For The Record: Canes 'N Noles

Well, the 2005 version of Miami vs. Florida State came and went. For the first time since I became a Canes fan did Miami lose to Florida State. On one hand, maybe they got this win out of their system and we can go back to Miami dominance. On another, slightly (read: very) more rational, logical hand, you could say that FSU gave the Canes about a zillion chances to win the game and in no way deserved to win despite the numbers on the scoreboard when the clock hit 00:00.

"I don't mean to say anything bad about Florida State," [Miami quarterback Kyle] Wright said. "But I don't think the better team won."

Clearly I have a bias. However, based on the box score stats and just by watching the game, it's clear that Miami outplayed Florida State on every level but sacks/QB protection. Miami's guards and center (the tackles were fine) were a siv. I'm not sure they knew the game was being played yesterday. How many dropped passes did Miami have? I can think of four just off the top of my head and one would have given them 1st and goal at the 4 yard line. I can also think of a dropped interception by Kelly Jennings.

Here's a quick look at the most important stats of the game:

Miami FSU
1st downs: 21 9
total yards: 313 270
3rd down conversion: 4-16 2-14
turnovers: 2 3
time of possession: 36:48 23:12

If you didn't watch the game you'd think, "ok, Miami probably beat them by a couple touchdowns." Well, when your special teams shits the bed every time they get the ball (2 missed field goals, one botched snap on a field goal, one punt blocked, one fumble on a punt return, two 15-yard penalties on one FSU punt return and the ejection of your backup runningback who you'd need later in the game) you tend not to win ball games.

Oh by the way, that FSU punt return with the penalties? They called Devin Hester for catch interference despite the fact he was pushed into the FSU player which would be a penalty on FSU. Which is why Charlie Jones (the backup runninback) flipped out and got an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and ejection. These two bullshit penalties of course negated the fact that the FSU player who tried to return the punt muffed it and and Miami recovered the ball. So the Hurricanes should have had the ball (which was recovered around the 35 of FSU) plus tack on 15 more yards for FSU interference for shoving Hester into the FSU returner. This was a huge turning point in the game.

Not to mention Florida State's offense looked completely inept. I'll give the Canes defense credit where credit's due but the Seminoles couldn't put a drive together against Northwest Podunk Community College. Both their quarterbacks look like crap and the only player that had any success against Miami were their runningbacks who combined for 96 yards - and even that isn't impressive at all.

So basically Florida State caught a break. They got royally outplayed in every aspect of the gamve, save for the sacks/Miami's offensive line, and someone found a four leafed clover. They did not earn the win in any way. Bobby F'ing Bowdon caught a break. Somehow the most steadfast, rock-solid part of Miami's game over the past half dozen years (special teams) decided to take a day off. Enjoy your "win" Florida State. We'll see you in Jacksonville in a couple months for the ACC Championship. That's, of course, if you make it past Wake Forest alive. Ha!