TV: ABC
Time: 8 PM EST, Sat
Spread: FLA ST -19
Total: 56
Odds from Bookmaker
There’s not really much of a reason to expect this game to be close, and college football oddsmakers agree, setting the line 19 points in favor of FSU. The reason is pretty simple: Miami’s starting QB and star player Stephen Morris is likely out with a sprained ankle.
In Morris’ likely absence, Ryan Williams practiced to take over as QB. Morris has been receiving treatment, but it doesn’t seem likely he’ll be ready to go.
Hurricanes coach Al Golden isn’t ready to concede defeat, though, and said he is going to give Morris a chance to test his ankle and see if he is ready to go.
“I would have to classify him as a game time decision…so we’ll see…if Stephen’s healthy, we’ll give it a shot,” Golden said.
Morris was on the practice field on Wednesday according to CBS Sports, but that doesn’t indicate that he is at full strength, and without him the Hurricanes have almost no chance of beating the 12th ranked (AP poll) Seminoles.
The Seminoles are still reeling from their 17-16 loss to NC State two weeks ago, which may have eliminated them from BCS-contention. They came back strong last week against Boston College, with something to prove, disposing of the Eagles by 44 points in game no one expected to be close.
This in-state rivalry likely won’t be either, but it will be highly watched by Florida fans who tout the rivalry, regardless of whether the teams are evenly matched or not. The game will air on ABC at 8 PM EST, and Florida State has a lot to prove still.
Their defense is ranked 4th in the nation still, as they gave up only 17 points in the loss to NC State and have not given up more than 17 points in any games, save the 49-37 victory over then-No. 10 Clemson in week 4. The Seminole won’t face another ranked opponent until November 24th, when they face another one of their in-state rivals in the Florida Gators.
They’ll take care of business in the ACC till then, with their eyes on an ACC crown. This week’s game against the Hurricanes will serve as a momentum builder, as they face Duke, Virginia Tech, and Maryland in the three weeks leading up to the showdown against the No. 3 ranked Gators.
While a BCS crown may be out of reach, a victory over the Gators would help redeem the season for E.J. Manuel and the Seminoles squad.
Manuel was looking like a possible Heisman candidate leading up to the NC State game, and still may be either way. Dating back to last October, Manuel is 13-2 in his 15 appearances ,and the Miami defense has allowed 32+ points five times and nearly 500 yards of offense on four different occasions, too.
Manuel isn’t taking anything for granted, though, commenting that “Those guys (Miami’s defense) are still smart….we have to go out there and execute. I don’t really think it’s necessarily about the defense we’re playing against; I think we have to go out there and do what we’re supposed to do.”
Fans will lament the showdown that never happened if Morris is unable to go. Morris has thrown for nearly 2000 yards already this season and had an ACC record 566 yards in the win over NC State on September 29th. It has to scare the FSU squad that Miami beat NC State and they lost to them, but it’s doubtful that is something that they are entertaining, even in the back of their minds. Their mindset remains focused on a BCS crown, even if only an ACC one is possible at this point.
Miami coach Al Golden realizes the importance of the game, though. He said “we all only get so many shots at this…I’m not going to ask him (Morris) to sit out the (game)…to be honest with you. If he’s ready to go, he’s ready to go.”
Golden’s reluctance to rest his star player is disconcerting in some ways, but the importance of this rivalry, and the significance to the ACC standings can’t be underestimated. The Hurricanes haven’t lost three straight since the end of the 2010 season, but they have dropped five of the last seven against FSU and have lost the last two contests.
Florida State Betting Trends:
Seminoles are 4-1 ATS after accumulating 450+ yards previous game, 7-3 ATS in their last 10 after allowing less tan 100 rushing yards previous game, 7-19-1 ATS in their last 27 following an SU win of 20+, 1-4 ATS in their last 5 following an SU win, and 7-20 ATS in their last 27 games after scoring 40+ points the previous game.
Miami Betting Trends:
Hurricanes are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 conference games, 5-1 ATS in their last 6 after allowing 450+ total yards previous game, 9-4 ATS in their last 13 on grass, 17-36 ATS in their last 53 following an ATS win, and 7-15 ATS in their last 22 at home vs teams with winning road records.
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