Joel Buchsbaum's key college games

Once-classic rivalry back to form in 2000

By Joel Buchsbaum, Contributing editor
As published in print Oct. 2, 2000

Miami (Fla.) RB James Jackson

If the Seminoles are to successfully defend their national championship, they must beat Miami on the road. On the other hand, if the Hurricanes are to get into a Bowl Championship Series game, they almost have to beat the Seminoles after losing to Washington earlier in the year. Florida State has the most talented football team in America. The Seminoles have more pro prospects, more team speed and more pure athletes than any other team. However, some will argue they have a lot of great athletes with great speed who are not all great football players because they lack great instincts and passion or are me-first players who put their own desire to be on the ESPN highlight tapes above the good of the team. Under Jimmy Johnson and Dennis Erickson, Miami was the near-dynasty powerhouse that FSU is today. Now, after getting their full allotment of scholarships back, the Hurricanes are close to being back to where they were. However, FSU is a much deeper team with a veteran quarterback, while Miami is starting a skinny sophomore behind center and really does not have a viable alternative to go to when he gets overwhelmed, as was the case in the Washington game.

Quarterbacks — Chris Weinke is a 28-year-old senior who lost weight and improved his quickness, mobility and ability to avoid the rush during the offseason. He has size and stature, a good but not exceptional arm and a great supporting cast. He throws some very nice deep balls, has improved his accuracy in the short- and medium-range area and is a mature and poised leader. However, at times he still shows poor judgment with where he throws the ball. Miami’s Ken Dorsey is a tall, skinny, smart pure passer with an accurate but not strong arm and limited mobility. His lack of experience and mobility really showed up in the Washington game. He needs good protection to be effective. Edge: FSU

Running backs — No team has more gifted tailbacks than Miami. Senior James Jackson has adequate size and speed to the outside, junior Najeh Davenport has tremendous size and speed and good running skills, sophomore Clinton Portis has the best running skills and innate ability and Jarrett Payton, another sophomore and the son of the late Walter Payton, has his father’s heart. Payton could wind up redshirting because Miami may be hurting all three of the backs in front of him by rotating them. Portis, who was averaging more than 10 yards per carry, may have to miss this game after breaking three toes on his right foot. FSU’s Travis Minor is a gifted back, but he has not quite lived up to his billing as the next Warrick Dunn. Jeff Chaney is a gifted backup who can also play some fullback. Both club’s fullbacks have been afterthoughts in recent years. Edge: Miami

Receivers — Miami has two potential first-round picks at wide receiver in Santana Moss and Reggie Wayne. Moss has great speed and is a very dangerous broken-field runner who also excels as a return man. Wayne is not as fast, but he is bigger and probably a better pure receiver. He has great hands and natural pass-catching ability. TE Robert Williams is raw around the edges but has very good speed for a tight end and can add a dimension to the offense. Florida State will generally play with two wide receivers and a slot receiver. Senior Marvin Minnis is quick, catches well, gets separation and may be Weinke’s favorite target. However, Robert Morgan, Atrews Bell and Anquan Boldin are all bigger, faster and more talented than Minnis and could be really special players with more experience. Edge: Miami

Offensive linemen — Florida State has a huge, talented and deep line led by OTs Brett Williams, Tarlos Thomas and Char-ron Dorsey. Thomas could be the best of the bunch if he worked harder, Dorsey really has come on as a senior after almost being redshirted and Williams is a 320-pound sophomore who started as a freshman. Otis Duhart could be a cornerstone at guard, and seniors Justin Amman and Jarad Moon are blue-collar-type seniors. Miami is not as deep or talented, but Joaquin Gonzalez is a talented tackle. Edge: FSU

Defensive linemen — Miami’s Damione Lewis is not quite another Warren Sapp, but he can be a great player when he is at the top of his game. Miami does not have any great outside rushers, while nobody has more speed at end than FSU when seniors Jamal Reynolds and David Warren are starting. Reynolds and Warren both have CB speed and great upfield explosion, but Warren has not been very durable and both are undersized. Reynolds is playing at an All-America level, and preseason All-American Roland Seymour may be cleared for limited action in this game. DTs Kevin Emanuel, Jeff Womble and Chris Woods are just pups who already look like men and will only get bigger and better. Edge: FSU

Linebackers — Miami moved Dan Morgan, its best linebacker and leading Butkus Award candidate, to the middle. He has really good range but is not the leverage player at the point of attack that Nate Webster was. FSU’s Tommy Polley may have been the best junior outside linebacker in the country last year before suffering a knee injury in the Sugar Bowl, and he is close to being all the way back now. Bradley Jennings starts in the middle, and athletically gifted senior Brian Allen is the other starter. Edge: FSU

Defensive backs — Every player in both teams’ secondaries could wind up in the NFL. FSU’s Derrick Gibson has the tools to be the best strong safety in the country. Tay Cody has started at cornerback since his sophomore year, and Clevan Thomas often started ahead of the Cowboys’ Mario Edwards, who was a preseason All-American last year. Cody may lack great catch-up speed, but he really has improved his run support this year. One problem with almost all of Miami’s defensive backs is that they don’t play the ball well and often don’t play as well as coaches feel they should. Senior CB Leonard Myers is the perfect example of that. Junior CB Mike Rumph has size and skills, but he is not as fluid turning as the ’Canes would like and loses something in transition. FS Al Blades is a leader and a tough guy who is better when he is a true free safety than when he must cover man-to-man. Junior SS Edward Reed hits and plays bigger than his size. Edge: Even

Special teams — Florida State no longer has Peter Warrick returning punts, but the Seminoles still have some very gifted return men. Miami’s Santana Moss is a true gamebreaker. Both teams have shaky PK situations, but Florida State has a good veteran punter in Keith Cottrell. Edge: Even

Game notes: Both teams play this game on the edge, meaning they may not hit after the whistle, but they are taught to punish the other team and to hit until the whistle blows, perhaps even while it is being blown. Thus, the officials may crack down and call a very tight game to prevent things from getting out of hand. Pro scouts regard both schools as great training grounds for prospects and love the tempo with which each team runs its practices. The press box will be filled with scouts, and both teams know it, meaning some players will turn it up an extra notch.

PREDICTION:

Prediction: Florida State 31, Miami (Fla.) 20

Also see: PFW's College Top 10

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2000 - 2001 Season