Florida vs Miami Rivalry

Florida State vs. Miami

WIDE RIGHT! WIDE RIGHT! WIDE RIGHT!

I would like to shake the hand of the kicker brave enough to go to Florida State.  No school has suffered in more memorable ways than that university when it comes to the perils of kicking.  Conveniently, those games have been a part of one of the most intense rivalries in college football- Florida State vs. Miami.

1991: Miami goes into the game ranked #2; Florida State #1.  After overcoming a 16-7 fourth quarter deficit, Miami seemed destined to lose as Gerry Thomas’s thirty four yard field goal sailed wide right.

1992: #2 Miami was holding onto a slim 19-16 lead over #3 Florida State.  Dan Mowry lined up for a thirty nine yard field goal; the last play of the game.  As time expired the ball went- you guessed it – wide right.

2000: After relinquishing the lead late in the game, Florida State lined up to attempt a forty nine yard field goal in order to protect their #1 ranking from #7 Miami.  As time expired a strange sense of déjà vu had to be in the air as the kick went- wide right.

2002: I’m sure when Florida State was lining up for the field goal to squeak out a win against current #1  Miami.  For a moment it seemed as if history was going to repeat itself yet again, but this time it went wide- left.

The Florida State vs. Miami rivalry began back in 1951 and over the years has played a deciding factor in the race for the national title.  Fourteen times the two schools played in the national title game just between ’83 and ’02; seven times the schools were victorious.  The ’87 game is considered by many to be one of the best games of the century, a Miami victory, 26-25.  Miami hold the series lead, which has been played without interruption since 1966, 30-22.

What made the game so special in the ‘80s and ‘90s was not just the almost yearly national title implications, but the amazing quality of play that the two schools brought to the field.  Numerous award winners have come from both schools.  ESPN’s top two rated games happen to be the ’06 contest (6.9) and the ’94 one (7.7).  More telling would be the number of future NFL players that took the field in the ’88 match up- 57!

While neither school has been in the title hunt in recent years, there have been some that have wondered if the rivalry is beginning to fade.  Go to practice for either school the week they play and it is easy to see how foolish that thought is.  Miami vs. Florida State fade? Never!

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