No. 3 Hurricanes Know They Must Tackle Seminoles RB Kromah

It has been said by many, including Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal, that the Florida State-Miami game is “the best rivalry in college football.”

The No. 3 Hurricanes have one of the more complete teams in college football, ranked No. 1 in total offense and scoring offense.

In addition, they are No. 1 in rushing defense. Miami has allowed zero games over 100 yards rushing this season, 42 yards rushing per game, and only one rushing touchdown this season.

That lone rushing touchdown was allowed in Miami’s win over Clemson, a game in which the Tigers rushed for only 55 yards.

The Hurricanes, as dominant as they are, recognize that Florida State running back Ousmane Kromah is a great football talent, and that he must be stopped.

Miami linebacker Mohamed Toure commented on Kromah in the media availability Wednesday.

“He has gotten light years better and is going to be a challenge,” said Toure. “We have to make sure we tackle him.”

That is good strategy, considering that Kromah leads the nation in forced missed tackles. Kromah is No. 2 in the ACC in rushing yards with 565 yards, and No. 3 in the conference in rushing yards per game with 94 yards per game.

In the 44-20 loss to Louisville, Kromah rushed for 88 yards but did not find the end zone.

Kromah has not scored a rushing touchdown in two weeks, not since scoring two in the win over Central Arkansas.

Last season, in a loss to Miami, Kromah was held to just 23 yards on six carries and no touchdowns.

As +21.5-point underdogs, Florida State coach Mike Norvell will have to call the game of his coaching career.

Norvell must utilize every weapon he has and call plays in a balanced attack if Florida State is to have any chance of winning this game.

The offensive line will have to create a clean pocket for quarterback Ashton Daniels and clear running lanes for Kromah.

Daniels has 10 rushing touchdowns this season, but the Seminoles cannot afford to be one-dimensional against a team like Miami.

If Kromah can run to the second level of Miami’s defense, it could open up the passing game for Florida State and their talented trio of receivers: 6-foot-6 Duce Robinson, Jayvan Boggs, and Micahi Danzy.

Miami owns a 37-33 record in this rivalry. The Hurricanes have won the last two meetings, and six of the last ten.  

During that time, Florida State has won on the road against Miami only twice: in 2022 and 2016.

If Kromah can cause the Hurricanes some missed tackles, maybe the third time is the charm for Florida State.