Florida State @ Miami preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 7, 2009 ) Miami 38, Florida State 34

Bobby Bowden won’t be on the sideline, and the game might lack the luster of some previous meetings. But Saturday’s Florida State-Miami contest at Sun Life Stadium remains compelling.

Seven of the past 11 meetings in this storied rivalry have been decided by four points or less, and this year’s matchup should be close, too.

Both teams are coming off impressive wins and are unbeaten in the ACC.

Florida State (4-1, 2-0 ACC) moved back into the rankings at No. 24 after a 34-13 win at Virginia, the Seminoles’ third solid performance since a 47-17 loss at Oklahoma.

Miami (3-1, 1-0) moved up to No. 13 after a tough 30-21 win at Clemson. This will be the Hurricanes’ first home game since their season opener Sept. 2.

The game features two quarterbacks tabbed as potential Heisman candidates entering the season -- Jacory Harris for Miami and Christian Ponder for FSU. But interceptions have plagued Harris at times this season. And Ponder, who posted four 300-yard games last season, is averaging only 168 yards passing a game. Still, he has gone three games without throwing an interception.

Turnovers could determine the outcome. Miami had six takeaways last week against Clemson, the most a Hurricanes team has forced since 2005. Florida State is 6-13 since 2000 when turning the ball over four or more times and 83-32 when it has three turnovers or less. For their part, the Seminoles have forced eight turnovers this season, five of them interceptions.

Both teams bring strong defensive fronts. They rank 1-2 in the nation in both sacks and tackles for loss.

Florida State junior running back Ty Jones missed the Virginia game with an ankle injury and is questionable for Saturday’s game. Miami could be without junior defensive end Marcus Robinson, who has not played since sustaining a knee injury against Ohio State.

Miami leads the series 30-23 and won last year’s game in Tallahassee 38-34 when Jarmon Fortson couldn’t hang onto a pass in the end zone from Ponder on the final play. Ponder would love to atone for that loss by delivering a Seminoles victory and birthday present for first-year head coach Jimbo Fisher, who turns 45 on Saturday.

Miami has won seven of the past 10 meetings.