While thinking about how the 3rd-ranked Miami (FL) Hurricanes are coming into Saturday’s matchup as only a 4.5 point favorite over the 18th-ranked Florida State Seminoles, I started reminiscing about some
of my personal favorite memories of FSU upset victories in games when Miami was ranked higher.
After some further research, I came up with my list of FSU upset wins over a higher-ranked Miami team over the years.
Here is the countdown of my favorite Florida State upsets of the higher-ranked Miami team, with some brief memories and game details. Be sure to share your favorite memories of these or any other upset wins in the comments below.
Honorable Mention: Ending the Orange Bowl (September 4, 2006, 13-10)
Technically, this was not an upset since Florida State and Miami were fairly evenly ranked, with the Noles ranked No. 11 and the Canes No. 12, but rather this entry is due to the fact that FSU won this last game the two teams ever played in the Orange Dump.
Cane fans like to talk about the lore of their dominance when they played at the Orange Dump, but in reality, they barely beat the Noles in half of the games played there. FSU’s final record against UM in games played at the Orange Dump was 15-16, one game under .500, which is hardly as dominant as they like to claim.
Also, FSU won a national championship and I was there. Which is irrelevant, but still. Just saying.
No. 6: The Spike by Van Dyke (November 13, 2021, 31-28)
With both teams unranked, Miami, with the better record, was slightly favored, but both teams’ seasons were mired in mediocrity, and both teams were struggling to become bowl-eligible.
What made this a memorable game was the spectacular ending when Miami QB Tyler Van Dyke attempted to spike the ball with only two seconds left. The rules clearly state that there must be at least three seconds remaining on the clock to spike the play dead. Come on, Tyler, everyone knows that rule.
Even though it turned out to be a meaningless game in a meaningless season, it was a great way for the Noles to snap their three-game losing streak, and for Miami to get mocked nationally.
No. 5: Ruining Jimmy Johnson’s Orange Bowl debut (September 22, 1984, 38-3)
The No. 15 Seminoles dismantled the No. 4 Canes in Miami’s home season debut featuring new coach Jimmy Johnson, by a 38-3 score. FSU gained almost 500 yards of offense, while the defense held UM to just 10 rushing yards and 247 total, sacking Bernie Kosar six times and Vinny Testaverde twice. The Canes came in at 4-0 with wins over No. 1 Auburn, No. 17 Florida, No. 14 Michigan, and Purdue.
(Remember to adjust the tracking on your VCR for fewer playback streaks)
No. 4: Jimbo becomes UM’s Daddy (October 9, 2010, 45-17)
The No. 23 Seminoles spanked the No. 13 Canes with a 45-17 switch, giving new FSU coach Jimbo Fisher his first signature win. That beating and subsequent spankings administered by Fisher for seven straight years earned him the moniker “Papi Jimbo” in Coral Gables, as many prominent UM boosters and fans admitted calling him during that period.
No. 3: The Miami Muff (September 5, 2005, 10-7)
The No. 9 Canes came to Tallahassee to face the No. 14 Noles in what turned out to be a low-scoring defensive snoozefest.
What made this upset special is that Miami was trailing 10-7 and lined up for a game-tying field goal that could have sent the game to overtime. The Miami holder muffed what appeared to be a manageable snap, and the kicker never even had a chance.
After years of FSU losing games on last-minute botched field goals, Miami finally got to feel the pain of losing on a failed game-ending field goal attempt. In addition, the UM loss also ended FSU’s six-game losing streak against the Canes.
No. 2: The Block at the Rock (October 8, 2016)
The undefeated and No. 10 Canes and the No. 23 Seminoles fought a back-and-forth game that was only decided when, with 1:41 remaining in the game, FSU’s DeMarcus Walker blocked Miami’s potential game-tying extra point, securing a 20-19 victory for FSU in Miami’s rented stadium and extending the Noles’ win streak to seven straight games. FSU finished the season ranked No. 8 after defeating Michigan in the Orange Bowl, and UM finished No. 20.
No. 1: Noles force 6 turnovers against No. 1 Miami (October 28, 1989, 24-10)
The No. 1 Canes swaggered into Doak with the nation’s top-ranked defense, the best odds of winning the national championship, and riding a four-game win streak over the No. 9 Seminoles.
Twenty-three seconds into the game, FSU scored a touchdown, led the rest of the way, and ruined Miami’s chance at an undefeated season. The Canes did get the consolation prize by splitting the NC, winning the lesser coaches title, while Colorado won the real NC as voted on by the media. FSU finished the season ranked No. 3 after embarrassing Nebraska in the Fiesta Bowl.
(Dexter Carter plants flag on Clark’s head at 4:37)
