FSU game still on at Hard Rock. Options ‘brainstormed’ just in case

A major issue with games in Florida this weekend isn’t the weather forecast for Saturday and Sunday, because those days look to be generally fine around the state. “What we know is that we are going to go up and compete against some very good teams”.

Also, and for now, the game sending No. 23 Florida State to No. 10 Miami is still on as scheduled for Saturday night – though officials from both schools say they are continuing to monitor developments and are discussing contingency plans. Hard Rock Stadium was built to withstand a Category 4 hurricane, but the conditions could prove risky to the players and the fans.

That’s a unsafe brew for Florida State as it prepares for Miami this weekend. And in a series where there’s been decades of big hits, trash talk and never-forget moments, Richt quickly points out that there’s something else linking the Hurricanes and Seminoles as well.

Hard Rock Stadium has a capacity of 78,363. FSU was able to rally from 22 down to beat Ole Miss and almost erased an early 21-point deficit last week against North Carolina, but can not afford to continue to make falling into early holes a habit. Matthew Thomas leads the Florida State Seminoles with 30 tackles, DeMarcus Walker has 6.5 sacks and Tarvarus McFadden has three interceptions. If you look a layer deeper, the Hurricanes’ offense and defense ranks in the top 20 in four of Connelly’s key advanced metrics – IsoPPP (explosiveness), success rate (efficiency), field position, and finishing drives (points per trip inside the 40-yard-line).

Losing to a red-hot Louisville on the road was an understandable loss for the Seminoles, but last Saturday’s 37-35 loss to North Carolina as a 10-point home favorite was a head-scratcher. Brad Kaaya completed 13 of 19 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown.

In Davie, Florida – where a hurricane warning was posted – the Miami Dolphins made a decision to close their offices on Thursday, which was already an off day for players. He took over in 2010 and the team has been to a bowl in each season that he has been in charge. Those plans are now iffy at best, Seminoles coach Jimbo Fisher said. He was the head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs for 15 years, and boasts an overall record of 149-51 as a head coach.

The Miami quarterback still has all the plays that got away from the Hurricanes in those matchups etched in his mind, ones that ultimately meant that his team couldn’t close the deal after holding fourth-quarter leads against their archrival. In 2015, the Hurricanes averaged 119.1 yards per game to rank No. 117 in the nation. Miami defensive coordinator Manny Diaz attended Florida State. Their electric offense will be ready for this matchup.