Miami vs. Florida State preview, odds, prediction, TV channel, live stream

The Florida State Seminoles look to pull off the upset against rival Miami on Saturday afternoon. Here’s how to bet and stream the ACC showdown.

It was not that long ago that the Miami-Florida State game was the biggest game of the week whenever it was played. It may have lost some of the stakes but the rivalry is very real.

The Florida State Seminoles have limped through the beginning the season. It started with an embarrassing loss to the Virginia Tech Hokies on Labor Day. A near loss to Samford a week later than an even worse loss to Syracuse has the Noles faithful questioning the hire of Willie Taggert. Florida State has talent across the board, evident with their top-tier recruiting classes during the Jimbo Fisher era. There is just something not clicking with this team.

Miami, like their rivals, started the season with a loss to a ranked opponent. The Hurricanes then followed it up with four straight wins, most against very weak competition. Entering this game for Miami, all eyes will be on redshirt freshman quarterback N’Kosi Perry. After getting his first start a week ago, the pressure will be on to carry this Miami offense to another victory over their rival. Perry looked great against UNC, but this Seminoles defense will test him more than the Tar Heels were able to. How he responds will likely be an indicator of how the rest of this season will go for Miami.

A year ago, this game produced one of the most thrilling endings in this rivalry’s history. Then quarterback Malik Rosier found a receiver for a touchdown with time expiring to keep the Hurricanes undefeated in a prime-time game. The rivalry still has enough pull to garner the coveted 3:30 ABC time slot, even with Florida State already having two losses through five games.

How to watch and bet on Miami vs. North Carolina

• Date: Saturday, Oct. 6
• Start Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
• Location: Miami, FL
• Venue: Hard Rock Stadium
• Odds: Miami -12.5
• TV Channel: ABC
  
• Live Stream: WatchESPN

It’s hard to recall a Florida State-Miami game with a bigger spread. Las Vegas has pegged the Hurricanes as near two touchdown favorites at home against the Seminoles. Miami’s defense is likely the reason why. The unit is starting to gel after a shaky start. With Florida State’s disastrous offensive line, Gerald Willis and company are set to have a dominating performance Saturday. That being said, 12.5 points seems like a lot in such a heated rivalry.

This game will come down to the offensive line for both teams. Whichever team can keep their quarterback clean and upright will have a huge upper hand. My money is on the Miami line being able to do that better than the FSU line. Virginia Tech dominated that Florida State front, but the worst was Syracuse. At least Miami’s unit can say they’ve looked better after the LSU game. Florida State has had issues up front all season.

Home field advantage is typically not a huge component of this Miami team. With Florida State coming to town it will be. Last year this crowd really showed up for the Notre Dame game. Expect similar experience this weekend despite the earlier kickoff.

Prediction: Miami wins but does not cover the spread.