Could the No. 3 Miami Hurricanes be Florida State's Biggest Kryptonite

MIAMI, Fla. – Ahead of an in-state rivalry clash against the Florida State Seminoles, it’s strongly possible the No. 3 Miami Hurricanes have the same defensive game plan for fifth-year quarterback Ashton Daniels as Clemson’s freshman Tait Reynolds:

Stop the run and make him throw more.

Before the Hurricanes’ 41-13 win over Clemson at Death Valley (Memorial Stadium), Tigers sophomore running back Gideon Davidson was a serious threat to watch.  He was among the Atlantic Coast Conference’s rushing leaders. The Hurricanes’ run defense proved overwhelming, holding Davidson to 25 yards on seven carries, including a fourth-and-one stop by sixth-year linebacker Chase Smith that forced a turnover on downs.

The Seminoles provide a similar challenge. Sophomore running back Ousmane Kromah is among the nation’s biggest threats in the backfield. He’s surpassed last season’s production, currently with 565 rushing yards on 100 carries. Kromah has been difficult to bring down; the 20-year-old has 38 forced missed tackles thus far this season.

Hurricanes defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman understands what it takes to stop the run. He’s currently leading the Football Bowl Subdivision in rushing defense. The Hurricanes have allowed just 213 yards on 116 carries through five games. Despite losing star edge rushers Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain Jr. to the NFL, the defense hasn’t experienced any setbacks, with Marquise Lightfoot, Armondo Blount, Damon Wilson II, and Herbert Scroggins III stepping up.

If Kromah is kept in check, it disrupts the Seminoles’ entire offense. They have the second-most rushing attempts in the Atlantic Coast Conference with 232.

Meanwhile, the Hurricanes will live with any explosive play Daniels throws. He has one of the worst completion percentages (14th – 59.5) among Atlantic Coast Conference quarterbacks. Daniels has thrown for 1,320 yards, eight touchdowns and a league-leading seven interceptions. Even with a talented receiver like Duce Robinson, they haven’t connected so well on the field. He’s caught just 17 passes on 35 targets for 294 yards and two touchdowns.

It’s a defensive mismatch heavily favoring Hetherman’s unit. The Hurricanes have a well-rounded pass-rushing unit to disrupt Daniels and cause havoc. As long as they stop Kormah and the rest of the Seminoles’ run game, it gives them a greater chance to come out victorious at Hard Rock Stadium and advance to a 6-0 (ACC 4-0) record.

The Hurricanes have several defenders returning from injury, including cornerback Xavier Lucas and linebacker Ezekiel Marcelin Jr.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. E.T. and will be televised on ESPN.

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