Miami hosts Florida State as 21-point favorites, reports CBS Sports
No. 3 Miami hosts Florida State in a traditional October rivalry game on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, at 7 p.m. at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, with the Hurricanes entering as three-touchdown favorites, cbssports.com reported.
Miami Enters Clash with 5-0 Record
The annual clash carries ACC and national title implications, though this season those conversations focus on Miami. The Hurricanes finished last season as the national runner-up and sit at 5-0 under coach Mario Cristobal. Miami enters the weekend with the largest points-per-game differential in the Football Bowl Subdivision at 39.8 points per game, according to cbssports.com. Of their five games, only a 33-20 win at Wake Forest was decided by fewer than 28 points.
Florida State arrives with a 3-3 record and a 1-3 mark in ACC play under embattled coach Mike Norvell. The Seminoles are looking to avoid falling to 3-4 overall. While Florida State secured crucial wins against Miami in 2021, 2022, and 2023 during Norvell’s eventual ACC Championship run, Cristobal has the chance to string together three straight victories in the series following Miami wins in 2024 and 2025.
Darian Mensah Leads High Ranking Miami Offense
Miami quarterback Darian Mensah anchors the Hurricanes’ offense. Mensah has completed 84.2 percent of his passes for 1,438 yards, 15 touchdowns, and zero interceptions, alongside 79 rushing yards and two scores on the ground, according to si.com. He leads all FBS quarterbacks in completion percentage and passer rating at 212.2.
The Florida State defense faces a difficult test against Miami’s attack. The Seminoles rank 104th nationally in Expected Points Added per pass and sit outside the top 100 in defensive success rate, per si.com. Florida State has struggled against top competition this season, allowing 50 points to Alabama, 44 to Louisville, and 27 to SMU in their three losses.
The Seminoles enter the contest on an eight-game losing streak against AP top-three teams, with their last win in that category coming in the 2013 BCS National Championship Game against Auburn. Florida State also carries a 12-game road losing streak against any AP-ranked opponent, stretching back to a 2016 win in Miami.
Broadcast Details and Betting Odds
DraftKings Sportsbook lists Miami as a 21-point favorite (-112), with Florida State at +21 (-108). The over/under total is set at 55.5 points, according to si.com. The game will air nationally on ESPN and stream on Disney+, as reported by cbssports.com.
Disclaimer: The insights provided in this article are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or sports betting recommendations.