Colleges

UM, FSU in odd spot for rivalry

Both are unranked as Miami's struggles in the ACC continue.

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By WALTER VILLA, Times Correspondent
Published October 17, 2007

Coach Randy Shannon, quarterbacks Kyle Wright, Kirby Freeman and the rest of the Hurricanes looked ready in pregame, but lost Oct. 6 at North Carolina.
	[Getty Images]

ADVERTISEMENT [Getty Images] A dejected Hurricanes fan watches the UNC loss. Miami is 1-2 in the ACC and likely out of title contention.

CORAL GABLES - This is not what the Atlantic Coast Conference was expecting.

When Miami left the Big East for the ACC in 2004, the Hurricanes were still a national football power. They were coming off the 2003 Big East championship, an 11-2 record and a victory over Florida State in the Orange Bowl in January 2004.

Many expected the Hurricanes to dominate the ACC just as they had tormented their Big East rivals. Many expected that the 'Canes would play the Seminoles nearly every year in the ACC title game. And many expected the Big East to become irrelevant without UM and two other programs that bolted for the ACC, Boston College and Virginia Tech.

None of that happened.

Instead, when the Hurricanes (4-3) travel to Florida State (4-2) for their annual game on Saturday (3:30 p.m. on Ch.28), it will be the first time in 30 years that both teams are unranked.

That does not bother Hurricanes coach Randy Shannon, however.

"Even though the records are not like the past," Shannon said Tuesday, "it's still a big rivalry. It's usually decided by a field goal late in the game, overtime or a goal-line stand."

A look at the series history bears out Shannon's comment - the past six games have been decided by just one score. The schools have played uninterrupted since 1969, with the 'Canes holding the series lead 29-22.

Between 1983 and 2002, the 'Canes and 'Noles combined to play in 14 bowl games that decided the national championship games, winning seven.

"Games like this are why I came to Miami," center John Rochford said.

'Canes outside linebacker Colin McCarthy, who missed last week's game with a concussion but is ready to play against FSU, said the Seminoles game represents "a lot of great history."

Unfortunately for 'Canes fans, Miami's glory is not in the present - or even recent history. The Hurricanes have yet to play for the ACC title, let alone win one. Meanwhile, the Big East has been surprisingly good without the 'Canes, Eagles and Hokies.

The Big East brought in five schools from Conference USA, three in football, and one - South Florida - is No.2 in the nation.

Shannon called the Bulls' success "great for the state of Florida."

Asked if he felt the UM-FSU game had lost its luster - both teams are 1-2 in ACC play and in next-to-last place in their divisions - Shannon was quick to reply.

"It's on national television," Shannon said, "so I don't think it has lost its luster."

Shannon acknowledged that the series has gone in streaks, with the 'Noles winning the past two years. Before that, Miami won six in a row. And before that, FSU won five straight.

"Hopefully," Shannon said, "we can stop their streak and start one of our own."

The biggest problem for Miami is stopping the run, and injuries are a huge concern. The 'Canes lack depth at defensive tackle and linebacker.

Shannon said four defensive starters are likely out for the season: tackles Antonio Dixon and Dwayne Hendricks and linebackers Glenn Cook and Romeo Davis.

"But that's no excuse," Shannon said. "Everybody has injuries. Our standards are high, just like Florida State's standards are high. It will be intriguing because we both need a win."

[Last modified October 17, 2007, 00:07:11]