Story by Danny Morales
The Florida State Seminoles vs. Miami Hurricanes is one of the biggest rivalries in college football and if this season in the Atlantic Coast Conference goes according to how the media voted, then those same two teams could meet in the ACC Championship in Charlotte, N.C. on Saturday, December 6.
Florida State was named the unanimous favorite to win the ACC’s Atlantic Division, as they had 120 more points in voting than Clemson, who came in second. FSU also received 109 out of 112 first-place votes.
Miami got the nod as the favorite to win the Atlantic, beating out defending division winner Duke by a fine margin. The Hurricanes haven’t won a ACC championship since joining the conference in 2004.
“The atmosphere is crazy,” said Miami linebacker Denzel Perryman about the heated rivalry. “And to get to play them twice, it’s even bigger.
If Miami and FSU do end up meeting in Charlotte for the conference championship game, it would mark the first time since the installment of a championship game in 2005, that two teams from the same state faced off in the ACC title game.
“That’s one of the great rivalries in college football and to get to do it twice, that’d be fun.” said FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher about the potential chance of meeting Miami in the ACC championship game.
Fisher isn’t the only one who thinks a second meeting between the two rivals would make for a good atmosphere, as players also think it would make for a good game.
“I think it’d be an electric atmosphere.” said ‘Noles quarterback Jameis Winston about a potential ACC championship game between the two rivals.
When FSU visit Miami in November, it’ll be the first time Winston has visited South Florida as the team’s signal caller. Winston can expect a healthy amount of teasing from the Miami fans following his most recent off the field issue involving some crab legs.
“I was actually clowning with his teammate P.J. Williams, I was like don’t be surprised if a fan dresses up as a crab,” said Perryman about what last years Heisman Trophy winner can expect from Canes fans. “I don’t think he’s ever played in Miami, so he’ll see what it’s like to play in Miami and see what that atmosphere is like.”
Despite winning the National Championship last season, FSU trails Miami in the all-time series
31-27. The ‘Noles have however won the last four matchups between the two teams.
“That’s one of the games you come to Florida State for,” said Fisher about the rivalry. “We understand the importance of playing against Miami and respect Miami, they have great tradition, great history, great coaching and great players right now. We understand that and we embrace that rivalry and we really respect it.”
The rivalry will have it’s 59th instalment on Saturday, November 15, when FSU will travel to South Florida to face Miami and no matter the outcome the two teams could meet again less than a month later in Charlotte.
“It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen,” said Miami head coach Golden about the rivalry between the two Florida schools.