Normally during a typical Miami / Florida State week I’m too geeked out to sleep. Normally I don’t need coffee to hit the ground running. Normally I fall asleep thinking of Santana Moss letting the world know that, “big time players step up in big games”. This week, not so much.
Now let me preface all this by saying that when my traveling crew and I pull up to the allCanes “Rally In Tally” at AJ’s on Friday night, I’ll resort back to being good ol’ day-before-the-big-game Beast. That may mean that deciding to take a nap in the middle of Tennessee Street is a good idea (not that I actually did that back in ’97). That may also mean being thrown out of not one, but two fast food restaurants (not that I actually did that in ’97, either).
There have been several other incidents in Tallahassee. Back in 2007, my former co-worker “Captain” Curtis Stevenson and I tried to convince “The Voice” Joe Zagacki to sing karaoke. That didn’t necessarily work out.
Then there were all those Friday and Saturday nights where we shut down the bar at the Ramada Inn, where the team and diehards used to stay.
One thing for certain, after attending all but two Miami / Florida State showdowns over the past eighteen years, whether it’s home or away, things always get crazy and I always wind up getting swept away in the festivities.
Still, as of now, this week feels different.
It’s easy to say that because neither team is ranked and have a combined record of 9-7, that the matchup has lost some luster. Maybe, just maybe, if an ACC Championship or national championship berth were on the line, I’d be spinning out of control like a Tazmanian Devil.
Maybe it’s the timing of the game. We’re not used to playing Florida State this late in the year. It’s usually in October, with some early Labor Day showdowns thrown in there.
Or maybe I’m just work out from the first nine games of this season and after four losses and some nailbiters, my brain simply won’t allow me to start getting jacked up for this one on a Tuesday, four days from kickoff.
Then again, maybe it’s the process. You know, “the process”. The thing that Al Golden talks about every waking moment of every day. The process dictates that every game is treated equally and the process doesn’t allow for excess hype or build-up.
Maybe I’m buying into the process. Maybe I’ve been sucked in. Maybe that’s the case and I’m going to have to bring my training to the game. I’ll walk into Doak Campbell with a legitimate next-man-in mentality.
You get the point.
I’m hoping that once we get to Friday night, my emotions will get going. I’m certain that as I’m walking into the stadium Saturday afternoon, seeing all of those Seminoles dressed in garnet and gold, I’ll feel like my old self again. But, for now, it just doesn’t feel like it’s Florida State week. Please, tell me I’m wrong.
IN OTHER NEWS : As we collected in the Edgerrin James Room to prepare to talk to a handful of players on Tuesday, the talk among the media was obviously this horrific slew of incidents up in State College.
I have a ton of thoughts on that, but I want to bring the story home. After we got done talking to the players, the New York Times story broke about tenure of Joe Paterno most likely coming to an end in Happy Valley. About five minutes later Coach Golden walked into the room.
This was Miami / FSU week. It’s theoretically the biggest football week of our year. As Al walked to the podium, not one of us was thinking about Canes / Noles. Yes we did our job and asked game-related questions, but as I looked around the room, I could tell most everyone was reading their smart phones and thinking what I was thinking: Were we looking at the next head coach at Penn State?
If I had to bet right now, I’d throw down on Al staying at Miami. However, until the next head coach of Penn State is named, Al Golden’s name is going to be on the proverbial short list. Al loves challenges. He tells us all the time that his love of challenges led him to Temple. His love of challenges is what makes him the right guy to lead Miami out of the smoke of NevinGate.
But what if his love of challenges leads him to State College? Would there be any challenge closer to Coach Golden’s heart than restoring the prestige of his alma mater?
Would there be any greater challenge than to be the man that shows the world that not all of Joe Pa’s coaching offspring choose the wrong path?
Again, in the end, I think Al stays at Miami, for now. However, this is even a bigger reason to restructure his deal now. Because if ‘The U’ doesn’t make Al Golden financially more secure now, Penn State may back up the Brinks truck out of desperation not too far down the road.
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His love of challenges is wonderful. However, his consistent statement that this is his "destination job" is the real thing to be hopeful about. Obviously we've all seen it a thousand times, just say what sounds good and will keep me in the hearts of everyone; but honestly, if he's for real, what destination would you take, Happy Valley or Miami? NO BRAINER.
Beast - I'm not feeling "it" either. Part of it is the luster, as you note. Part of it is because I can't get hyped up about a likely blowout of Miami. I'm sorry, I hate to say it, but UM's defense is so overmatched against FSU that unless Miami gets some lucky breaks and scores on every possession, this could get ugly.
Finally, the sad, disgusting situation at Penn State has everyone's mind elsewhere. This is a perfect opportunity for UM to renew its commitment to Coach Golden, and I hope they take full advantage of it. Golden will have his work cut out him with looming sanctions, but he's already reeling in recruits while trying to rebuild the storied Miami program. God Bless him!
Go Canes!
I'm jacked up for the game! I wait for this game every other year. My parents graduated from FSU and I was born at Doctors Hospital with orange and green blood flowing through my veins. Somehow I found myself living in Panama City, FL. I get to see the Canes on TV most of the time but only can attend games that are close geographically. My J12 jersey (purchased from ALLCANES) and my tie have been laid out since Sunday morning and I can't sleep at night. I am also getting to attend the USF game next week at Raymond James Stadium. My daughter is a Junior at USF, but I'm bringing my middle daughter to show her the U live and in person! I can't even stand myself!
I have to say I totally agree with you on the feelings about Golden. My gut says he stays because he likes to prove he can thrive in the adversity...and following in the JJ model of building something dominant then trying his hand at the NFL.
However, I felt exactly the same once I heard about the situation at Penn State... The contract negotiation talk and the opening of the Penn State job are not good timing and put a giant grey cloud over the next few months. Miami needs to seal the deal and pay this guy top $$ for what he's capable of and what he'll have to deal with..regardless of how minor or major the NCAA hammer rules. I just get the feeling, if Miami hesitates, and Golden bolts..we may well see the end of our football program as a national figure for another 10 years..and I can't even stomach that thought. We'd become the pariah of couching until any possible sanctions were behind us at the very least. Ugh...shutter the thought. Go 'Canes! and please..please...pay the man, he's worth it.
pls remind coach golden of the old sports proverb "that it's not smart to follow a legend"
I couldn't agree with you more and what you're about to read isn't going to make you feel any better.
I'm definitely less concerned about the FSU/UM game as I am about the coach getting an attractive offer to go to Penn. I think the only way Coach Golden will be kept off the short list (or at least kept to the bottom) is if we lose to FSU in front of a live studio audience. With our inconsistent defense and FSU's dominant defense, I think a loss is in Tally is the "more likely than not" scenario.
I have no doubt that we will become bowl eligible with at least one win in the next three games. However, even if we win out for the next three games, we are likely to end up at a mediocre bowl game--a number of upsets are unlikely to occur to avoid that. A potential mediocre bowl invite makes it increasingly popular to institute a self-imposed post-season bowl ban for the looming NCAA sanctions to come our way. If you combine that with the loss of scholarships, the recruiting trail becomes more dreary for our first year head coach.
On the flip side, Penn State can offer him decent money, low cost of living, dream job, no sanctions and a team that doesn't need too much more of a push to get to the next level. If we win out this season, I think Golden will definitely get an invitation to their party.
So, while I read your article and wonder why I'm not excited about the game, I am contemplating the grander issues and am not sure who I should be rooting for.
YOU'RE WRONG! ;-)
Juuuuuuust kidding. I'll see you at AJ's on Friday, Brian! GO 'CANES!
I have to tell you Beast. I have wanted to start my own blog for some. Problem is, everytime I want to blog about something, I log onto your site and you usually have a pretty well thought out post on the same subject I was thinking about writing. (ie: Stop the "Fire D'Onofrio crap". In most cases we agree. So when I clicked on this particular blog, I thought it was going to be about the case for Golden either staying here or going to PSU. I just wanted to make a few points in the case for Al Golden staying in Miami.
1. UM scandal vs. PSU scandal: There shouldn't really be much comparison here. Miami players are accused of alot, but based on what has been proven or admitted to, nothing illegal has occurred, against the rules, yes, immoral, maybe, but not illegal. Come this offseason UM should know their fate, one way or the other. Then it's just a matter of dealing with whatever sanctions may occur. In the case of PSU, even if the worst of unproven smear tactic allegations is true and a UM player truly impregnated a stripper, its not even in the same ballpark as child molestation. All of the alleged victims have not come forward yet, and the complete story and the names of all involved are not known yet. Expect this to drag out for a few more years, as trials of this magnitude usually do. More bad press, more distractions, more people implicated and who knows, maybe NCAA sanctions.
2. Recruiting: Aside from South Florida being a hotbed of talent. It's much easier to sit in someones living room, with big blue eyes and convince parents that: a) Nevin Shapiro is in jail and not coming back. b)That was under the watch of a previous coaching staff or even before that. c)I have a track record that proves I am a care taker of my kids. As opposed to sitting in a living room in Pennsylvania somewhere, speaking to a parent trying to convince them that PSU doesn't stand for Pedophile State University. Suddenly the same ABC scenario above does not work for recruiting for Penn St. when there is such an unspeakable act involved, no amount of salesmanship is going to overcome parental trust in this situation. Its seems like a huge hurdle to get over. Especially when you consider that this story will only get worse.
3. JoePa vs. Randy Shannon: Who would you rather take over for? Penn St is 8-1, and could finish the season with 11 or 12 wins, one bad year at 7-6 last year and 11-2 the year before. Randy was 7-6 last year and never posted a 10 win season. There is a higher ceiling for success in Miami. Golden has a 5-4 record currently and the entire UM fanbase is smitten with him. Post a 5-4 at PSU and your name isn't JoePa, and your head is on the block. Lets say theoretically Larry Coker leaves after the 2005 season with a 9-3 record and Al Golden comes in as he did and drop games to Maryland, KSU, & Virginia. Canes fans would be calling for his head. Never be the one to replace the legend.
With all that said, I could see how Al could want to go to his Alma Mater and wouldn't begrudge him doing so. But in my opinion, his best chance for success is at UM. Look no further than the growth of Jacory, Streeter, Hurns, Spence, etc. Even in interviews with both Jacory and Spence, both admit that they would like another year here with Al Golden. He's planted the seeds now it's time for them to grow.
It is hard to tell you that you are wrong, you barely allow people to post comments recently.
Ross - The blog is getting a ton of SPAM lately. Up to 300+ comments a day. Trying to get a new filter added as it's making it very hard to approve real comments while marking the frauds as SPAM. Working on the issue and should be fixed by the weekend.