Canes vs Noles: The Rivalry

Series History

Miami. Florida State. To me, this is the greatest rivalry in college football. Yes, you have Michigan vs. Ohio State, Alabama vs. Auburn, and Army vs. Navy; all of these are notable rivalries. I will never complain about any of them. Still, as a Canes fan, this is the rivalry, with both teams competing for National Championship implications, facing players you've competed against in pee-wee all the way up to high school. This rivalry was so hostile back in the '80s, even Sebastian the Ibis (Miami's Mascot) got arrested, which really pushed the criminal element of the Canes back in their glory days. Miami and Florida State have met 69 times, with Miami winning 36 and Florida State winning 33. Florida State will always have my utmost respect, and Bobby Bowden will always rank him in my College football coaching lists cause he wasn't scared to play Miami with this quote right here: "I used to get mad because nobody else would play Miami. Notre Dame would play them, then drop them. Florida dropped them. Penn State dropped them. We would play Miami and lose by one point on a missed field goal, and it would knock us out of the national championship. I didn't want to play them either, but I had to play them. That's why I said, 'When I die, they'll say, 'At least he played Miami.'" And safe to say we all say that about Coach Bowden. Rest in peace, Coach. This rivalry has seen many memorable moments, from Wide Right 1, 2, 3, and 4 to The Block at The Rock, as well as numerous top-5 and top-10 matchups throughout their heated rivalry. Chris Rix became the first quarterback to lose five straight times to a team that happened to be the Hurricanes. From the 2000s to the present, the Seminoles have remained a dominant force in the rivalry. The rivalry takes on intense value when both teams are dominating. We could have seen another top-five or top-10 matchup this year, but Florida State lost to Virginia in double overtime. The game is going to be primetime once again as the number 3-ranked Hurricanes travel up to Doak Campbell Stadium to face off against the number 18-ranked Seminoles, marking the 70th time these two heated rivals will play.

Keys to the Game

Miami needs to continue what they are doing offensively and pound the running game, cause I can see Mark Fletcher, Marty Brown, and possibly a healthy Jordan Lyle just running wild on Florida State's defense. Carson Beck needs to play a clean game and avoid turnovers, which can give Florida State momentum, and will create a raucous crowd in Tallahassee will energize the Seminoles. The defensive line needs to get after Tommy Castellanos and make his night absolutely miserable. The defensive backs are going to be in for a big task, trying to cover Duce Robinson and the highly explosive Seminoles' offense. However, if they can keep them at bay and get the d-line off on Tommy, then you're setting yourself up for success tomorrow night.

Florida State needs to be fast and give Tommy time to make plays. If you can get big chunk plays, that's what Miami's defensive backs gave up a few times over the year. Then, it will be key for them. They also have to be patient and play their game, cause they will have big plays throughout the game. Defensively, don't play soft and play big-boy football and be the maulers. Don't let the Miami offensive line maul you.

Predicition

If I were a player or fan of Miami or Florida State, I'd feel very confident about winning this game, because both teams have been playing fantastically so far this year. Yes, Florida State lost to Virginia, but they are gonna be ready and locked in for the game. The game is not going to be a blowout, by which every Miami fan is clamoring; could I be wrong? Absolutely, but it's a rivalry game, and Florida State is coming off a tough loss, and they are looking to show out for all the fans in Doak. But, if Miami's running game can get like 5, 6, 7, 8 yards a carry, then it could mostly be a long night for the Noles, and the defensive line can get home to Castellanos or force him into bad passes, then that's the ball game, and Miami will win this game. Suppose Florida State can convert the big plays and find a way to show that this is the same old Miami. In that case, they have every right to feel that they can run the table and find a way to get back in contention for an ACC Title and a possible birth in the College Football Playoffs. Overall, this is going to be a fun game with old-school vibes, where basically everything is on the line. Hopefully, the good guys will win this game, secure our first ACC Title, and earn a first-round bye in the College Football Playoffs. Go Canes.