Quote:By Steve Ellis
DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

Stanford Samuels reverted to his youth Thursday night and cheered his hometown Miami Hurricanes to a hard-fought 22-20 victory over West Virginia.

"I was a 'Canes fan all over again," said the Florida State cornerback, who is from Carol City. "I was for them hard. I want this to be with both teams in the top five. I want it to be like it was."

Samuels will get his wish. A series that began losing its national appeal in 1997 when FSU whipped an NCAA-sanctioned Miami 47-0 is back. Only once in the past six years have both teams been in the top10 as first Miami, and then FSU, took turns at falling from college football's elite. Thanks to Miami's escape Thursday night, FSU (5-0) and the Hurricanes (5-0) enter Saturday's game ranked in the Associated Press's top five and undefeated. It is the first time either will happen in this series since 1993.

But one question begs to be answered in a packed Doak Campbell Stadium: Is FSU back? Over the past two years, the Seminoles have lost nine games, ending a run of 14 consecutive seasons of 10 victories and top-5 finishes,

Now FSU is good enough for ESPN's GameDay and a host of national media to visit Tallahassee to see if FSU's return is for real. At least two national media members believe they already are.

"I always thought they would be back," said ESPN analyst Lee Corso, a former Florida State player. "(Bobby Bowden) has made some nice changes - coming off the tower a little bit more, which brings energy to the players. Anytime the boss in any organization comes around, everybody gets a little more sense of urgency. The fact he's more involved in the strategic planning ...

"Defensively they are very, very good. (Linebackers coach) Kevin Steele has really helped them. They look like they are extremely well-coached and got that old passion back. The kicking game is good. And offensively, they seem to be getting more of a personality of what they want to do. They have found an identity - throwing the football into different areas and running Greg Jones occasionally."

"I think they're back," CBS SportsLine's Dennis Dodd said. "If they lose to Miami 30-0, then you have to re-evaluate. I was skeptical - waiting to see. It's pretty obvious they got the speed on defense and I think the running backs are great. (Chris) Rix on the field has been pretty good. We were wrong to doubt them."

But many believe FSU must beat Miami before it can swagger onto the football field again. It's OK to have a little hop in the step as they now have. But in their opinion, anything else must be earned against Miami.

"A lot of people say we ain't played nobody but it is an opportunity right here," FSU defensive tackle Darnell Dockett said.

The five teams FSU has faced so far are a combined 14-14, and none are in the Top25.

"The definition of being back at Florida State, to me, is different from everybody else," said Tony Barnhart, an Atlanta Journal-Constitution writer and an ESPN correspondent. "Florida State is not back unless it's in the national championship hunt. And to do that, they must win this game.

"They are almost all the way back. And to me, this game is the final (step). They look dominant on defense again. Defense has always been the key over there. I like their running backs."

Miami is hobbled by injuries, including running back Frank Gore, who is out for the season after tearing his ACL Thursday night. Quarterback Brock Berlin has been inconsistent, but he is also undefeated in 49 games as a starter dating back to high school. The Hurricanes have wowed few teams this season, but this is still Miami, and as always, Miami is a critical test for FSU.

"They are obviously better than they were last year and obviously are very good," ABC Sports analyst Terry Bowden said of FSU. "But if back means they're going to play for a national championship, which I think to my dad's mind is just what that means, I don't think you can say for sure until after the Miami game."

His father, FSU coach Bobby Bowden, noted that a loss to Miami would not necessarily end FSU's national championship aspirations. Miami lost to FSU in 1989 but won the title, and the Seminoles fell to Miami in 2000 and played for the national title against Oklahoma. But to Bobby Bowden, the Miami game is almost always the barometer.

"There's no doubt about it, this is a measuring ballgame," Bobby Bowden said.

they left?

Hell yea they left. Remember the last two years? Give 'em some time. They will fall back into the quagmire of mediocrity once again but unfortunately for FSU, this year will be their last cakewalk to an ACC championship and an automatic BCS bid. Enjoy it while you can Noles. Everything changes next year when the ACC finally adds some competition. But there is still Miami, Virginia, Notre Dame, and believe it or not UF this year. Could still be a 9-3 or 8-4 season in the makings.

I think8-4 is a real possibility!

I mean...Tennessee will be playing for all the marbles.

Florida "owns them"...

Looks like Auburn has healed...

They will have major trouble with Ga Tech...

Without question...back to the bunker until 2023.

It occurs every 20 years...huh?