Florida State vs. Miami Is Perfect Chance for Al Golden to Silence Critics

Al Golden isn't getting fired.

But the criticism won't go away...yet.

The Miami Hurricanes will host their in-state rival Saturday, Nov. 15, battling the No. 3 Florida State Seminoles at 8 p.m. ET. Of course, it hasn't been much of a true rivalry lately, with the 'Noles winning the previous four meetings overall and last four in South Florida.

Golden, who holds a 28-18 career record at "The U," is constantly berated for the lack of a signature win, a device typically used to say, "He hasn't beaten FSU."

A victory over the Seminoles would most definitely provide it, however, and the 2014 edition of the matchup is the fourth-year coach's best opportunity to upend the Seminoles.

Year	Florida State	Miami	Location
2009	34	38	Tallahassee, FL
2010	45	17	Miami Gardens, FL
2011*	23	19	Tallahassee, FL
2012*	33	20	Miami Gardens, FL
2013*	41	14	Tallahassee, FL

Following two seasons of mediocre teams, Miami entered last year's meeting at 7-0. The seemingly promising squad had just attained the program's first No. 7 ranking in the AP poll since 2005.

Despite the undefeated start, though, the Hurricanes really weren't above average. They needed a desperate fourth-quarter comeback at North Carolina to overcome Stephen Morris' four-interception showing and barely limped past Wake Forest.

Florida State, on the other hand, was special. The 27-point blowout wasn't a surprise.

Stephen Morris and Allen Hurns connected for two first-half touchdowns, and Miami had life entering halftime, down just seven. But after the break, the 'Noles flexed their collective muscles and started to run Miami out of Doak Campbell Stadium.

The biggest problem for the 'Canes, of course, was Duke Johnson could no longer run. He sustained a broken ankle as the third quarter neared conclusion, and it ended his sophomore campaign.

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Miami was trailing by three touchdowns at the time, so a comeback with its star was unlikely, let alone without Johnson. It ultimately dropped the tilt 41-14.

Jimbo Fisher's team eventually earned a national championship, and Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston would be returning to repeat the feat.

But the Seminoles aren't the same dominant group. They're good—oh, they're still really good—but they have evident flaws. Florida State hasn't run the ball consistently, its defense has surrendered more yards and slow starts have plagued the 2014 roster.

Against the three of the top defenses they've faced—Clemson, Notre Dame and Virginia—the 'Noles mustered just 1.9 yards per rushing attempts. A pair of 35-plus-yard Dalvin Cook touchdown runs aided Florida State's 5.8 mark versus Louisville, but Miami has only allowed four runs of 20-plus, which is tops in the nation.

The FSU defense has allowed opponents to gain more than 350 yards in six of nine contests, something only Auburn accomplished last season. Currently, the unit sits at No. 50 and concedes 374.0 yards per outing, the school's worst clip since 2009.

Plus, the Seminoles trailed North Carolina State 24-7 and Louisville 21-0, needed fourth-quarter comebacks to outlast Oklahoma State and Notre Dame and then fought off a pesky Virginia troop last week.

Conversely, the Hurricanes are better. Fisher agrees, per Brendan Sonnone of the Orlando Sentinel:

"

They're in the system longer. [Offensive coordinator James] Coley's down there in the offensive system another year. The guys are older. Defensively they're in the system a lot more and those guys are more experienced. They seem to be playing very good football. I thought they were last year at this time. I really did.

"

Miami's run defense has ceded 131.9 yards per contest, good enough for No. 31 at the FBS level and a clear progression over last season's No. 78 standing. Johnson and Co. have amassed 994 yards and nine touchdowns during their last three showings. The 'Canes have scored first in eight of nine games and possess an average 20.0 to 9.9 halftime advantage.

What's more, the team is building off the best two-game stretch of Golden's tenure. Yes, the matchups were Virginia Tech and North Carolina, but it doesn't matter that Miami didn't upset Mississippi State and Alabama.

The Hurricanes flat-out owned the Hokies and Heels, and that point cannot be simply dismissed without acknowledgement of clear improvement.

Now, Florida State has monopolized the second half, boasting a 190-98 advantage out of the locker room, including a 102-45 edge during the third quarter. Should Miami be close at the finish, it means the team capitalized on the previously discussed topics and didn't allow the Seminoles to dictate the tertiary frame.

According to Christy Cabrera Chirinos of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, senior defensive end Anthony Chickillo recognizes that challenge:

"

Teams jump out on them. Everyone's really excited to come out and play against them. I would say this, they're a team that's never rattled. They know how to win, they know how to compete and when teams do jump out on them, it doesn't affect them at all.

They come out swinging in the third quarter and if we can match that, if we can get ahead like other teams have and match them coming out in the third quarter, I think we'll be alright.

"

A complete, 60-minute effort is what the Hurricanes will need to outlast their rival. That victory would supply Golden the signature win for which critics, doubters and naysayers have clamored.

Golden's current one is probably a 22-10 victory over Duke this season. While it was certainly an outstanding performance, toppling the Blue Devils is not and will never be flashy at Miami. That isn't a slight on Duke, it's a testament to the arrogance of a program that hasn't been truly relevant in a decade.

But Florida State provides that glamorous accomplishment.

The opportunity is there; Miami has the talent, a recent hot streak and four consecutive losses to Florida State for motivation. The Seminoles remain a top team and a tall task to overcome, but their shortcomings can be exploited.

If the Hurricanes manage to pull it off, Golden will silence the most negative crowd he's encountered while in Coral Gables: His own fans.

Note: Stats courtesy of CFBStats.com and B/R research.

Follow Bleacher Report college football writer David Kenyon on Twitter: @Kenyon19_BR.