Your Thoughts Thursday: FSU Will Beat Miami in a Close One

Two days separate us from the 64th rivalry meeting between Florida State and Miami.

Both teams will arrive at Doak Campbell Stadium with a 4-4 record on Saturday. The Hurricanes have won the last two in the series by a combined five points after losing the previous seven.

This week, we asked our social media followers who would win the rivalry contest. Nearly 90 percent of the 120 accounts that responded have the Seminoles winning.

48 percent said FSU will win by one score while 41 percent predict a multiple-score win. 10 percent have Miami winning close. 2 percent see the Hurricanes winning by more than one score.

Our Take
We’re going with those who responded on this one.

The last five contests between Florida State and Miami have been decided by five points or less and there is no reason to expect this one to be much different. Miami is a hard team to figure out. The Hurricanes have nice wins over Virginia and at Pittsburgh, but inexplicable losses at home to Georgia Tech and a Virginia Tech team that was coming off a 45-10 home loss to Duke.

Where this game will be won is in the trenches. The Seminoles have a solid defensive line headlined by defensive tackle Marvin Wilson while Miami’s Greg Rousseau leads the ACC with seven sacks. Both offensive lines have been bad, but Miami’s may be worse as it has allowed 29 sacks this season.

FSU seems to be getting better up front after allowing just four total sacks over the last two weeks. In ACC home games this season, the Seminoles are allowing just 18 points per game. Want a prediction?

FSU 26, Miami 21.

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson. Like The Daily Nole on Facebook. To pitch an idea, author a post or to learn more about The Daily Nole, email Mike Ferguson at Mike@TheDailyNole.com.