Opposing Views: Mark Richt Returns to FSU-Miami Rivalry

There’s never any shortage of football talent when Florida State and Miami get together. The two teams have combined for eight national championships since 1983 and this year, a familiar face makes his return to the rivalry.

“Miami hit a home run with the hiring of (head coach) Mark Richt,” said Antwan Staley, a reporter covering Miami for the Palm Beach Post and Athlon Sports. “Despite not getting over the hump at Georgia, I believe he can be successful in Miami. He is in the best recruiting area in the country, so he shouldn’t have any problems getting talent to Coral Gables. In the short term, the Hurricanes should compete for the ACC Coastal division in 2016.”

Richt will be returning to his alma mater where he played quarterback for the Hurricanes from 1979-82. Richt however, has been on the other sideline as well. Richt was an assistant at FSU from 1990-2000 and spent the last seven years as the team’s offensive coordinator. In those seven years, the Seminoles went 5-2 against their rivals.

“It’s huge because Richt understands how important the rivalry is in the state of Florida regarding recruiting,” Staley said. “Florida State has owned both Miami and Florida as of late and that’s a major reason they have been so successful in recruiting. If Miami can begin to defeat Florida State on a regular basis, then they can change the mindset of recruits.”

As far as recruiting goes, Staley said Richt’s efforts to bring in former Miami greats is already making a difference. To win the in-state battle however, Miami will need to start beating FSU on the field. The Seminoles have won nine of the last 11 and six straight in the series, but the last two required a long touchdown run from Florida State’s Dalvin Cook in the final quarter to complete an FSU rally. The teams meet in South Florida this year on Oct. 8.

“Hurricanes fans should be more optimistic that Miami can defeat Florida State for a few reasons, experience and talent on both sides of the ball,” Staley said. “Miami has nine returning starters on offense, including (quarterback Brad) Kaaya, who has played against Florida State in his first two seasons. He along with the eight starters from last year aren’t afraid of Florida State and they know they can play with a team that has national championship aspirations such as the Seminoles.

“Miami’s defense should also be improved under defensive coordinator Manny Diaz. From 2012-15, the last four defenses under Diaz (Texas, Louisiana Tech and Mississippi State) have had a combined total of 133 sacks,” Staley said. “In that same span, Miami had just 95 sacks. The defense in 2016 will be a lot more aggressive under Diaz and defensive line coach Craig Kuligowski.”

Since joining the ACC in 2004, the Hurricanes have yet to win the conference or even the Coastal division since the conference went to the current format in 2005. The biggest challenge to Miami this year in the division looks to be reigning Coastal champion North Carolina, who returns 14 starters. Staley said with Richt at the helm, Miami fans should be optimistic the Hurricanes’ fortunes can change.

“Ever since Richt’s press conference last December, he has felt comfortable being back in South Florida,” Staley said. “While at Georgia, it seemed like he was always under pressure despite averaging over nine wins a season in Athens. While Miami probably won’t win the ACC Championship in 2016, Richt is putting the Hurricanes in a position to compete with Clemson and Florida State for the conference title in the not too distant future. While I won’t say ‘The U’ is back, they are certainly headed in the right direction.”