Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sport
The Miami Hurricanes and Florida Gators will do battle one last time on September 7 at Sun Life Stadium. At first glance it appears to be just another non-conference game between two arch rivals.
The truth is that this game has far reaching consequences: in the national title picture, the recruiting wars, and in regards to the in-state power struggle.
First, the Gators will be highly ranked. Gator Nation really believes it was robbed of a shot at the national title. They think the team this year is good enough to get it done. The Canes on the other hand will be good , but unranked. If Miami wins, Florida national championship hopes are cooked. Miami, on the other hand, will have just leapfrogged one its three toughest opponents.
It will also not be a stretch to think of the dozens of recruits that will be town for the game. Both teams will want to show it is the big dog in this legendary series. Don’t think for a minute that the winner of this game won’t have an inside track on some of the best recruits in the country. Another aspect is that Miami and Florida are recruiting many of the same kids. Everyone loves a winner, and many recruits might solely basing their decision on this game.
Lastly, these two teams along with the Florida State Seminoles have been in a three decades long game of King of the Hill — that hill being the relatively hill — less state of Florida. Each team has had its run as top dog in the state with Miami’s being the 1980s and early 1990s, Florida State’s being the mid to late 1990s, and Florida’s being in the 2000s. For the first time in a quite a while, there is not clear dominant team in the state. The winner of this game will take a big chunk of the state’s bragging rights.
So, at first glance, it is easy to dismiss this game as just another rivalry game. The reality is this might be the biggest game of the college football season.
Chris Cunningham is a college football writer for www.RantSports.com. You are encouraged to troll him on Twitter.com @cunn1431.
