The FSU vs. Miami Week 6 matchup is shaping up to be a major cannon event in Tallahassee. And let’s just say, FSU QB Thomas Castellanos isn’t the only one taking bold shots before this high-powered rivalry game. Both the powerhouses have met 69 times since their first game in 1951. And guess what? Miami is sincerely leading the win streak with 36–33 as of last year. Then there’s the infamous “Wide Right I,” when Florida State’s Gerry Thomas sailed a potential game-winning field goal just to the right, handing Miami a 17-16 victory.

That 1991 saga kept its momentum even next year with another heartbreaking miss from Florida State that sealed Miami’s win again. The energy from those nail-biting football clashes seems to have ignited something special across the entire Miami sports program. And now Miami’s basketball crew is doubling down on that dominance, powered by the Hurricanes football group. Miami point guard Tre Donaldson recently stunned fans and rivals when he unexpectedly took a shot at FSU quarterback Thomas Castellanos.

“Aye, FSU fans tell Tommy to get ready, them boys get to Tallahassee today,” Donaldson writes on his Instagram story. “No need to be scared, they ain’t gone get you till Saturday.” Now that’s big talk against Tommy. And especially after he sincerely backed his “they don’t have Nick Saban to save them” bold claim just a few weeks ago, with a 31-17 win. That game was a statement game. He rushed for a game-high 78 yards and scored the Seminoles’ first touchdown of the season. Throughout the season, Castellanos has been an offensive force. How? He passed for 848 yards with 4 touchdowns and 3 interceptions, maintaining a solid QBR of 78.3.

His highlights include a deep 82-yard touchdown pass to Duce Robinson, a 237-yard game, and multiple rushing touchdowns. These make him a mobile nightmare for defenses. And wait, he got his accolades too, such as the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback of the Week, cementing his rising star status. However, things took a major turn for FSU and Tommy after that tragic loss against Virginia Tech. The loss came in a dramatic double overtime thriller, ending 46-38, and it raised serious questions about FSU’s resilience and ability to handle adversity going forward. Tommy, though, put up a good fight.

He threw for 254 yards and 1 passing TD. He was lethal throughout, rushing for 78 yards and scoring 1 rushing TD. But the FSU O-Line couldn’t protect their QB to the fullest, which resulted in him getting sacked twice. But that loss makes it even more crucial for the Seminoles to win against Miami. Donaldson’s jab and the Seminoles’ not-so-great history create an edge, no doubt.

The Hurricanes boast the No. 13 total defense in the country, the best in the ACC, and their pass rush is particularly lethal. They rank No. 8 in expected points added (EPA) against the run and No. 9 in pass rush success rate at about 29.3%. For Castellanos, who thrives on mobility and timing, Miami’s relentless pass rush could be a nightmare.

Meanwhile, the jabs against Thomas Castellanos have become a non-stop saga. And this time it’s ESPN analyst Rece Davis who is stirring the pot.

Rece Davis doesn’t fall behind in the jabbing contest against Thomas Castellanos

“Now, Alabama’s got good defensive pieces,” Davis puts forward his point. “But if you looked at the difficulty that Alabama had against Tommy Castellanos, getting him on the ground. Castellanos is good, and I don’t mean to throw shade at him at all; he’s not as good as Diego Pavia. And I don’t think he is as quite as elusive, as crafty. Pavia has improved this year as a pure passer.”

Davis highlighted that while Castellanos was tough to bring down for Alabama’s defense last season, Pavia has been more consistent. He accumulated 1,211 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and fewer than expected interceptions. Castellanos’ run ability, mixing his passing with electric mobility, has made him a dual-threat and a key driver for Florida State’s offense.

Pavia has made it clear he’s confident heading into the Alabama game. He believes that if Vanderbilt sticks to its game plan and executes well, the game won’t be close. Pavia highlighted his own growth this season, showcasing poise and accuracy that have earned him national attention and also the Heisman chatter.