MIAMI _ It's among college football's fiercest rivalries, and despite this strange, unpredictable year, it will continue for its 65th installment in prime time on national television.
The No. 12 Miami Hurricanes (2-0, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) face the unranked Florida State Seminoles (0-1, 0-1) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday (ABC) at Hard Rock Stadium. And no matter how different it seems because of the COVID-19 pandemic _ a 13,000 attendance limit, no FSU head coach (more on that later), no UM students, no marching bands, and no alcohol at an event which usually spurs its share of inebriated, supercharged fans _ of one thing you can be sure: four-quarters of heart-and-soul drama.
"Fifty years from now," said UM tight end Brevin Jordan, "people are going to be asking, 'Hey, man, did you beat Florida State?'
"I'm just so excited."
Make that Jordan and UM fans and FSU fans and dozens of former and current players who grew up with each other and wait for this ACC matchup all year. As always, there are bragging rights on the line, which is significant when you're from football-rich South Florida.
"Growing up all I knew is the Miami Hurricanes and that they don't lose to Florida State," said Canes cornerback DJ Ivey, a junior out of South Dade High. "That's all Coach Diaz preached, we don't lose to Florida State. I'm 2-0. I plan to be 4-0."
