Noles247 Game Predictions: No. 18 FSU vs No. 3 Miami

Score: FSU 27, Miami 24

Miami has looked efficient, confident and effective through the first 1/3 of the season. However, it's all been within the confines of their home field.

Doak will be a literal madhouse. Tommy will make some magic, and the offense will generate just enough explosive plays to power the Noles past their rivals from the south. I really think it's gonna be an awesome game.

Score: Miami 34, FSU 27

I think Florida State will play a much better brand of football on Saturday night against Miami than they did versus Virginia last week. It should be a close game with the Hurricanes traveling on the road for the first time this season in what will be an electric Doak Campbell Stadium atmosphere.

What worries me about this game for FSU is the lines of scrimmage. I have concerns about how frequently FSU can neutralize defensive ends Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor while on offense. I also wonder how FSU plans to consistently disrupt quarterback Carson Beck, who is protected by one of the best offensive lines in the country. FSU's pass rush has been nonexistent since the Alabama game. Can DC Tony White find a way to change that?

I struggle to see FSU's defense getting off the field enough in this game. I'm picking Miami to win the game in close fashion.

Score: Miami 30, FSU 24

What a week it has to be for this Florida State football team. Four weeks of praise and flowers to "welp this is who they really are."

Is this the late great Dennis Green moment, "they are who we thought they were." I think we are going to find out very quickly on Saturday.

Are their personnel holes on this team? Absolutely. Does this team have an edge to it though? Absolutely, and on Saturday they regain that edge. The leaders of this team have spoken confidence all week and I believe that means something.

Miami is going to test your will on every snap of the football game. Miami is going to look to blow your doors off if the opportunity presents itself. Not this Saturday though as Florida State is up to the competitive test. Unfortunately, in games like this I believe your recruiting shortcomings rear their ugly heads.

Score: Miami 27, FSU 24

I'd be surprised, and disappointed, if FSU's defense played with a similar level of physicality (or lack thereof) against Miami. A better performance is expected.

But Miami's balanced approach on offense is going to lead to multiple touchdowns, and the fear is that they're long, sustained, backbreaking drives.

I think you'll be able to manufacture points. FSU's offense is legitimately good and can mix in explosives with sustained drives to also score several touchdowns.

Where I think the game is won/lost will be hidden yards with field position. Primarily, I think Miami's forcing unit is markedly better than FSU's. So the chance for three-and-outs or game-changing sacks to occur feels more likely when FSU is on offense. Havoc, they create it and I don't know that you do at this point of the defense's development. Over the course of a game, that might be what lets Miami get more cracks at scoring and I think that proves to be the difference.

Score: FSU 31, Miami 24

Miami is an efficient and grinding team with a clear gameplan and aggressive defense.

Unfortunately, they still have Mario Cristobal as their head coach. Every game they're in feels much closer than it should. Play with fire and you get burnt. As a completely non-biased party I have a feeling that this Gus Malzahn offense might bring just enough heat to create a spark.

Score: FSU 31, Miami 28

Miami is excellent in the trenches. They are very sound throughout their roster. Offense hasn't been near as explosive as a season ago, but they are efficient and will own the ball if you allow them to. Defensively, group comes off as organized, physical, and the DL sets the tone. FSU is hosting a very good football team in this rivalry game.

Backs against the wall, to a degree, after a bad showing a week ago. I think we see an inspired battle. FSU is going to have to hit explosives. Defense needs to generate a takeaway.

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