The coach is under fire. The fans are unhappy. The last game was a bitter example that the program is not what it was.
And despite it all, yes, the University of Miami has a chance against FSU.
An outside chance, but a chance.
There is enough explosion on the UM offensive side, and enough struggling on the FSU offense, to give the Canes a decent chance at FSU. Despite the noise surrounding the Hurricanes and the pressure on coach Al Golden, and despite FSU having won 34 of its last 35, this game could be one of the closet of the series.
A year ago, remember, Miami took a 16-0 lead on FSU before the Seminoles come back to win 30-26.
This year, it is uncertain if FSU’s offense could make such a comeback. The Seminoles have sputtered all year – they’re only 63rd on offense in the country. The Seminoles protect the ball with quarterback Everett Golson, but they managed only 14 points against Boston College and only 24 against Wake Forest. UM has much better athletes, although it did surrender 446 yards to the Bearcats.
“We just got to do better, and get them to play better,” FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said. “And get them to believe all the time, constantly, that every play, every second, every minute changes the game.”
Miami, with quarterback Brad Kaaya and running back Joe Yearby, have enough offensive threats. But FSU’s defense will be the strongest unit on the field.
First, however, the Hurricanes have to take care of their own problems. Golden is only 11-18 against FBS teams with a winning record. UM is 0-12 against teams that finished in the top 25 this year. The Hurricanes have converted only 24.5 percent of their third downs this season.
Much of the game may come down to whether running back Dalvin Cook, listed as day to day, will be able to play or not.
FSU has won five games in a row and eight of the last 10 in the series.
