There are plenty of heated rivalries in college football but few have high enough levels of intensity to compete with the conflict between the Miami Hurricanes and the Florida State Seminoles. From the first ever clash to present-day encounters, there has been more drama and excitement in this particular contest than most college football battles.
Miami and Florida State: A true college rivalry
According to the archives, the rivalry dates way back to October 5th 1951 – a game that went in favor of Miami. Since then, the two sides have faced off over 60 times; with the Hurricanes winning 31 to Florida State’s 30.
And with a meeting fast approaching in 2017, fans are excited at the prospect of boasting to their friends, family and colleagues should their respective franchise emerge victorious.
The Seminoles have been the dominant force in the region in recent times, winning 10 of the last 12 encounters. In fact, Betting Sports wrote a piece in 2013 that showed Florida State’s dominance – and bookmakers priced them well ahead despite Miami earning a spot in the ‘Top 10’ of college football.
Nowadays, you have to scroll past the likes of Alabama, Clemson and Louisiana State University in the American Football betting markets for the NCAAF in order to find the Florida franchises but the rivalry remains as intense as ever.
Because let’s be honest, it isn’t all about winning championships. For fans of these two franchises, it is about pride and dominating the region. This year, DeMarcus Walker made the “Block at the Rock” in the dying embers of the game to secure a sixth straight victory for the Seminoles; and the defensive end will be raring to go ahead of the new campaign.
In the 65-year history of this contest, Florida State have won in a row just once and they will be keen to emulate that run in 2017. The Hurricanes have struggled to inspire confidence in recent years but they pushed the Seminoles very close this year.
If Miami find their best form next season, there is absolutely no reason why they cannot bridge the one-point differential and defeat their closest rivals. The battle for supremacy in the state of Florida remains incredibly strong and Miami will be looking to build on their solid effort last year. At the very least, they will be confident of beating the Seminoles in a one-off clash.
College football fans know just how huge this rivalry is and the added pressure of Miami’s losing run against the Seminoles will only add to the expectation and anticipation ahead of the 2017 season.
Rivalries come and go depending on divisional standings and success but when it comes to regional discrepancies, it will take something very special to eclipse the competitive nature of the Miami Hurricanes and the Florida State Seminoles.
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