College Football 9/7/09
Miami Hurricanes (ACC)-#19 Florida State Seminoles (ACC)
By Mark • Monday, September 7th, 2009 8 PM EST
Florida State (0-0) vs. Miami (0-0)
Line-Florida State-6
This is always a much anticipated match up between not only instate, but conference rivals that always seems to have national implications. Miami seems to get more than their share of press, usually bad. Fighting, players being arrested; it happens at plenty of schools, not just Miami but this seems to rally the team and the boys from Tallahassee always get a handful from the Canes come game day.
Quarterback Christian Ponder returns and leads a passing attack that ranked just #82 nationally. He must improve his accuracy, as he completed just 56% of his passes and had a 14/13 TD/INT ratio which are mediocre numbers at best.
The Seminoles had a good running game to lean on when Ponder's passes were hitting the turf. The O-Line is another year older which should open more holes for RB Jermaine Thomas, as well as giving Ponder time to throw. FSU had the #33 rushing attack in the country last year and whether they approach that number remains to be seen.
The defense carried Florida State in 2008, as they were #16 in total ‘D', but there are a few holes to plug on the defensive line with the departures of defensive ends Everette Brown and Neefy Moffett. The line backing crew and secondary lost four major contributors in Toddrick Verdell, Derek Nicholson, Tony Carter and Myron Rolle, so some new faces will need to step in to fill the void.
Miami lost QB Robert Marve who transferred, so Jacory Harris takes over behind center. Harris is a capable passer and completed 61% of his throws in '08, mostly to freshman receivers that also need to step up with a year of experience under their belt. The offense must also adjust to a new OC in Mark Whipple who has installed a pro style attack.
The O-Line was young in 2008 and will need to replace C Xavier Shannon and T Chris Rutledge this year. The performance of this unit could ultimately decide how far Miami goes, perhaps more so in the running game where RB Craig Cooper will look to break 1,000 yards.
The defense could improve on their #28 ranking, but will miss leading tacklers in linebackers Anthony Reddick and Glenn Cooke. The Hurricanes were strong against the pass, but need to need to improve on their four interceptions of 2008. Miami needs to tighten up the run ‘D' and keep opponents off the scoreboard, something that new DC John Lovett will be sure to address.
FSU has 13 players back while Miami returns 15, but when these two have gotten together in the last eight years the margin of victory has been 8 points or less. Doesn't matter who the home team is, these games are hard fought and close to the vest, so I'll take the young Canes and the points.
Pick: Miami +6
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