When one team is up, the other is down. That’s the way it has been for a while. Today, Miami is back and FSU is down.
Four hundred eighty-nine miles. That’s the total distance between Florida State University and the University of Miami. But if you look at what these two college football programs are doing on the field, then they’re much farther apart than that.
Courtesy: MyAJC.com
The Canes (9-0) are off to their best start since 2002–the last time they reached a national title game. After dismantling third-ranked Norte Dame, 41-8, at home last weekend, Miami has re-established national prominence with a stingy defense and a trendy “Turnover Chain.”
Miami sits second in the coaches AP poll and, for most analysts and fans, has already exceeded pre-season expectations. They beat Florida State on the road, destroyed a top-ranked Power Five team (ND), and locked up a spot in the ACC title game.
FSU? Florida State (3-6) is fresh off a road loss to fourth-ranked Clemson, 31-14.
But let’s face it, the Canes know how that feels. They remember the days of that apathetic feeling, of being an underachiever. There were dark days of falling short in the 4th quarter, of mediocre seven-win seasons, and of rotating coaches.
For FSU, it’s just the opposite. Just a few years ago, in 2013, the Seminoles featured the #1 offense in the country, had 17 starters drafted in the NFL, and a Heisman-winning quarterback in Jameis Winston.
Florida State turned to its defense early in the season after the Seminoles lost starting quarterback Deondre François. But an unproductive offense has done-in the defense. The Seminoles are now the 37th best unit nationally, allowing 25 points per game.
So how exactly did Florida State and Miami switch places?
Florida State still recruits well–better than Miami has over the last four years–but it has a roster of talented and experienced underperformers. Mark Richt’s arrival has rejuvenated the program with gold “Turnover Chain” swagger.
Since Miami joined the ACC, the Hurricanes have been down when FSU was up. Now, Miami is up when FSU is down. When Jimbo Fisher took over as FSU head coach, the Seminoles’ program rose to the Top 10, while Miami’s search for a leader continued following Butch Davis’ departure. Today, Richt has Miami playing like the Miami teams that were fast-flying with a dominating defense combined with powerful runners and dangerous receivers capable of making explosive plays after the catch.
Where do we go from here?
Courtesy: Sporting News
According to 247Sports, Florida State sits 10th in 2018 recruiting while Miami continues to rise–now at 4th in the nation. Despite the down year, Florida State has not dropped drastically in the recruiting charts, but this team must be careful as it finishes up the remainder of the year. The Seminoles run the risk of missing out on a bowl game this season. We could start to see a ripple-effect on recruiting if FSU stays home during the holidays.
On the Miami side, as long as the Hurricanes keep winning, its popularity is assured. And, if history tells us anything, Florida State fans might have to start getting used to a down period for at least several more years. The Seminoles will lose several starters to the NFL Draft, including Derwin James and Alec Eberle.
Even though Fisher continues to remind fans of how the program is only a few inches away from winning critical games, he has to face reality: Miami has caught up with the Seminoles with Hurricane Irma-like speed.
