College Football Saturdays, the gift that keeps on giving. The slate is never short of a compelling matchup. This weekend, fans are subject to a classic rivalry as the Florida State Seminoles(1-6) take on the short journey south to face the no.6 Miami Hurricanes(7-0) at Hard Rock Stadium. The two teams’ traversal through the season to come into this matchup couldn’t be more different. But everything goes out the window when these two step on the gridiron, seeking to inflict damage and restore pride. Previous iterations of this fixture hold the record for the 1st and 2nd most viewed CFB games in ESPN history, and the crew in the booth this Saturday are ready for more of the same.

Restoring pride for the Miami Hurricanes would mean ending a 3 game-losing streak to FSU, and Cam Ward’s cannon arm sure helps the cause. The Seminoles, meanwhile, look to instill some life into their season from hell. Best believe that a win over Miami to dampen their postseason aspirations would go some way with the FSU faithful. To contextualize these underlying facets and much more, audiences nationwide will be treated to duo Dave Pasch and Dusty Dvoracek on the playcall, with Taylor McGregor reporting the action from the sideline.

The two have become synonymous to college football fans over the last 4 seasons of them working together. Pasch brings heaps of experience, 20 long years of it, as a college football broadcaster for ESPN. There’s nothing on the gridiron that he has not seen before, and a game of this stature fits his wheelhouse.

His comrade Dvoracek was a D-lineman for the Sooners and later the Bears. He brings insight molded through years in the thick of the action, refined in the booth. Together, these two are set to elevate what should be an addition in the storied history of this rivalry. Does FSU have anything more than a puncher’s chance against the best offense in the country in their own backyard? Let us assess the landscape.

Miami vs Florida State – What to expect from the latest iteration?

There are no prizes for guessing that the Miami Hurricanes, led by Hiesman contender Cam Ward, are heavily favored (-21). Ward threw for 319 yards and 4 TDs last weekend away to Louisville. In what will be his first game against FSU, he and his coach, Mario Cristobal, will both look to get the figurative monkey off their backs and overcome their arch-rival. The last meeting between the two at Hard Rock ended in a 3-45 pounding in favor of the Seminoles. As roles appear reversed heading into the weekend, Miami will want it back in the blood.

Florida State, on the other hand, are not quite humming on offense as much as their Sunshine State counterparts. In fact, Mike Norvell’s outfit holds the unwanted record of being the only FBS program this season to not rack up 21 or more points in a game. But there is a silver lining, as Miami’s defense is gettable, to say the least. They have allowed at least 34 points in each of their last 3 games.

Something’s got to give come Saturday, as an offense looking for a spark plays a defense allowing bulk points. So it’ll be fair to say Florida State could potentially be in with a shout. Stranger things have happened.