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State in a snap: FSU-Miami letdown?

 
Miami Hurricanes defensive back Rayshawn Jenkins (26) celebrates during the first half of the game against the Florida State Seminoles Saturday October 8, 2016 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Monica Herndon, Times)
Miami Hurricanes defensive back Rayshawn Jenkins (26) celebrates during the first half of the game against the Florida State Seminoles Saturday October 8, 2016 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Monica Herndon, Times)
Published Oct. 13, 2016

FSU-Miami letdown?

The aftermath of last week's Hurricanes-Seminoles game will be felt this week thanks to first-half suspensions (FSU LB Matthew Thomas, Miami S Jamal Carter) and bruised bodies (quarterbacks Deondre Francois and Brad Kaaya). Previous physical matchups have led to letdowns the next week:

2014: After nearly knocking off No. 1 FSU, the 'Canes were blown out 30-13 by a five-win Virginia team.

2013: Fumbles on punt and kickoff returns and the punter touching his knee down on a low snap fueled No. 11 Miami's 42-24 home loss to Virginia Tech.

2011: No. 23 'Noles committed 11 penalties and missed what would have been the winning field goal in a 14-13 home loss to Virginia. That same day, Miami needed a field goal as time expired for a 6-3 win over USF.

Waking up

FSU isn't hosting a typical Wake Forest team. The Demon Deacons are 5-1 for the eighth time in school history. Their scoring defense is No. 18 nationally, and a rushing offense that ranked No. 123 last year is averaging 71 more yards a game. Keep an eye on QB John Wolford, who has added a ground threat to his game (five rushing touchdowns so far).

Local of the week

Miami DB Rayshawn Jenkins (Admiral Farragut). The redshirt senior had an impressive performance against FSU, tying for the team lead with six tackles, breaking up two passes and putting a hard hit on Francois. He'll be key if the Hurricanes want to slow down Mitch Trubisky and a powerful UNC passing attack in a pivotal Coastal game.

Hillsborough rematch

Today will mark the third time Marshall QB Chase Litton (Wharton High) and Florida Atlantic DE Haiden Nagel (Sickles High) have faced each other in the last five years, and Litton has held the edge in the previous two times. He threw for 264 yards as a junior in high school in a 29-27 win and completed 60.7 percent of his passes last year in the Thundering Herd's 33-17 win over Nagel's Owls.

Tampa turnovers

USF's offense has been dominant, but don't overlook the its defense. Only nine teams in the country have forced more turnovers than the Bulls, whose 13 takeaways come from 11 different players. Those numbers could rise tonight against UConn. The Huskies are minus-5 in turnover differential (No. 111 nationally).

Explosive Tigers

Missouri's offensive turnaround has been remarkable. The Tigers have already scored more points through five games (185) than they did all of last year. Some of Mizzou's success comes from explosive plays; the Tigers' eight passes of at least 40 yards are tied for No. 11 nationally. That trend will be tough to continue against the Gators, who have only allowed four.