Do U even care?

Let’s pose a question.

If the Canes travel to Tallahassee to take on the Noles with both teams unranked and some D-level announcers covering the regionally televised event, did the game really happen?

Seriously, what alternate universe are we living in where Miami at Florida State has become as meaningless as any other middle-of-the-pack ACC match up? More importantly, when the hell is this game going to mean something again?

Classic Sports Network did nothing but tease Canes fans this past week running the 1991, 1992 and 2002 throw downs. Top ranked teams. Thrilling finishes. The nation’s then-best talent. Packed stadiums. It was the way it should be. The way we’ve all grown accustomed to these past few decades.

In all seriousness, we’d see a better match up between the second string Noles and Canes from those great teams than we would this 2007 version of this rivalry.

I’ve received a bunch of emails this week asking me what to expect. I’ve also seen a fair share of outlandish predictions and ‘gut feelings’ regarding tomorrow’s game. My answer? Who the hell really knows.

Miami and Florida State are almost two in the same right now. A few bright spots here and there, but more questions than answers. More heartache than celebration. Once-great programs merely playing average football and losing to lesser teams they used to beat like a drum.

Georgia Tech taking three straight against Miami? Wake Forest punking Florida State back-to-back seasons? I’d say it’s almost impossible to fathom, but it’s been the reality a handful of years now.

I’m curious what Randy Shannon said to his kids this week. At 4-3, Miami is past the rah-rah speeches and motivational tactics. Names have been removed from jerseys. Playing time has been taken away. Depth charts have constantly been reshuffled. These coaches have yelled at these kids ad nauseam since spring and you really have wonder what remains in the bag.

Manny Navarro had a rather telling blog this week at Herald.com, questioning who on this team is a “real Hurricane” and hinting at those who aren’t being weeded out by next season.

Sitting rather unpretty at 4-3, those comments make a ton of sense – but let’s not forget that seven games ago this new staff and it’s players were talking about a national title being the goal and using the phrase “New Orleans” as a preseason motivational tactic.

My question – how could everyone be so far off?

I was beyond disappointed when “National Championship” was muttered late summer. Based on what? A 7-6 season, a new coach with some Miami bloodlines and a new attitude? Ridiculous. Winning the ACC was a noble goal, but all this woofing about bringing it all home was just plain stupid when starting the season unranked and with so many holes and/or question marks surrounding this team.

Those expectations were way too lofty for a program that has crumbled in the face of adversity the past few seasons. The “National Championship or bust” days are long gone at Miami and in college football as a whole. There’s too much parity in the game and no team – not even the Canes – can be so absolute in their thinking.

Miami got tagged early at Oklahoma, limped through a sloppy win against crosstown rival FIU, played their game of the year against Texas A&M and have been a mess ever since. A lethargic win over Duke, a loss to North Carolina and a week later, falling to Georgia Tech for the third year in a row.

As we’ve seen so often these past four seasons, these Canes can’t respond from a loss. This isn’t a ‘bounce back’ type of team like the Miami of old. Credit much of that to the Larry Coker. This program is trying to fight its way back from Cokerization. The Canes now unravel when backed into a corner, instead of coming out swinging.

In 2003 it was back-to-back losses against Virginia Tech and Tennessee. In 2004, North Carolina and Clemson took out Miami in a matter of eight days. In 2005, knocked off by Georgia Tech, followed by a drab win over Virginia when the ACC crown was out of reach and then throttled by LSU in the Peach Bowl.

All of which built to a six-loss campaign in 2006 and a four-game losing streak late in the season.

Don’t look now, Canes faithful but that feat could be topped this year with Florida State, NC State, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Boston College on the docket. Things could get much worse before they get better. Think of how dejected we all are as fans. I can’t imagine this team’s psyche is much better.

Theoretically you’d have liked to believe Miami ‘could’ run the table after the aTm beat down but after recent back-to-back losses, some have hinted at the fact the Canes could lose most of their remaining games and not reach the bowl eligible six-win plateau needed to see the post season.

Momentum. It can turn on a dime, acting as your best friend or worst enemy.

Miami lost it’s mojo and all the fire in the belly rants from Shannon and staff aren’t going to remedy that. It’s time these current Canes look within and start figuring things out. No one has the answers for them. These kids have played this game the better part of their lives. It’s not about Xs and Os right now. It’s about having a pulse and showing some heart. Can the sound bites and cliche terms spewed into reporters’ digital recorders. Talk less. Play more.

A win at Tallahassee isn’t really going to make or break this season, sadly. Even if Miami musters up enough to pull off the “upset” tomorrow, which team will show up for NC State after the bye week? That’s how out of whack things have gotten at The U. The only guarantee is that there are no guarantees.

Keys to the game? Smart football. End of story. Enough of the stupid penalties and turnovers. Wrap up and tackle. Step up and make plays when the money is on the table. It’s nothing these kids haven’t heard daily at Camp Shannon. This team can talk for days about needing to execute, yet they rarely do just that. Put your money where your mouth is, fellas.

We’re looking at the third and fourth best teams in the state, but this is still Canes v. Noles. This rivalry will be back. Recruits will be watching. Bragging rights are on the line and Florida State has won two straight after Miami owned the six previous match ups.

Kyle Wright, you are on track to go a Chris Rix-esque 0-fer against your biggest rival. Not exactly the way you want to be remembered in the record books, is it? Unlike Rix, you have one last chance to write your history. Wright can’t win this game on his own, but as we’ve seen in the past he can damn near lose it all by himself with a few poor decisions.

Tomorrow is not the day to force anything. Play smart, yet loose. The Noles have beaten up #3 physically and mentally. This is one last chance to exact some revenge. Receivers need to step up and help their quarterback. Running backs need to dig for those extra couple of yards. Offensive lineman need to hold their blocks that extra second; the difference between another sack or completed pass.

Offense is half the battle. Defensively these Canes are in shambles and it’s time to at least attempt to get back to form and play like Miami. Defense literally saved this program 2003-2005 and has since become a big time liability. If Florida State can’t get Miami’s juices flowing defensively, consider this season mailed in and start thinking 2008. A corpse should be able to find motivation and wrap up in a throw down of this nature.

The nation may not care this year, but every kid on that field better play like it’s 2000. A win is a win and a loss will haunt you until next fall.

I’m done talking. Tomorrow is ‘find a way’ Saturday for this team. Come 3:30pm ET it’s not about records, rankings or history. It’s about Miami and Florida State and the future of these once-great programs.

The journey back to the top has to start somewhere and it’ll be accomplished one step at a time. Put one foot in front of the other and use the other to kick Florida State square in the ass.

We need this one, Canes. Bring home the ‘W’.

.:Canes305:.

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