Randy's No Name Soldiers. We had a hard time sending the body bags back to their families after the 5-7 season...
Looks like we can be in for another round of Labor Day contests, starting next season. All that needs to occur is for FSU to find a 12th opponent after they dump their current cupcake against Maine that weekend. (Miami currently has Florida A&M…state champs what! Ha!)
Miami and Florida State played on Labor Day from 2004 to 2006, with each game being a close contest, however, most of the games themselves were snoozers. Low scoring, horrible offensive play, penalties, etc. Which is why teams always play the aforementioned cupcakes to start the year.
The ACC obviously wants their two marquee football teams in the national spotlight on the season’s opening weekend. And losing this game definitely puts a hamper on one’s mythical title chances, but in no way ends them. In 2005 Miami lost to FSU on the road, 10-7, looked horrible doing so, and still climbed all the way to #3 in the polls late in the year before shitting a brick, per the Comandante Coker’s usual orders.
Overall, I am against playing your biggest rival on the year’s first weekend, national exposure be damned. The teams aren’t ready, the game is always sloppy, no one is really rewarded except whomever sneaks out with a win. If they want to annually play on Labor Day, I’m fine with it, I just don’t like the idea. I’m all about the ’80s old-school Canes, play anyone anytime mantra, but this steals the thunder of both teams weak ACC schedule.
However, this year, Miami should not be considering this game. They have Oklahoma at home the next week, and even if PC North Bradford decides to peace out, OU will still be favored and most think should win. Miami does not want to drop one to FSU and then OU to start the season 0-2 with a conference loss added in. Stick to those crazy Rattlers from A&M, get the win, and prepare the team to get that first signature win of Randy’s tenure.
In today’s college football world, with stupid pollsters, who put little to no emphasis on strength of schedule, where all that matters is your record, keep FSU in the middle of the year, take those easy wins, and make Stoops cry come the second week of the year. Once the program starts humming along like Urban has Florida right now, when the depth is all over the roster, then I want the marque early games. The ACC schedule will never be enough to overcome one loss during the year; Miami will need the help in the minds of the inept voters. And with some home and homes coming up with Ohio State, Cincinnati, South Florida, and Pittsburgh, the Canes will be able to make some out of conference statements soon enough.
