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Offense vs. Offense: Both teams come in sporting some gaudy offensive statistics and are ranked in the top 25 nationally in overall offense. FSU's offense has produced 3,876 total yards while Miami's has put up 3,390. That breaks down to FSU averaging 553.7ypg. and Miami averaging 484.3. Miami has been more balanced with 55.7% of it's yards coming through the air while FSU has produced 38.3% of its yards on the ground.
Top Rushers:
UM- Duke Johnson: 122 carries / 823 yards / 6.7 ypc / 6tds
FSU- Devonta Freeman: 87 carries / 561 yards / 6.4 ypc / 6tds
Rushing is the one area that UM has the nod in - averaging 214.7 ypg, 24th in the nation. FSU is ranked one spot behind them though at 25 - averaging 212.3 ypg. UM tends to rely heavily on lead back Duke Johnson, but has found their clear cut second back in Dallas Crawford. Duke still has about twice the number of carries as Dallas but Crawford has been impressive when his number has been called. Devonta Feeman has the bulk of the carries on FSU, with nearly two times the amount of carries as the next leading back. It's how they distribute the carries that do not go to Freeman that makes the FSU run game different than UM. Karlos Williams and James Wilder Jr. have about the same amount of carries, and are both relied upon in the run game.
RB Thoughts Duke will be the most talented back on the field, but with the trio of backs FSU have, the seminoles are far from a 'pass only' team. Miami has proved that when it matters most they can slow things down and run the ball with either back, something that will be vital for the team on Saturday. FSU's Williams started the year at safety, but you wouldn't know it from his seven td's and nearly eight yards a carry average. The seminole trio will need to be effective because while their star QB seems to be impervious to pressure, he is still a freshman and capable of mistakes. (hopefully)
Top Passers:
UM- Stephen Morris: 94 of 157 passing (59.9%) / 1,463 yards / 10tds and 8ints / 148.98 Passing Efficiency
FSU- Jameis Winston: 128 of 183 passing (69.9%) / 2,177 yards / 23tds and 4ints / 206.98 Passing Efficiency
Passing is where FSU separates itself - ranking 12th in the nation, averaging 341.4 ypg. Miami ranks 38th in the nation passing with 269.6 ypg. Stephen Morris has thrown for 1,463 yards this season, while Jameis Winston has racked up 2,177 yards. Winston has about 30 more pass attempts, but both QBs have taken time off in the fourth quarter due to the score or injury. Winston lives up to the hype when you get into his other passing numbers - he's just shy of a 70% completion percentage and has a 23/4TD to INT ratio. Morris is just shy of a 60% completion percentage and has a 10/8 TD to INT ratio. Winston is second in the nation with a passing efficiency rating of 206.98, while Morris has a PE of 148.98 (Ryan Williams has a PE of 198, so for comparison's sake imagine his Savannah State game and mop up duty through out a full year)
QB Thoughts Both teams have elite QBs capable of winning the game, but will they? Morris has had an injury that may or may not have affected his throwing throughout this season. A senior leader of the team, it's his moment to step up and elevate what has otherwise been a sub par season. We have seen the ESPN draft rankings, I'VE personally seen NFL scouts at practices. The talent is there - is this the week it starts to show again? Jameis Winston must have been really bored in high school because he's made top level college football look easy. Big, mobile, accurate - he's going to be a pain for Miami over the next three years. Maybe the pressure gets to him? Maybe success gets to him?Chances are it won't and that is ok, the defense of Miami has talented players that came to play in big moments. This is one of those moments.
Top Receivers:
UM- Allan Hurns: 28 receptions / 506 yards, 18.1 average / 2tds
FSU- Rashad Green: 39 receptions / 690 yards, 17.7 average / 8 tds
Receiving has a direct relationship to the quarterback play, so both teams have productive WRs on the outside. Miami has been dealing with injuries all year at the position. Luckily they came into the season with plenty of talent. FSU's WRs and TEs have reaped the rewards of their new QB with their top four pass catchers averaging 17.7 yards per reception or more. They spread it around up there as well with Rashad Green leading the way with 39 catches. He is followed by Kenny Shaw with 31 catches and Kelvin Benjamin with 23. Miami's top receivers average about a yard less per reception and will be without their most experienced deep threat Philip Dorsett. Miami's top active WRs are Allan Hurns with 28 catches, Stacy Coley with 17, Herb Waters with 16, and TE Clive Walford with 17.
Receiver Thoughts Both teams have proven athletes catching the ball, as you would expect from FSU and Miami. Miami will rely upon freshman Stacy Coley now that deep threat Philip Dorsett is out. While you would like both on the field, it's not a terrible position to be in. Miami and FSU both like to use their TEs, with UM's Clive Walford and FSU's Nick O'Leary having 17 receptions. FSU's literal "big" threat at WR is Kelvin Benjamin - he stands 6"5 250lbs. Dealing with him will go a long way to stopping the FSU passing attack. The last player Miami faced that size was North Carolina's TE, and they had some issues keeping him in check.
Both teams are balanced and have more than enough options on the field to take over the game. Don't expect just because one team has better stats running or passing that they will dominate the game because of it.