MIAMI, Fla. – Ahead of Saturday night’s in-state rivalry matchup against the Florida State Seminoles, the No. 3 Miami Hurricanes will have a new starting right guard.

Sophomore Max Buchanan will be sidelined for an extensive portion of the season. He was injured in the Hurricanes’ 41-13 win over Clemson at Death Valley (Memorial Stadium). Despite returning to finish the game, Buchanan underwent surgecal repairs. Given the Hurricanes’ cross-training for offensive linemen, head coach Mario Cristobal will have a plethora of options.

The big question: Who does he trust the most?

It won’t be revealed until kickoff, but here are candidates looking to take the starting role, plus a final prediction.

After Buchanan initially went down against the Tigers, it was the fellow sophomore who stepped in. Alofaituli lost his starting role at left guard to freshman Max Buchanan. The 21-year-old logged 32 offensive snaps and finished with a 55 pass-protection Pro Football Focus grade. However, Alofaituli didn’t allow a sack, pressure, hit, or hurry. He played the entirety of the Hurricanes’ nine-play touchdown drive in the fourth quarter, which they exclusively ran the ball.

However, Alofaituli doesn’t have the traditional size for a guard. He’s listed at 6-2 and 298 pounds. It’s proven to be a weakness at times and the Seminoles could exploit if Alofaituli is lined up at right guard.

It’s been a slow freshman campaign for the former elite five-star recruit. Cantwell has logged just 78 offensive snaps through five games. As both starting tackle roles are occupied by veterans Samson Okunlola (left) and Matthew McCoy (right), the only real opportunities for the 18-year-old to play is in the interior. Cantwell has 59 snaps at right guard, but carving out a rotational role has been a different challenge.

The Nixa (Mo.) native will very likely play at tackle as early as next season, but right guard is currently up for grabs. Cantwell could seize the moment, unless this final candidate has something to say about it.

The Georgia transfer joined the Coral Gables program with experience all over the line of scrimmage, except center. Meriweather has played in a reserve role, but could be the closest to climbing the depth chart. In the Hurricanes’ 52-3 win over Central Michigan, he logged 28 snaps and all were at right guard. Meriweather finished with an 83.3 pass-protection PFF grade. Similar to Cantwell, the redshirt junior is naturally a tackle, but he’s shown comfortability in playing in the interior.

Joining Okunlola, McCoy, and center Ryan Rodriguez at the line of scrimmage is Meriweather, educationally guessed by Roundtable Sports beat writer Anthony Aguirre. He has tremendous and versatile experience, which can benefit the Hurricanes' protection unit.

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