The Miami football games against LSU and Florida State have been named two of the College Football games with the most talent in 2018. NFL.Com highlighted the 18 games featuring the most NFL talent in 2018.
The NFL.Com article is titled “18 for ’18: College football games with most NFL talent.” It is not a surprise that the Miami football games against LSU and Florida State would make the list. All three schools have been football factories for decades.
Six players were drafted from the Miami football team in this year’s NFL Draft, nine last year. LSU had seven 2018 draftees and eight in 2017. Florida State had six players selected in this year’s draft and four in 2017.
Each school had two preseason All-Americans named by Athlon Sports. Miami and LSU had two each named by UPI, while Florida State center Alex Eberle was the only Seminole named as a preseason All-American.
The Hurricanes and Tigers will face one of their most talented opponents in week one. Miami and LSU face off the Sunday night of Labor Day weekend in Arlington, Texas at AT&T Stadium. The game is being televised nationally on ABC.
Scouts at the game and many not in attendance will be watching to view which star players potentially standout. The NFL.Com article specifically mentioned the matchup of Miami Junior wide receiver Ahmmon Richards and LSU star cornerback, Sophomore Greedy Williams.
"12) Miami vs. LSU, Sept. 2 (Arlington, Texas)Matchup to watch: Miami WR Ahmmon Richards vs. LSU CB Greedy Williams.“Mark this game down as one of the true non-conference treats being played in Week 1. Richards is among the fastest players in the game, and will be looking to put a frustrating 2017 season of injuries behind him.Williams is next up in LSU’s long line of pro-bound cornerbacks, and in fact had more ball production last year than Carolina Panthers second-round pick Donte Jackson (Williams led the team with 6 INTs and 17 passes defensed). Keep an eye on LSU LB K’Lavon Chaisson, who could be primed for a breakout season.”"
The Miami-Florida State game is always a marquee matchup of talent if not in national importance. Even last season with the Seminoles down, 12 players were selected in May’s draft from that game. Plenty of players that participated in last year’s game are potential draft picks in 2019.
"6) Florida State at Miami, Oct. 6Matchup to watch: FSU RB Cam Akers vs. Miami LB Shaquille Quarterman.“One of the college game’s most bitter rivalries returns to Miami Gardens with its typically strong contingent of skill-position athletes. Miami’s Quarterman enters his third year as a starter (in 2016, he became UM’s first true freshman starter at middle linebacker since Dan Morgan in 1998).He and S Jaquan Johnson are two of the nation’s top defensive players. The Seminoles counter with QB Deondre Francois, Akers and a small-but-intriguing WR prospect in Nyqwan Murray.”"
Miami, LSU and Florida State all have some of the deepest rosters in College Football. These games can also uncover some potential stars that might not have otherwise been considered.
Darrell Langham stepped up for the first win for the Miami football team in seven years over Florida last season. He caught the game-winning touchdown pass with six seconds remaining.
Two years ago Florida State needed to block an extra point to seal their victory at Hard Rock Stadium. This year might also uncover a player who could get his first chance in the spotlight. Sometimes it can be a player’s 15 minutes of fame. Other times the player’s first chance to shine leads to further success.
The game time for Miami and Florida State has not been set. The game in Tallahassee had to be moved back three weeks last season because of Hurricane Irma. It was also shifted from a Prime Time game in September to a 3:30 PM start time in October. The game time was changed because FSU started the season 1-2.
Whether or not the game is scheduled for prime time this season likely depends on the Seminoles start again. Florida State opens the season at home against Virginia Tech on Labor Day night. They also have road games at Syracuse and Louisville before they travel to Miami.
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A game in primetime on ABC speaks both to the success of the talent on the rosters and the success the teams have on the field. If the Hurricanes and Seminoles play under the lights in October that will enhance Miami’s home field advantage.