No. 3 Miami will host Florida State at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, with senior running back Mark Fletcher Jr. set to play the Seminoles for the final time in his Miami career.
Miami enters the ACC matchup 5-0 overall and 3-0 in conference play. Florida State is 3-3 overall and 1-2 in the ACC after a 44-20 loss to Louisville. The records differ, but the recent history of the rivalry points to another competitive game.
Seventeen of the series’ last 25 games have been decided by eight points or fewer. Miami won last year’s meeting 28-22 in Tallahassee, adding another close result to a rivalry that has remained difficult to project from the standings.
Fletcher, Mario Cristobal reflect on rivalry
Fletcher grew up a Hurricanes fan and watched Miami-Florida State games as a child. He recalled that his father, Mark Sr., tried to sneak into games while he was in college. Fletcher will now take part in the rivalry for the final time as a Miami player.
“The alumni and just the history of this game, hearing about it, especially being a Hurricanes fan all your life, growing up watching these games, hearing my dad tell stories about it, how he snuck into these games when he was in college and stuff, I just feel like it’s the history,” Fletcher said. “It’s local teams that always had that back and forth. The fact that I even get to play in it now is just a blessing. It’s a great feeling for me.”
Miami head coach Mario Cristobal also grew up in Miami and played in the rivalry as a Hurricanes offensive lineman. He said the matchup represents the intensity and passion associated with the fan bases and the state of Florida.
“To me, it’s the greatest rivalry in sports,” Cristobal said. “I’m always going to be biased, but I remember watching it growing up, being a part of it; the intensity, the passion of the fan bases, the state of Florida, and really, outside the state of Florida as well. They’ve got really good players. We’ve got really good players, and it’s just always been a level of intensity that I believe is unmatched.”
Miami defense prepares for Florida State playmakers
Florida State quarterback Ashton Daniels ranks third nationally with 10 rushing touchdowns. He has completed 59 percent of his passes for 1,320 yards and eight touchdowns while rushing for 323 yards. Running back Ousmane Kromah has added 565 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
Miami defensive back Bryce Fitzgerald said the Hurricanes must be physical and ready for a Florida State offense that can challenge them in multiple ways.
“That’s probably one of the best backs in the country, so just us having a bye week, we’ve got to be coming in ready to tackle and be physical. Everybody’s to the ball,” Fitzgerald said. “They have a great quarterback, big size, likes to run. They make throws. … This is a complete offense. We’re going to have to come in firing. They’re a great first-quarter team, so we’re just going to have to come in and match their energy.”
Miami allows 249.6 yards per game, which ranks fifth nationally among Football Bowl Subdivision programs. The Hurricanes also allow 42.6 rushing yards per game, the best mark in the nation. Linebacker Chase Smith said Miami must stay focused on its preparation despite the attention surrounding the rivalry.
“They definitely have a lot of explosive guys, a lot of very talented guys,” Smith said. “They’re very focused and very determined and we’re just going to go about our process, trying to be 1-0. We’ve got to prepare very well.”
Miami offense enters with strong production
Miami averages 554.8 yards per game, ranking second nationally behind Texas State. Quarterback Darian Mensah leads the nation with an 84.2 completion percentage and has thrown for 1,438 yards and 15 touchdowns through five games. Wide receiver Malachi Toney has 39 receptions for 604 yards and six touchdowns during that span.
Fletcher has contributed 307 rushing yards and five touchdowns through Miami’s first five games. Mensah said the Hurricanes need to establish their intensity from the opening minutes against Florida State.
“We cannot come out there and have a lull,” Mensah said. “We can’t wait until it’s the second quarter this weekend until we start playing. So, our intensity has been kicked up this week at practice, and I think that’s how you bring that to game days.”
Fletcher said Miami expects the matchup to require the same focus and physicality associated with the rivalry.
“That’s what we train for, train for a dog fight. They’re going to come in, they’re going to be ready. They’re a great, great team. So, we’ve just got to stay on point, continue to work and do our job,” Fletcher said.
FSB Take
Miami brings an unbeaten record, the nation’s top rushing defense and a high-producing offense into the matchup. Florida State still has a mobile quarterback and a productive running back capable of testing the Hurricanes, while the series’ recent margin history underscores the importance of execution. For Fletcher, the game also marks his final Miami appearance against Florida State at Hard Rock Stadium.
Source: Original report