Florida State-Miami rivalry returns — and as always, the stakes are personal

By | October 14, 2026
The Florida State-Miami rivalry has shaped the landscape of college football through decades of high-stakes games with national championship implications and late-game missed field goals known as Wide Left and Wide Right. Photos from McClatchy Media, Getty Images and IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Florida State and Miami renew one of college football’s fiercest rivalries Saturday, Oct. 17, at Hard Rock Stadium. 

The third-ranked Hurricanes (5-0, 3-0 ACC) enter as heavy favorites, looking to make it three straight wins over the struggling Seminoles (3-3, 1-2) and their embattled coach, Mike Norvell.

But remember, rivalry games have a way of defying expectations. Just ask Texas, which fell to unranked Oklahoma last week despite entering as the No. 1 team in the country.

FULL STORY: FSU-Miami rivalry: Bad blood, missed kicks and decades of Sunshine State drama

Coach Mike Norvell’s Florida State team is looking for its first win against Miami since a 27-20 victory in 2023. Getty Images

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. One state. Two rivals. Bragging rights on the line.

Here’s a quick primer about the history, storylines and stakes behind this storied Sunshine State rivalry.

  • Series history: The rivalry began in 1951 with a 35-13 Miami win. More than seven decades later, the Canes lead the all-time series 37-33 and have won six of the past nine meetings.
  • National stakes: Since 1983, the programs have combined for eight national championships — five for Miami (1983, 1987, 1989, 1991, 2001) and three for Florida State (1993, 1999, 2013).
  • Wide Right and Wide Left: Missed field goals have defined the series. FSU kickers Gerry Thomas (1991), Dan Mowrey (1992) and Matt Munyon (2000) all pushed kicks wide right in Miami wins. FSU’s Xavier Beitia went wide left in 2002, then wide right in the 2004 Orange Bowl, the only postseason meeting between the teams.
Miami beat FSU 28-22 last year en route to reaching its first national championship game since the 2002 season. Getty Images
  • Why it matters: Miami cornerbacks coach DeMarcus Van Dyke summed up the stakes in 2021: “You don’t remember any record but this record right here.”
  • Marquee games: The 1991 No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup, Miami’s 27-24 upset of undefeated No. 1 FSU in 1999 and the Seminoles’ 41-14 win in 2013 during their title run all shaped college football history.

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Mike Garbett is a content specialist working with McClatchy’s Content Innovation Lab.

This report was produced with the assistance of a proprietary tool powered by artificial intelligence and using our own originally reported, written and published content. It was reviewed and edited by our journalists.

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