In Week 9 of the 2024 season, Florida State football drives down to South Florida for another brotherly rivalry against the Miami Hurricanes.

October is crucial for FSU but could determine where we stand with the Seminoles after facing Clemson, Duke and then Miami.

The Seminoles have beaten the Hurricanes in the last three years and want to continue their winning streak while continuing to make their case for the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff.

The last time FSU beat Miami at Hard Rock Stadium was in the 2022 season after the Seminoles blew out the Canes 45-3. If the Seminoles leave Hard Rock victorious over UM, it will be the first time since 2013 that FSU beat Miami in four consecutive years. FSU's longest winning streak over Miami is seven.

We take a look at the Hurricanes and their 2024 season.

Who is Miami's head coach

Mario Cristobal will be entering his third season as head coach in Miami. He is 12-13 with the 12-13 with the Hurricanes and 74-73 in his head coaching career.

Before returning to his alma mater, Cristobal spent five seasons at Oregon, working his way up from offensive coordinator to head coach. Before that, he was at Alabama where he carried three positions as an associate head coach, offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator.

His first head coaching job was at Florida International University. In five seasons, he gave the Panthers its first Sun Belt title and two bowl appearances. He was fired after a 3-9 season.

Cristobal was a former offensive lineman at UM and was part of two national championship teams (1989, 1991).

FSU-Miami all-time record

35-33, Miami

Last meeting between FSU and Miami

FSU beat Miami, 27-20, on Nov. 11, 2023 at Doak Campbell Stadium.

Miami's top players

Offense: RB Mark Fletcher Jr. 515 rushing yards, five TDs; WR Xavier Restrepo 85 rec. 1092 receiving yards, six TDs; WR Jacolby George 57 rec. 864 yards, eight TDs; OL Jalen Rivers, OL Francis Mauigoa, OL Anez Cooper, OL  Javion Cohen

Defense DL Reuben Bain 44 tackles,12.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles; LB Francisco Mauigoa 82 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, three passes defended, one INT, DB Darryl Porter Jr., 23 tackles, four passes defended, P Dylan Joyce

Miami's key losses, additions

Key losses: QB Tyler Van Dyke, QB Jacurri Brown, RB Henry Parrish, RB Donald Chaney, WR Colbie Young, WR Brashard Smith, DL Jared Harrison-Hunte, LB KJ Cloyd, LB Corey Flagg, CB Jaden Davis, Te'Cory Coutch, S Kamren Kitnchens, S James Williams

Key additions: QB Cam Ward, RB Damien Martinez, DL CJ Clark, DL Marleyy Cook, OL Zach Carpenter, Elijah Alston, S Isaiah Taylor, Edge S Mishael Powell

Outlook on Miami Hurricanes

With Cristobal entering his third year on his 10-year contract, patience is running thin in Coral Gables. He is 02 and against the Seminoles. He has lost games in an embarrassing fashion against Middle Tennessee in 2022 and Georgia Tech in 2023.

The Hurricanes lost some talent to the transfer portal, such as quarterback Tyler Van Dyke running back Henry Parish and wide receiver Colbie Young.

However, they addressed the position's need by adding former Washington State quarterback Cam Ward and Oregon State running back Damien Martinez. Miami should be more physical up front on offense and defense than FSU's front line.

The Hurricanes will be tested immediately in Week 1 against the Florida Gators on Aug. 31. Their first ACC opener will be against Virginia Tech. Then, they will have two straight road games at Cal and Louisville before returning home to face archrival FSU.

If things go FSU's way, a road victory against FSU can be the deciding factor for the Seminoles returning to the ACC Championship and continuing to put themselves in playoff contention.

Florida State football schedule 2024

• Aug. 24 vs. Georgia Tech *Dublin, Ireland at noon p.m., ESPN

• Sept. 2 vs. Boston College at 7:30 p.m., ESPN

• Sept. 14 vs. Memphis

• Sept. 21 vs. California

• Sept. 28 at SMU

• Oct. 5 vs. Clemson

• Oct. 18 at Duke

• Oct. 26 at (U) Miami

• Nov. 2 vs. North Carolina

• Nov. 9 at Notre Dame

• Nov. 23 vs. Charleston Southern

• Nov. 30: Florida

• Dec. 7: ACC Championship

BOLD = ACC

* = Neutral Site

Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Deep dive on FSU football's Week 9 opponent vs. Miami