Sports Update Monday: UM/FSU Rivalry Isn’t What It Used To Be
This weekend marks the 57th meeting between the Miami Hurricanes and the Florida State Seminoles. What used to be a storied rivalry through the 80’s, 90’s and early 2000’s, has lost most of its luster nowadays due to two over hyped and under performing teams. Although, through recent years the games have been close and entertaining, the teams’ overall seasons have not. The Miami Hurricanes are not a national power anymore and while the Seminoles are always contending for a national championship early in the season, they always manage to blow it year after year.
This year’s Miami Hurricanes could be in for quite a beating if the Seminoles can play up to their potential. The 12th ranked Seminoles (6-1) have a high powered offense and a very stingy defense. Up until last week, the Seminoles had all sights set on the national championship (weird, right?) and were ranked 3rd in the country, but unfortunately they suffered a loss to ACC nemesis, the NC State Wolfpack.
On the other side of the state, we have the 2012 Miami Hurricanes. The Hurricanes (4-3) are coming off two losses in a row (Notre Dame and North Carolina), and currently have the 117th best defense in the country (out of 120). Another factor for the game, Miami’s starting QB Stephen Morris was injured in his last game, and his status for the FSU game is still unknown. A bright spot for Miami this year is they are a very young, fast and exciting team with big play capabilities, but their inexperience also is the reason for Miami’s lack of success.
This game will be played under the lights on primetime television (8pm on ABC). Florida State has won the last two meetings and will be heavily favored to win on the road this weekend. Since this is Miami’s biggest challenge of the year due to the caliber of their opponent and the rivalry game aspect, it will be interesting to see if they can bounce back in front of a national audience at home.
In Other Sports News
– The Miami Dolphins have won their second game in a row, and are currently tied for first place in the AFC East (Jets, Dolphins and Pats are all 3-3). Dolphins rookie QB Ryan Tannehill looked impressive against the Rams defense in their 17-14 win. If it wasn’t for a few unfortunate plays this year, the Fins could very well be 5-1.
– The Florida Gators are currently number 2 in the BCS standings, with Alabama still at number 1. Next week, however, former Gators great Steve Spurrier and his number 7 South Carolina Gamecocks come into Gainesville and look to give the Gators a huge test in retaining that number 2 BCS spot.
– The Miami Heat went 1-1 in a two game series against the LA Clippers in China last week. The Heat open up their season against the Boston Celtics on October 30th.
– In the MLB playoffs, the San Francisco Giants beat the Cincinnati Reds in 5 games last week and are currently in the NLCS against the St. Louis Cardinals, who defeated the Washington Nationals 9-7 after being down 6-0 early. The Cardinals are up 1-0 in the NLCS series against the Giants. In the AL, the New York Yankees defeated the Baltimore Orioles in a game 5 on Friday night. The Yankees are down 2-0 in the ALCS to the Detroit Tigers, who just defeated the Oakland A’s in 5 games in the ALDS. If the Yankees plan on coming back in the series, they have to do so without Yankee captain and AL hit leader Derek Jeter, who suffered a broken ankle in Saturday’s Game 1 loss.
Local Sports Hero
This week’s Local Sports Hero, or should I say heroes, are Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas. Both of them had fantastic NFL careers for the Miami Dolphins and during halftime of yesterday’s game they both were inducted into the Miami Dolphins Honor Roll. BB Insurance Marketing would like to congratulate Zach and Jason for being this week’s Local Sports Heroes.