The 3 Biggest X-Factors for Florida State vs. Miami

Florida State and Miami square off at Sun Life Stadium in a game that could either make or break the Seminoles' season and in turn possibly change the trajectory of the Hurricanes' program.

An FSU loss Saturday night would end the team's 25-game winning streak and give 'Canes coach Al Golden the biggest win of his tenure.

On the flip side, a 'Noles win would push the defending national champions past what is arguably the last true test before postseason play and would continue the trend as this being a one-sided rivalry in favor of Florida State.

Let's take a look at the three biggest X-factors in this game.

Duke Johnson

Nati Harnik/Associated Press

Miami's superstar tailback is the biggest X-factor for Saturday night's game.

Duke Johnson would probably be a legitimate Heisman Trophy favorite if the Hurricanes didn't have three losses. Instead, he is simply the best player on his team and one of the very best at his position in the entire country.

Florida State hasn't necessarily struggled against the run in 2014, but the Seminoles haven't been nearly as dominant as they were a year ago, when they won the national championship.

FSU is allowing 135.67 rushing yards per game after allowing 124.79 last year. Meanwhile, Johnson ranks eighth nationally in 2014 with his own average of 134.78 yards per game.

Johnson is a game-breaker who averages 7.68 yards per carry. He can update the scoreboard every time he touches the football and has the ability to put a defense on its heels.

"He's as good as anybody we've played against," FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said.

Jameis Winston

Mark Wallheiser/Associated Press

Jameis Winston only threw 10 interceptions during his Heisman-winning 2013 campaign, but he has already thrown 11 in nine games this season.

Winston admitted after FSU’s latest win that his turnover troubles are hurting the Seminoles, so does he clean it up against Miami or do the Hurricanes take advantage of some giveaways?

According to Corey Clark of the Tallahassee Democrat, 71 of the 202 points Florida State has surrendered this season have come off turnovers. If Winston isn’t careful with the football, the Hurricanes could make him and the Seminoles pay.

Roberto Aguayo

Mike Groll/Associated Press

Hey, this is Florida State versus Miami after all.

Despite a history of kicking woes against the Hurricanes, FSU just may boast a kicker in Roberto Aguayo who could go down as one of the greatest in college football history.

A season after winning the Lou Groza Award and setting the FBS single-season scoring record among kickers, Aguayo has been just as dominantly automatic as a redshirt sophomore. Through two seasons as the Seminoles’ starting kicker, Auguayo has missed only twice on 174 total kicks.

His consistency is a welcome respite from the years of angst FSU fans associated with special teams in rivalry games against the Hurricanes.

Should this year’s matchup come down to the right leg of a Seminoles kicker, history very likely won’t be a concern.

Brandon Mellor is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Statistics are courtesy of Seminoles.com. All recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow @BrandonMellor on Twitter.