. “It starts in the meeting room. We watch film so that when we come out to practice, it’s easy.”

Key overturned a staff that ranked 97th in the country last year in points allowed. Duke’s defensive coordinator, Tyler Santucci, relocated to Atlanta. Under Santucci, the Blue Devils allowed just 19 points per game, best in the ACC.

“That’s why I got hired,” Santucci said. “Stop people, create takeaways … get the ball back to the offense and don’t let them score touchdowns. That’s not pressure. That’s our job.”

Georgia Tech is playing internationally for the second time. The Yellow Jackets topped Boston College 17-14 in the inaugural Aer Lingus Classic in 2016.

“It’s a great opportunity for Georgia Tech,” Key said. “It’ll be great for people to see the GT on a worldwide stage.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 4, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  A Florida State Seminoles helmet on the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Former Florida St. QB Marcus Outzen dies at 46

Marcus Outzen, who stepped in at starting quarterback to lead Florida State to the first BCS National Championship game in 1999, died Tuesday after a battle with a rare immune deficiency disorder. “The Rooster” was 46.

Outzen was recently diagnosed with HLH (Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis), a severe inflammatory syndrome that prevents the immune system from functioning properly, the Tallahassee Democrat reported Wednesday.

“Rest In Peace @MarcusOutzen. I love you so much Dad,” his son Colton Outzen posted to X.

Outzen played at FSU from 1996-2000 as a career backup to QB Chris Weinke. However, a neck injury to Weinke late in the 1998 season thrust Outzen into the starting role. He led the Seminoles to wins over Wake Forest and archrival Florida and into the inaugural BCS National Championship game in Tempe, Ariz., where they lost to Tennessee, 23-16.

Outzen threw for 145 yards and rushed for a touchdown against the Volunteers.

Outzen returned to a backup role behind Weinke, who led FSU to the BCS Championship title over Virginia Tech the following year at the 2000 Sugar Bowl.

Outzen finished his career with 1,074 yards passing and five touchdowns against six interceptions.

Outzen lived in the Tampa Bay area with his wife and children.

“Marcus was a good friend to a lot of people,” former FSU teammate Bobby Rhodes told the Democrat. “People liked him, on and off the field. This is so sad.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 18, 2023; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jordan Travis (13) waves to fans while being carted off after an injury against the North Alabama Lions during the first quarter at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-USA TODAY Sports

FSU QB Jordan Travis (leg) confirms season over

Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis confirmed Monday that his season and his Seminoles career is over after he suffered a devastating leg injury on Saturday.

The social media post follows a video he shared from his hospital bed on Sunday. It’s unclear if Travis, a senior, was still in the hospital Monday. Travis suffered the gruesome-looking injury during the first quarter of the Seminoles’ 58-13 win against North Alabama on Saturday night at Tallahassee, Fla.

“I have been overwhelmed by the support from my teammates, coaches, the Florida State community and those all around the world,” Travis wrote in a post to X. “Although the injury I sustained (Saturday) marks the end of my Seminole playing career, the great memories created here at FSU will never fade.

“… I am excited to be by my brothers’ sides every day as we continue our attack. We’re all we got, we’re all we need. Job’s not finished.”

Florida State was No. 4 in the College Football Playoff rankings heading into the game vs. North Alabama. The next rankings will be released Tuesday night as FSU (11-0) prepares to play Florida on Saturday behind backup QB Tate Rodemaker. The Seminoles were overtaken by Washington (11-0) in Sunday’s Associated Press Top 25 rankings and fell a spot to No. 5.

Travis was injured on a tackle by North Alabama’s Shaun Myers after a 16-yard gain. He motioned for the training staff and soon had his lower leg put into an air cast. He was taken via ambulance to a nearby hospital.

The exact nature of his injury has not been disclosed.

On Sunday, Travis was upbeat in a video message.

“What’s up, y’all? It’s Jordan,” he said. “Just want to let you know I’m doing good, feeling good, I got a smile on my face. I’m just gonna follow God’s plan. … I appreciate you all for all the messages. Go Noles.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 4, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal looks on during the first half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

Miami looks to revive season vs. No. 4 Florida State

One win would change everything.

That’s the opportunity facing the Miami Hurricanes, who travel to Tallahassee, Fla., to visit the fourth-ranked Florida State Seminoles on Saturday.

Miami’s disappointing season — including a stunning last-second loss to Georgia Tech that would’ve been a victory had the Hurricanes simply taken a knee with time winding down — can be salvaged in a sense with a triumph over the school’s biggest rival.

However, the Seminoles (9-0, 7-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) are favored by two touchdowns and a serious threat to win their first national title since 2013.

Worse yet for Miami (6-3, 2-3), quarterback Tyler Van Dyke seems to have lost his confidence — to the point that coach Mario Cristobal hasn’t ruled out benching him in favor of true freshman Emory Williams.

Van Dyke is a capable QB, proving that in 2021 when he averaged 293 passing yards per game and threw 25 touchdown passes with just six interceptions. Earlier this season, in a signature 48-33 win over Texas A&M, Van Dyke completed 21 of 30 passes for 374 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions.

However, in the past two games, Van Dyke averaged just 168 passing yards while tossing no TD passes and getting intercepted five times.

Cristobal this week suggested that injuries are a factor.

“(Van Dyke) has been banged up,” Cristobal said. “But the bottom line is that we have regressed in the passing game. It was our strength earlier in the year, and it hasn’t been good (lately).”

Williams, in his only career start, beat Clemson 28-20 in double overtime on Oct. 21. The Hurricanes played it conservatively in that game and Williams completed 24 of 33 passes for 151 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

As for the Florida State series, Miami leads 35-32. However, the Seminoles are looking for their third straight win in the series and 13th in the past 19 meetings with the Hurricanes.

A fascinating matchup to watch for on Saturday pits Florida State’s wide receivers against Miami’s cornerbacks.

Star Seminoles receivers Johnny Wilson and Keon Coleman missed the team’s 24-7 win over Pitt last week.

Wilson, who sat out the Seminoles’ past two games, returned to practice this week — welcome news for coach Mike Norvell.

“I do see us being in a better spot,” Norvell said of his receivers’ health entering the Miami game. “What that means, we’ll see.”

Coleman (538) and Wilson (415) are Florida State’s top two players in receiving yards. They have also combined for 11 receiving TDs. No other Florida State player has more than two TD catches.

Further, Wilson is 6-foot-7, and Coleman 6-4, giving sixth-year quarterback Jordan Travis two imposing targets.

Miami could be vulnerable in the secondary due to injuries that hit two of its top three cornerbacks last week. Both Jaden Davis and Daryl Porter Jr. were hurt in Miami’s 20-6 loss at North Carolina State.

The only certainty for Miami at cornerback is that Te’Cory Couch will play. But losing Davis and/or Porter could hinder the Hurricanes’ upset hopes.

Florida State leads the ACC in points scored per game (39.6) and is third in points allowed (17.0). Miami ranks fifth in scoring offense (32.1) and fourth in scoring defense (20.0).

Miami will need to stop running back Trey Benson and Travis.

Benson ranks third in the ACC in yards per rush (6.6) and is sixth in rushing yards (641).

Travis ranks second in the league in passing yards (2,469) and has produced 190 yards and seven TDs on the ground.

–Field Level Media