Just days now separate us from the annual rivalry showdown between Florida State and No. 12 Miami. The contest was originally scheduled for Sept. 16, but because of Hurricane Irma, moved back to Oct. 7 — one day earlier than the teams played last year.
That’s not the only way in which this season’s contest feels similar to last year coming in. FSU is in a similar position and quite frankly, so is Miami.
Entering last year’s contest at Hard Rock Stadium, the Seminoles were just 3-2 (0-2 in the ACC) and all of their lofty goals set before the season were seemingly dashed. FSU was clinging to a No. 23 national ranking while the favored Hurricanes were undefeated, ranked 10th nationally and has visions of putting together a season reminiscent of some of the program’s glory days.
Flash forward to 2017 and the script is in many ways the same. The Seminoles are off to their worst start since 1989, needing a last-minute victory simply to beat Wake Forest. Miami is undefeated with every win coming by at least 14 points.
Coming into last season, Florida State was learning to cope to life without its most important player on one side of the ball — the defensive side. Sophomore safety Derwin James had injured his knee in Week 2 against Charleston Southern and in the first three games of his absence, FSU went just 1-2 while allowing 45 points per game.
This season, FSU is learning how to move on without its most important offensive player, quarterback Deondre Francois, who tore his patella tendon in the season-opener against Alabama. In the two games without Francois, the Seminoles are 1-1. They’re averaging just 300 yards and 18 points per game for the season.
Like last year, there is also an actual hurricane (or storm) in play that could threaten the contest. Hurricane Matthew altered FSU’s travel schedule and path last season. This year, Tropical Storm Nate could also change some aspect of the contest.
What the Seminoles really hope is similar are the results and what transpired from then on. As most are well aware, FSU was able to overcome an 13-3 second-half deficit and hold on for a 20-19 victory, thanks to a monster night from running back Dalvin Cook and a blocked extra point from defensive end DeMarcus Walker with over two minutes to play to preserve the lead and the eventual victory.
Unfortunately for Florida State, those two players — both eventual Consensus All-Americans — are no longer there. Still, the Seminoles are hardly devoid of talent and this time around, the contest is in Tallahassee.
Last year’s win not only gave FSU its seventh straight over the rival Hurricanes, but it began a streak of seven wins in eight games to close the year. The Seminoles wound up beating Michigan in the Orange Bowl and finishing with a No. 8 national ranking. The lone blemish down the stretch was a hard-fought 37-34 loss to eventual national champion Clemson.
The win in South Florida was also the beginning of a defensive turnaround as FSU finished with a top 25 unit on that side of the ball after being ranked outside the top 100 coming in. This time around, the glaring weak spot is the offense, which managed just three touchdowns in its first 179 minutes of football this season before Auden Tate’s 40-yard touchdown reception from James Blackman served as the game-winner last week.
Given all that has gone wrong through the early parts of this season, finishing as it did last year may be a pipe dream for FSU, even if it is able to get a win over Miami, but it sure would be a nice start. Not being able to extend its win streak over Miami on the other hand, could spell real trouble for an FSU team on the verge of starting 1-3 for the first time since 1976.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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