Florida A&M football is up for the challenge.

The Rattlers (2-0) travel to the Miami Hurricanes (1-0) for Saturday’s Week 2 game at Miami Gardens’ Hard Rock Stadium.

FAMU is ranked 24th in the Football Championship Subdivision Coaches Poll. Miami is ranked 15th amongst Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the US LBM Coaches Poll.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Fans can watch the game on ESPN Plus/ACC Network or listen to the Rattlers mobile app’s audio broadcast.

FAMU, in its Week 1 home opener, narrowly defeated South Carolina State 22-18.

Miami handily beat Florida 41-17 in Week 1.

Atlantic Coast Conference Preseason Player of the Year Cam Ward starred in his Hurricanes debut. The senior quarterback completed 26 of 35 passes for 385 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception.

“Getting ready to face one of the top quarterbacks in the country. They look pretty good on film. They’re extremely athletic, big-time offensive line, and very, very good on the defensive line and skilled positions,” FAMU head coach James Colzie III said in his weekly press conference on Tuesday.

“We have our work cut out for us. But believe me when I say we’ve faced some good FBS programs over the last couple of years. And I expect our guys to come out and play.”

Colzie knows Rattlers his team is facing an uphill battle against the Hurricanes, referencing Miami’s star players Ward and defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. Bain is expected to miss the FAMU game after suffering a soft-tissue injury against Florida.

While the Rattlers prepare, Colzie has incorporated Miami’s fight song in FAMU’s practices to help his team prepare for the loudness expected for the Hurricanes’ home opener.

The first-year FAMU head coach said the Rattlers had a “pretty good practice” on Tuesday.

“Today, we played UM’s fight song all practice so that they can get used to the crowd. Tomorrow [Wednesday], we’ll have it even louder,” Colzie said. “It’s the home opener for those guys, and they’ll be excited. It gives us an opportunity to go on the road and show the country what FAMU football is all about.”

FAMU has 28 FBS transfers. Twelve of them come from Power Four programs.

Colzie will lean on that this week.

“We’ve asked them for some guidance on how to expect that,” Colzie said.

FAMU typically plays an FBS team every year. Those are games that professional football scouts use as a measuring stick for HBCU and FCS players.

Last season, the Rattlers closely played against FBS team South Florida Bulls, falling short 38-25. The last time FAMU beat an FBS team was Miami in 1979.

“These are guys that understand that if you want to have the opportunity to play at the next level, these are the type of games that you need to play well in,” Colzie said.

FAMU football hoping to avoid slow start in game at Miami Hurricanes

The Rattlers have completed comebacks in both their first two games.

In Week 0, FAMU erased a 14-0 deficit against Norfolk State to win 24-23. Last Saturday, FAMU stormed back from down 18-7 in the fourth quarter to beat South Carolina State 22-18.

Colzie likes his team’s resiliency. However, he knows getting down early in the game could trouble the Rattlers against the Hurricanes.

“We don’t sweat. But I think the guys are realizing we cannot allow that to happen this weekend,” Colzie said. “We’ve shown we can come from behind. I want to play from ahead every once in a while.”

Colzie says he goes way back with Miami head coach Mario Cristobal and assistant head coach Alex Mirabal from their South Florida roots and upbringing.

Saturday will be a homecoming of sorts for Colzie, a Miami native.

However, the Rattlers’ coach’s eyes are on the prize ― a chance to pull off an upset and to further assess his team during non-conference games.

“It’s an opportunity to play a good football team on a big stage. And it gives us a chance to let us know where we’re at,” Colzie said.

“We know we have to come to play. Because if we don’t, we could be in a tight spot,” he added.

Florida A&M (2-0) at Miami (1-0) ― Week 2

When: Saturday, Sept. 7 at 6 p.m.

Where: Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida

Broadcast: ESPN Plus/ACC Network, Rattlers mobile app

Tickets: Purchase Here

Gerald Thomas, III covers Florida A&M University Athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at gdthomas@tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU football preparing for uphill battle at Miami Hurricanes