The Miami Hurricanes and Florida State Seminoles renew their annual rivalry on Saturday night at 7:30 pm ET at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee. The Hurricanes come into the matchup looking like one of the best teams in the country. That’s in large part due to offensive and defensive lines that have simply dominated through their first four games, with Carson Beck and the passing game being inconsistent at times but productive when they need it.

Meanwhile, Florida State’s surging momentum came to a screeching halt last weekend against Virginia in a 46-38 double overtime loss. But QB Tommy Castellanos talked about how that can be a wakeup call and an opportunity for them to re-focus on the task at hand. And it’s Miami, so the need to focus really shouldn’t be all that necessary, in addition to the game being huge for both teams’ ACC title chances, particularly for Florida State with one loss already.

Miami vs. Florida State football rivalry snapshot

With the game just around the corner, some of our college football writers put forth their score predictions and how they see this one playing out.

Miami vs. Florida State game predictions

Miami 34, Florida State 31

This is such a huge game for the Seminoles as they have now lost their first game of the season in a very close one to the Virginia Cavaliers, who are pretty good offensively. That game showed how bad the Seminoles’ defense really is, especially when it comes to late in the game. The Hurricanes may be the best team in college football, as far as everything we have seen.

This one is going to tell whether Week 1 against the Alabama Crimson Tide was a fluke or if last week was a fluke for the Seminoles. Are they a serious team? This is the only true test left for them on a schedule that honestly isn’t hard at all. Unfortunately for them, I have them losing this game to Miami, but because of that electric offense, I have it being somewhat close. – Justin Churchill, A to Z Sports Florida State

Miami 31, Florida State 27

Both Florida teams (you can even throw USF into this conversation) have been great surprises so far this season. Florida State is coming off of a tough loss to Virginia, but they are still a team playing with a lot of energy under head coach Mike Norvell. Quarterback Thomas Castellanos has been very good for the team, as has wide receiver Duce Robinson. The Seminoles have more than enough talent to keep this game close, and potentially win in the end. On paper, I do believe that Miami has the more talented roster. Their offensive and defensive lines are more impactful right now, and that usually wins football games.

It’s a rivalry game, and Florida State is at home, so that tends to level the playing field. I have a feeling that quarterback Carson Beck and pass rusher Rueben Bain just make a couple of key plays to win this one. – Ryan Roberts, A to Z Sports Notre Dame

Miami 34, Florida State 23

Florida State was a great story to start the year, beating Alabama after Tommy Castellanos called his shot, and starting the year 3-0 following a terrible 2-10 2024 season. However, they’re beginning to show who they really are. Following the loss to Virginia they now rank 67th in yards per drop back allowed, and 72nd in pass success rate allowed–this includes the games against East Texas A&M and Kent State.

Florida State’s pass defense is going to be a problem against Carson Beck and Miami’s efficient, explosive passing attack. Combine that with Miami’s strong defense headed up by future first round pick edge defender Rueben Bain and the list of problems for the Seminoles gets long quickly. Miami dominates most the game, but the Seminoles do enough to keep it respectable. – Travis May, A to Z Sports CFB & NFL Draft Managing Editor

Miami 31, Florida State 27

I think this is a game where a lot of things are potentially stacking up again Miami. This is their first game away from home this season, and in a place as loud as Doak Campbell Stadium, that matters, particularly with a quarterback, offensive line, and pass catchers that don’t have experience in previous years together handling that.

But, at the end of the day, Miami’s talent on the lines of scrimmage eventually win out. Florida State will get theirs, as Castellanos and Duce Robinson have a big day together in the passing game. But when Miami needs one drive to close the game out, they do what they’ve done all year – push the defense back and move forward. – A to Z Sports Miami