From Week One to Week Five of the 2026 College Football season, the Miami Hurricanes have pretty much obliterated every opponent they have come across. The team got some much-needed rest this past week, but this Saturday, October 17th, they’ll face their biggest rivals, the Florida State Seminoles. Going into this Week Seven Matchup at 5-0, the Hurricanes are looking to avoid being handed their first loss of the season by their long-time foes. Miami currently ranks third in the nation behind Georgia and Notre Dame and will look to continue rising after this rivalry matchup.
Through five games, Hurricanes quarterback Darian Mensah has missed all but 21 pass attempts, going 112 for 133, completing a ridiculous 84% of his passes. The 21-year-old is leading this offense to greatness behind receivers Malachi Toney and Cooper Barkate. Toney has racked up 604 receiving yards in 2026, which is currently eighth in the nation, while Barkate posted a season-high of 98 yards during Miami’s 41-13 win over the Clemson Tigers on October 3rd. The defense looked hefty in that win as well, recording six sacks and an interception. With most of the team fully healthy, they should be able to compete against their biggest rivals.
Florida State struggled last Friday against Louisville in a 44-20 loss; however, prior to the most recent defeat, the Seminoles won against Virginia 38-7 and Central Arkansas 34-7. Quarterback Ashton Daniels has completed about 60 percent of his passes while throwing for over 1,300 yards and completing eight touchdowns while throwing seven interceptions. The Seminoles’ defense has been inconsistent this entire season, giving up just seven points twice, while allowing 44 against the Cardinals and 50 points against the Alabama Crimson Tide on September 19th. However, they must lock in if they want to defeat one of the best teams in the nation.
If the Seminoles want to win this game, the defense must stay awake in all four quarters and continue to pressure Mensah and the defense. Against Wake Forest back on September 18th, the 21-year-old quarterback and Miami’s offense struggled, which allowed Demon Deacons quarterback Gio Lopez to exert a large amount of confidence in a close 33-20 loss. Wake Forest has been the closest team to dethrone the Hurricanes, and Florida State may want to follow that game plan. The Seminoles know that if the defense is locked in every time and Daniels can get as many opportunities with the ball as possible, Florida State could change the trajectory of the Hurricanes' season.
With it being a rivalry game, the competition will be there. The question is, who will want it more? Florida State must pressure Mensah and the Hurricanes’ offense as much as possible and get them flustered. Getting Daniels every opportunity he can with the football could boost Florida State’s odds of winning this game. Yet, until that is proven, you have to stick with the Hurricanes here until someone does break their undefeated streak. I would predict a 38-27 game for Miami, keeping their undefeated dreams alive.
