It feels like it has been a year since the last time we saw Florida State take the field. FSU cancelled their Week 2 match up against University of Louisiana-Monroe due to the threat of Hurricane Irma and followed that up with postponing their Week 3 game against the University of Miami from September 16th to October 7th.
Saturday will mark 267 days since the last time 12th ranked FSU won a game after losing to Alabama 24-7 to open the season on September 2nd. To make matters more interesting, FSU will debut a new starting quarterback after Deondre Francois went down with a torn patella tendon in his left knee ruling him out for the remainder of the season.
James Blackman will be under center for the Noles to resume their season in week 4 as the Noles host NC State in their first conference game of the season. Blackman is a true freshman from Bell Glade, Florida standing at 6’5”,185 pounds. He is a lanky quarterback with a strong arm and has been praised by Jimbo Fisher and members of the FSU team for his leadership.
Kickoff for Blackman’s debut and Florida State’s return to the field is set for 12:00pm ET.
As for Miami, they too are returning to the field after cancelling their away game against Arkansas State and, of course, postponing the aforementioned game against Florida State. The Hurricanes are currently (1-0) on the season after beating Bethune-Cookman 41-13 to open the season. Miami totaled 550 total yards of offense in their season debut.
This Saturday the 14th ranked Hurricanes host Toledo at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, but the team has been practicing 253 miles away in Orlando as the Coral Gables campus at the University of Miami remains closed.
Miami coach Mark Richt released his team on September 6th to prepare for the Hurricane and September 16th was UM’s’ first practice together to prepare for Toledo.
Kickoff for Miami’s return to South Florida is slated for 3:30pm.
