Labor Day Cookout: FSU @ The "U"

The 11Noles and 12Canes get together for their annual Backyard Brawl

Are you ready for some FSU football?!

The rivalry that has defined college football for much of the past 15 years takes center stage on this holiday evening for a renewal of the annual "Wide Right Bowl"

The Noles will be facing a rebuilding and depleted Hurricane squad. Miami has suspended 2 of its best players for this game, star receiver Ryan Moore and stud RB Tyrone Moss. Junior QB Kyle Wright should be better prepared to face the Noles than he was in last years' opener when he was making his first collegiate start; he also has a new O coordinator, Rich Olsen, who brings a pro-style offense to the mix.

But FSU figures to be better than when they squeaked out a sloppy 10-7 victory last year, thanks to Miami K Jon Peattie missing 2 FG's and the special teams muffing the snap on the potential game winner at the buzzer. QB Drew Weatherford also made his first collegiate start in last years' game, and his experience with the offense should play a key part in making the always-tough trip to the Orange Bowl, where FSU has not won since 1998.

Look for the Noles to pound strong & speedy senior back Lorenzo Booker a ton & then try to go spread the field with slick receivers Chris Davis, De'Cody Fagg and Greg Carr. Miami will counter with their trademark tough defense behind beast DL Baraka Atkins, LB Jon Beason and S Branden Meriweather.

In other words it should be another tough, sloppy (hey, it's the first game-luckily next year it goes back to mid-Oct) and physical contest, one that will probably be decided with...GULP...a kick. Which means the most important matchup of all could be Gary Cismesia vs. Jon Peattie. Oh the joy of kicking!

Go Noles!