Florida State football: Miami game gives Seminoles another opportunity to show growth as a program

The last time Florida State played at Miami, Mike Norvell endured what he described as one of his toughest coaching experiences.

The Hurricanes clobbered the Seminoles in that 2020 game at Hard Rock Stadium, totaling 517 yards of offense in a 52-10 win.

Norvell, who was one game removed from his debut as FSU’s coach, watched it all in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19. Tight ends coach Chris Thomsen stood in as the on-site interim coach, leaving Norvell without much influence.

“I don't know a better way to put it. It was awful,” Norvell said.

Closer look at FSU's explosive offense: How this 2022 Florida State offense compares to some of program's best in recent history

Sunshine State rivals: Florida State and Miami each look to build momentum for strong finishes

More FSU football: Trey Benson, D'Mitri Emmanuel earn ACC Player of the Week honors

When the Seminoles hired Norvell, they were widely considered to be in a rebuilding phase. The outcome of that game – which is still FSU’s largest point differential in a loss under Norvell – turned that perception into reality on a national stage.

The Seminoles have learned countless other lessons throughout their storied rivalry with the Hurricanes. And even after the national-championship stakes faded, this game still served as a credible measuring stick for both programs.

It led to FSU firing Willie Taggart in 2019.

It partly led to Miami firing Manny Diaz last season.

And it’s why the Seminoles (5-3, 3-3 ACC) are not overlooking the underwhelming Hurricanes (4-4, 2-2) before their clash at 7:30 p.m. Saturday (TV: ABC).

“The preparation of it didn't begin just yesterday,” Norvell said. “This is a year-long preparation for this game. There's only two teams that I talk about in our very first team meeting, and this is one of them. …

“Every year, it doesn't matter what's happened up until that point. This is a game that you want to win.”

One of FSU’s biggest wins under Norvell so far came this past November against Miami.

After an 0-4 start last season, the Seminoles had an inspiring 5-3 finish. Those five wins included their dramatic 31-28 victory over the Hurricanes. Diaz was relieved from his duties a month later, even though Miami won the other final games in its last half of the season.

“That was a big game for our program,” FSU offensive coordinator Alex Atkins said. “But it was more of what we were coming from to get to that point.”

Where the Seminoles are compared to 2020 is an even bigger gap now. They are 7.5-point favorites against the Hurricanes, which would be their highest betting advantage when facing them on the road since 2012.

Miami struggling under first-year coach Mario Cristobal partly explains why FSU is favored by that much. But the Seminoles also have come a long way since their last trip to Hard Rock Stadium.

They have another chance to prove it Saturday.

“Those are the best lessons you can teach,” said Atkins about the 2020 loss. “It’s like touching the stove hot – those burnt fingers remind you every day of what can happen if you don’t listen.

“As a team, I’ve already heard some murmurs about that happening from guys who were here on this team and knowing what steps they have to take to make sure that doesn’t happen.

“And what caused us to be unsuccessful.”

Analyzing FSU's win over Georgia Tech: What to like, not like from Seminoles' win over Georgia Tech

Miami observations

Another FSU game, another opponent playing coy about its quarterback situation.

Just like Duquesne, LSU and Georgia Tech did, Miami does not appear to be willing to announce which quarterback will start against the Seminoles.

Cristobal indicated in his press conference Monday that he’s preparing three of his quarterbacks – Tyler Van Dyke, Jake Garcia and Jacurri Brown – to play. Which quarterback will earn the start and how the reps would be divided among those three, though, remains unclear.

Van Dyke entered the season as the entrenched starter and even claimed the third-most votes for ACC Preseason Player of the Year. But he has yet to play in a game since suffering a shoulder injury against Duke on Oct. 22.

It’s also still uncertain whether he will be available Saturday.

If Van Dyke does not dress out, Garcia has been the quarterback to take his place. Brown, who has not completed a pass yet this season, fills more of an occasional wildcat role.

“When we're preparing for different people, No. 1, you have to prepare for all of them because if it happens, that's what you needed to prepare for,” FSU defensive coordinator Adam Fuller said.

“But in this case, this week, really they play three guys.”

The Hurricane offense has struggled with all three quarterbacks.

Miami ranks poorly in most of the major statistical categories on offense, including No. 82 nationally in passing efficiency (131.99), No. 76 in scoring (27.4 points per game) and No. 89 in rushing offense (132.2 yards per game).

On defense, the Hurricanes are respectable in most areas. They come in at No. 24 in run defense (113.5 rushing yards allowed per game), No. 34 in total defense (343 yards allowed per game) and No. 44 in scoring (22.5 points allowed per game).

Their weakness is in the secondary. Miami has the worst pass-efficiency defense on the Seminoles’ schedule. They rank No. 100, allowing a 140.86 rating on average.

“(Kevin) Steele has been in the game for a long time and done an excellent job. He is known as an elite D-coordinator,” said Atkins of the Hurricanes’ assistant coach. “He evolves with not only his personnel, but also things that give offenses trouble. …

“He adjusts to the scheme, he keeps up with the times and those guys play fast without questions. That is why he’s had a lot of success on defense. He does a good job.”

More FSU football: Predicting how Florida State will finish in its final five games, plus what each win would mean

Injury updates

Norvell expressed optimism Monday when giving injury updates on defensive tackle Fabien Lovett, running back Treshaun Ward and right tackle Jazston Turnetine.

Lovett played against Georgia Tech in limited fashion, receiving just 25 snaps. It was his first game since he suffered a lower right leg injury against LSU on Sept. 4.

“Fabian came out really well,” Norvell said. “He's going to be great going into this week.”

Ward has yet to play in a game since he went down with an apparent collarbone injury at NC State on Oct. 8.

“He was more active yesterday. We're expecting him to hopefully be available,” Norvell said. “He did a lot there on Friday. Just wasn't ready to play in the game. We'll see where he goes throughout the course of the week.”

Turnetine permanently left the Georgia Tech game with an undisclosed injury. Utility offensive lineman Darius Washington replaced him.

“We will see how he progresses through the week,” said Norvell of Turnetine.

GAME INFORMATION

Who: FSU (5-3, 3-3 ACC) vs. Miami (4-4, 2-2)

When/where: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Hard Rock Stadium

TV/Radio: ABC/94.9 FM

Live game updates: www.Tallahassee.com; @CarterKarels on Twitter; @Ehsan_Kassim on Twitter; @JimHenryTALLY on Twitter

Reach Carter Karels at ckarels@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @CarterKarels. You can also follow our coverage on Facebook (NoleSports) and Instagram (tlhnolesports).

No one covers the ‘Noles like the Tallahassee Democrat. Subscribe using the link at the top of the page and never miss a moment.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football: Miami game gives Seminoles another opportunity to show growth