The weekend’s marquee college football game – Miami vs. Florida State – is one deep-rooted in hatred and classic moments from guys like Ray Lewis, Deion Sanders, Marvin Jones, Sean Taylor, nearly Randy Moss and more. Only, let the people in Vegas tell the story, it’s not going to be much of a game since the ‘Noles are a three touchdown favorite.
Normally, this wouldn’t be a huge deal. But the margin constitutes as the largest point spread in the history of the free world between teams ranked in the Top 10. Call it however you want, but it probably has something to do with Florida State dismantling its last three opponents (including a then-Top 3 Clemson squad) by a combined 132 points – the equivalent to 22 touchdowns. Meanwhile, Miami’s appeared anything but dominant in victories over Wake Forest, UNC and Georgia Tech.
The Canes are talented. Duke Johnson’s one of the better running backs in the country and a team doesn’t earn a Top 10 ranking for cool uniform colors or team nicknames. But this is the best Florida State team in well over a decade with very real national title aspirations. If Miami fails to get Jameis Winston to do something no team has yet to accomplish – make him look like a redshirt freshman – and put impact drives together on offense, cancel Christmas because this could get ugly before getting settled at the bar.
Twenty-one points may be a smack in the face if you’re a Canes fan. It should be. Yet, it’s not exactly out of place either.