FSU Football: Miami players talking big heading into rivalry game

FSU football has always dealt with smack talk coming from that program in Coral Gables, and it’s not stopping heading into this season.

For those who don’t remember a long ways back, let us take a tour back to the season of 2004 – the last time that FSU football lost in South Florida to the Miami Hurricanes (the team they will face Saturday in Miami Gardens). Many of the players won’t remember what took place considering that this year’s senior class at the schools was only in 2nd grade at the time.

In reality, while the Seminoles have bounced back for most of this decade to be a relevant college football program, the Hurricanes have been hitting speed bumps since that season. Twice Miami has had losing years since 2004 while winning exactly two bowl games in that span and just one divisional title since joining the ACC that season.

Yet, after starting off 10-0 last season before losing their final three games (including the ACC title game and the Orange Bowl in their rented stadium) and being 4-1 this season, you would think the FSU football rival was back in the days of Jimmy Johnson and Dennis Erickson with how confident they are talking entering this weekend’s game.

On paper, the Hurricanes are supposed to manhandle the Seminoles as Miami is a nearly two touchdown favorite over FSU football – the biggest spread for the ‘Canes in the series since 2002, when this season’s freshman were still being potty trained – but remember that last season, Miami needed a last second touchdown over a bad FSU team to get their first series win this decade.

This week, Miami players were asked about FSU football, with N’Kosi Perry complimenting and taking a shot at the same time (h/t Miami Herald).

"“I expect them to play harder than they play against anybody else,. They have great players on their team. No matter what their record is, I know they’re going to play hard.’’"

I know that Perry has started just one game for the Hurricanes and was suspended for the opener, but someone might want to remind him that Miami has a loss on their record and exactly one more win than the Noles – this isn’t UNC, FIU or any other cupcake you’ve played this season.

Defensive end Joe Jackson also was complimentary about knowing it will be a tough game, but threw in a subtle jab (also h/t Miami Herald)

"“These games always turn into a dogfight, whether you blow them out in the end or not. These rivalry games always happen to be a dogfight. So we’ve got to come prepared and make sure we don’t have any self-inflicted wounds.”"

This game might go in Miami’s favor, but if so it will not be close to a blowout as the Hurricanes haven’t won a game by more than one possession in this series since the 2001 season (FSU football, over that same span, has won two games along by 27 points or more over Miami.)

I’m not surprised that the Hurricanes are walking around with the swagger of confidence after blowing out monster powers like Savannah State, Toledo and FIU – but someone might want to get these youngsters a history book so they know what to be in for come Saturday afternoon.