By BRIAN LANDMAN and MICHAEL SNYDER
Published December 31, 2003
MIAMI BEACH - It may not be the BCS national championship Sugar Bowl, but Thursday's Florida State-Miami rematch in the Orange Bowl may have more on the line. Or down the line.
With the recruiting season swinging into high gear, and many top prep players having UM and FSU on their lists, the game's result could be felt for years.
"There are a lot of players where it comes down to us and Florida State," UM coach Larry Coker said. "We want to stay home and be successful. That will really help us in recruiting."
Though UM has won four in a row against the Seminoles, one high-profile loss could swing some 17- and 18-year-old minds. "If we lose to Miami I have to go all up and down the state this year with people reminding me that's five in a row," FSU coach Bobby Bowden said.
Not everyone places a lot of importance on the rivalry.
"I know when I was recruited, it didn't matter (to me) whether Miami or Florida State won," 'Canes cornerback Antrel Rolle said. "It mattered which school I had a passion for."
WALKER'S WOES: Compared with this time last season, things couldn't be more different for Seminoles junior quarterback Fabian Walker.
Thanks to the dismissal of Adrian McPherson and academic ineligibility of Chris Rix, Walker was poised to make his first start in last season's Sugar Bowl against Georgia. His right (throwing) shoulder was ailing and it showed in the 26-13 loss.
These days, Walker is healthy, but the mercurial Rix is entrenched as the starter. Both for the Orange Bowl and, seemingly, for next season - the fifth for both him and Walker, which might mean little playing time for Walker. Others in Walker's position have transferred.
"I can't say I haven't thought about it. I think about it," Walker said. "But then again, I want to be here. ... I'll sit down and talk with (Bowden) and hear what he has to say about the situation and go from there."
Walker has completed 30-of-50 for 342 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions in six games this season.
PROPS TO PEATTIE: Coker said one of the pleasant surprises of the season has been second-year freshman kicker Jon Peattie, a former Countryside standout. Peattie has made 19 of 24 field goals and is 36-of-36 on PATs. Peattie kicked a Miami record five field goals against West Virginia on Oct.2, before going 3-of-4 against FSU.
PLAYER CONCERNS: Leroy Smith, who shares the FSU lead with three interceptions, sprained an ankle Monday and fellow junior cornerback Bryant McFadden remains hampered by a groin injury. Bowden said both intend to play. For Miami, defensive tackle Vince Wilfork has been slowed by the flu, but said he will be fine for the game.
