Colleges

Little on the line with both teams unranked

CORAL GABLES - Over the past three decades, Miami and Florida State have met almost every year as highly ranked teams with national championship aspirations.

This week, they'll meet as also-rans.

For the first time since 1977, both the Hurricanes and Seminoles will be unranked in the annual showdown Saturday in Tallahassee. FSU dropped out of the AP Top 25 Sunday, falling from last week's No. 21 perch after losing 24-21 at Wake Forest on Thursday. Miami hasn't been ranked since September 17, 2006.

It has been a disappointing season for both schools - they're near the basement of their respective six-team divisions of the ACC.

FSU (4-2, 1-2) is two games behind Boston College in the Atlantic Division standings, and some Seminoles acknowledge that hope of a league title is virtually gone.

"We've got to keep doing our jobs from now on, even though we can't get into the ACC" championship game, FSU wide receiver Preston Parker said.

Miami (4-3, 1-2) is two games behind Virginia and Virginia Tech in the Coastal Division, and has a tough schedule left.

"I still think we can win - this year," Miami coach Randy Shannon said. "I think we have some tough games ahead of us but I think we can win them if we keep playing hard. A break's going to come for us eventually if we keep playing the way we are."

The Hurricanes' first seven opponents have a combined 18-29 record: The remaining five are a combined 24-9. Miami has road tests at Boston College (7-0) and Virginia Tech (6-1).

"Every game's a big game, and Florida State's next on the list," offensive lineman Derrick Morse said. "It's a rivalry game."

FSU beat Miami 10-7 at home two years ago and won 13-10 in Miami last season. The Hurricanes won the previous six and lead 29-22 all time.

INJURY REPORT: Miami defensive tackle Dwayne Hendricks will be out for at least several weeks. He suffered a serious lower-leg injury in Saturday's loss to Georgia Tech. ... The Hurricanes also may be without receiver Lance Leggett, who has been slowed by a recurring foot problem. ... Linebacker Colin McCarthy , the former CCC standout who was sidelined by a concussion, has been cleared to play.

[Last modified October 14, 2007, 23:09:52]