Why Miami needs a blowout win against Florida State

It's officially Miami-FSU week, and this rivalry has not been kind to the Hurricanes lately. Miami is 4-10 in their last 14 matchups with Florida State, losing each year since 2010 except from 2017-2020. Miami's current losing streak to Florida State is at three games.

Miami had lost 31-2 to Florida State in 2021 and 27-20 in 2023. In 2022, FSU defeated Miami 45-3 in a somewhat disrespectful fashion, going for it on fourth down with three minutes left in the game before scoring another touchdown. The shoes between Florida State and Miami have switched.

Miami is the sixth-ranked team in the country at 7-0 while the 1-6 Seminoles have been the laughingstock of college football this year. FanDuel has Miami as a 20.5-point favorite against their rival.

Following the game, Mario Cristobal was asked about the Seminoles running up the score, to which he replied:

"I don't care about that stuff. It's their job to score and it's our job to stop them. One day, we'll switch shoes."

- Miami HC Mario Cristobal

A blowout win would do wonders for the Miami Hurricanes. Of course, it would give the team and its fans bragging rights for at least a year. It would also avenge that loss in 2022, something Mario Cristobal desperately wants to do even if he won't say it outright.

But in terms of where Miami is heading in the 2024 season, it could propel them to new heights. Miami's three ACC games have all been close, with two very nearly being losses. A blowout win could reset their confidence ahead of the final four ACC games on the schedule.

It would also give the Hurricanes the chance to play a comfortable game wire-to-wire, something they haven't done since their 62-0 win over Ball State in mid-September. Of course, Miami later beat USF 50-15, but the first half of the game was a struggle before the Hurricanes were able to pull away in the second half.

Miami is still being doubted by a lot of people. Despite being 7-0, they remain stuck at number six in the Associated Press Top 25 behind one-loss teams Ohio State, Texas and Georgia. Continuing to only play close games will fuel the doubt that exists surrounding Miami, especially if they are unable to pull away against a lowly FSU team.

For the rivalry, for the trajectory of this team, and to quiet the doubters, a blowout win for Miami against FSU is more significant than it seems. There's no doubt Mario Cristobal will have his team ready to play, looking for a massive win.