Make it permanent

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© St. Petersburg Times
published September 7, 2002

Get the governor on the line.

Break out the national guard.

Alert Beano Cook.

Do something. Do anything. But whatever you do, for goodness' sake, preserve this game.

It has been a delicious week leading up to the Florida-Miami (or, if you prefer, the Miami-Florida) game. The Heisman voters are on full alert. Scalpers are expanding their rosters. There is even a report the BCS dweebs may stay home from the Star Trek convention to watch.

On one hand, we have Florida's perpetual smirk. On the other, we have Miami's endless smack. Two great teams, two great quarterbacks, two coaches who came up the hard way. We have one group of fans questioning the opponent's courage. We have another group questioning the opponent's character.

Why on earth would you want to let this get away?

No matter who wins or who loses, this week should convince everyone involved how important it should be to keep this game on the schedule. Don't talk to me of cash. Don't talk to me of conflicts.

Just put Jeremy Foley and Paul Dee (or, if you prefer, Paul Dee and Jeremy Foley) into a room, and don't let them out until this game is an annual event. For that matter, don't even send in sandwiches.

This is important. Games this rare shouldn't be this rare. The college football season is two weeks old, and already, you can feel an uncommon tension in the air. This game could impact the national championship. And the Heisman race. And about 4-billion callers with funky nicknames on sports radio.

Why would anyone let it get away?

Money? Yes, it is true, and sad, both teams can make more money by playing other opponents. Bring in another hyphenated opponent, throw them a few hundred thousand dollars, and presto, you've got another home game. Not only that, but you've got an easy win, which is a step toward prestige, a better record and a bigger bowl.

Some things should be more important than money, however. If anything should demonstrate that, it should be college athletics.

Put it this way: Should Florida drop FSU so it could schedule still another pushover and get a seventh home game? Should it buy out a conference opponent, the way it used to, and get an eighth? Or maybe drop out of the SEC so it could play all 11 at home and get really, really rich?

Of course not. That would be silly.

On the other hand, so is this.

Have you paid attention to what the two schools have been doing since Florida ended the series with Miami? Oh, not much. For the players of those two schools, Week Two has been a time to pad your stats and to name your score.

Over the last six seasons, here are Florida's Week Two opponents: Georgia Southern. Central Michigan. Northeast Louisiana. Central Florida. Middle Tennessee. Louisiana-Monroe. If the Gators didn't score 50, laps were going to be run.

Over the last six seasons, here are Miami's Week Two opponents: The Citadel. Arizona State. Cincinnati. Florida A&M. Washington. Rutgers. Slightly better, when you consider both Arizona State and Washington were ranked. On the other hand, Miami lost both.

What, then, are you giving up to keep this rivalry? Look, I have no problem with a team running up the score. I have a problem with a team scheduling up the score. If Florida can score 80 on Miami, or vice versa, then do it. But when you're beating schools that are bona fide ice cream parlors with textbooks, then shame on you for lining up to start with.

Ask yourself. Are Florida fans really going around bemoaning the loss of the Louisiana-Monroe game? Is anyone mumbling: "What about the tradition? What about the fight song? What about the doctrine?"

Granted, there are college football fans who would rather win 80-0 over Nobody Tech than face a 24-24 score with four minutes to go. But most of us would prefer a game we can get excited about. Memorable games are better than forgettable opponents.

So work it out. Soon. If you have to drop this designated patsy, do it. College football isn't designed for a preseason.

If need be, play the Georgia game home and home instead of at a neutral sight. Nothing against Jacksonville, but that would allow Florida to play another home and home series and keep its sixth game. I'd rather see Florida play in Athens than not play Miami at all.

For too many years, Florida and Miami have been like Russia and China, superpowers that shared a close geography but spent most of their time ignoring each other. To a great degree, it has lessened college football.

Consider the interest this week has held. You can't wait to see what Taylor Jacobs will do. You can't wait to hear what Brett Romberg will say. You can't wait to find out if the Swamp helps the Gators more than being the national champion helps the 'Canes.

There is Rex Grossman vs. Ken Dorsey (or, if you prefer, Dorsey vs. Grossman). Grossman was second in the Heisman voting last year. Dorsey was third. Either might have won it if not for the other splitting the Southern vote. It isn't hard to imagine a scenario where the quarterback who makes the most big plays wins.

There are so many elements, so much to debate and dissect. That's what college football is supposed to be about, remember? Selling this rivalry out for another shot at The Citadel is a shame.

By the way, after next season, this series goes back in the cryogenic chamber with Ted Williams. However, Florida will play Eastern Michigan. Miami will play Louisiana Tech.

That's sad and disturbing.

Or, if you prefer, disturbing and sad.

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