It’s a game that’s appointment television, even when one or both teams are down. Miami vs. Florida State is a marquee matchup and one that is almost impossible not to get up for.

For decades, this has featured some of the greatest collegiate athletes on the planet squaring off. Some folks ask why FSU/Miami is so great. For me, thinking about it, it’s the top tier athletes from the state of Florida facing off. I feel like perhaps more than any other game over the decades. A pure display of freakish physical skills. Add in the rivalry/hatred aspect, and it’s a pure spectacle, plain and simple.

I’ve been to a lot of sporting events, Miami and otherwise, the years. But October 12, 2002 is still a date that comes to mind when people ask the greatest game I’ve been to. Also applies to questions about my favorite game I’ve been to.

On that date, Florida State invaded the Orange Bowl for their annual matchup. The Noles came in at No. 9 and 5-1. The Canes entered a perfect 5-0. It was an early kick, a noon game, if I recall correctly, so my friends had to leave South Beach where we lived early that day. I remember parking in a rando’s driveway like usual and making our way towards a friend’s tailgate near the stadium. And then, on to the student gate, flash the ID card, and up the steep ramp we went the student section on the lower side. We were around the goal line extended, so the seats were good.

I remember a fight in the concourse on the way to the bathroom. I remember it being hot as hell, par for the course. God, I guess I’m remembering all these things because what I wouldn’t give for just one more game at the old gal.

Anyways, Miami saw an early lead evaporate, as Greg Jones looked like the literal hulk out there just crushing and dragging people. When I think of that game and FSU, his big frame running over Miami defenders comes back to my mind. An all-time underrated performance in the series because of the game result in my opinion. 189 rushing yards. Manchild.

And I remember thinking this was going to be a true gut punch down 27-14 in the fourth quarter. But Kevin Beard’s touchdown brought it to 27-21. And then, one of the plays I’ll never forget in my life. Ken Dorsey dumped the ball off to Willis McGahee, who took off for 68 yards into the FSU red zone. Jason Geathers ran it in one play later, and bedlam ensued in the stadium, as Miami had come all the way back to retake the lead.

On FSU’s final drive, they had to spike it at the Miami 26 as the clock ran down. I swore the clock should have run out, and rewatching it, I still believe it to this day. How the HOME clock operator at the Orange Bowl didn’t run that last second off, but rather seemed to hold it, really blows my mind to this day. But FSU got one chance to win it.

Of course, Xavier Beitia swung it wide left to send off a screaming-and-tackling-each-other unglued mess of people in the student section to celebrate an incredible and impactful win. Because we were looking straight down the line at the goalposts, I had no idea if it was online, but I watched the crowd in the bleachers go insane behind the goal posts as it approached, so I knew right as it passed the post that he’d missed it.

An all-time moment from a special season that should have been even more special if not for highway robbery in the desert. I will always cherish that game and experience for as long as I live.

What about you? What’s your favorite Miami vs. FSU game/experience/memory? Let’s hear it.