Life goes on
I have to switch gears today -- I serve in public safety and simply do not wish to dwell on the Gulf Coast tragedy for a while -- those of us in my profession are extremely frustrated and our hearts are heavy. So today I will touch upon a lighter topic.
College football is back! My Miami Hurricanes open their season against hated rival Florida State. Does this game even need a preview? Labor Day Night. Monday Night Football. The only game being played in the country. College football's two-winningest programs in the last 20 years continuing one of the nation's fiercest rivalries: Miami vs. Florida State.
My beloved Miami Hurricanes team opens its 80th season of college football with its 50th game against intrastate and Atlantic Coast Conference rival Florida State Seminoles on Labor Day night. Miami and Florida State are meeting for the fourth time in less than 23 months, with the Hurricanes sporting a six-game winning streak in the series, dating back to a 27-24 win at the Orange Bowl in 2000. In the last meeting between the two teams, Miami came from behind to defeat FSU 16-10 in overtime on September 10, 2004 in a game delayed four days because of Hurricane Frances.
Opening day has been good to the Hurricanes. Miami has won nine straight games on opening day, the longest streak in school history. Miami is 54-24-1 in season-opening games and has not lost on opening day since a 31-8 loss at UCLA in 1995. The last time Miami lost a season opener at home was 1985, a 35-23 loss to Florida. The last loss in a home opener was Sept. 13, 1997, a 23-12 loss to Arizona State.
I know Miami must travel to Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee and play the Seminoles on their home turf, but remember this: If the Miami and Florida State final score is close, history has favored the Hurricanes, 10-0 against FSU in games decided by four points or fewer -- and that's both at home and away.
I know, wishful thinking. But isn't that the beauty of sport? You start anew each year, and anything can happen.