The Florida State-Miami series is among the greatest, most memorable rivalries of college football over the past 50 years. Anything you could want in a rivalry you got when the Seminoles and Hurricanes took the field. It’s often hard to whittle all of these games down to which game is the “best” and this series is no different. However you decide a great game, every game on this list fits the bill in some form. They asked for a top 10, they got a top 12.

But let’s start with the games that missed the cut:

Close but Relatively Boring

No. 10 Miami 16, No. 8 FSU 14 (2004 Orange Bowl)
No. 5 Miami 16, No. 4 FSU 10 (2004)
No. 14 FSU 10, No. 9 Miami 7 (2005)
No. 10 FSU 13, No. 11 Miami 10 (2006)

Why did they miss the cut: These games were close, but they weren’t particular entertaining and at times they were downright boring and showed struggles Jeff Bowden was having at FSU as the offensive coordinator and Larry Coker’s inability to keep the talent level up at Miami. The Orange Bowl game did, however, have FSU wearing Gold helmets with garnet jerseys with white pants for the only time I can think of. That was kind of a sweet look.

Close, Exciting and Insignificant

No. 17 Miami 28, FSU 27 (2018)
FSU 31, Miami 28 (2021)

Why did they miss the cut: FSU led 27-7 against Miami in 2018 and blew another lead. FSU’s Ricky Aguayo missed a late field-goal attempt wide left. It was the beginning of the end for Willie Taggart’s time at FSU. Miami came back from a 17-0 deficit to take a 28-20 lead in 2021, but FSU rallied and won behind a 4th-and-14 from Jordan Travis to Andrew Parchment. That spelled the end of the Manny Diaz era with the Hurricanes.

Sneaky Fun Games

No. 11 Miami 35, No. 10 FSU 27 (1985)
Miami 37, FSU 29 (2007)

Why did they miss the cut: Both games were fun to watch. The 1985 game featured a ton of future stars on both teams (Deion Sanders, Vinny Testaverde, Michael Irvin, Sammie Smith, etc.) who would play a pivotal part in a much higher-ranked game on the list. The 2007 game was with both teams in a rebuild mode and featured a lot of mistakes and wild plays. Kirby Freeman had a good drive in his career and it was in this game. Can someone please put the full 2007 game up on YouTube? Please and thank you. Also the 1990 and 2011 matchups if you have them.

Right on the Fringe

No. 23 FSU 20, No. 10 Miami 19 (2016)
No. 13 Miami 24, FSU 20 (2017)

Why did they miss the cut: Both games were good and featured drama to the final second, but we only have room for a top 12. Both games deserve a watch if you’ve never seen them. FSU finally made a special teams play to win the game in 2016 and Miami finally beats a Jimbo Fisher-led FSU team in 2017.

Now for the list!

12) No. 1 FSU 31, No. 19 Miami 21 (1999)

What happened: Chris Weinke threw for 332 yards and 2 scores as the Seminoles rallied from a 21-14 1st-half deficit to win without top wide receiver Peter Warrick. Kenny Kelly threw for 370 yards for the Hurricanes, who played tough but lost their 5th straight to the Seminoles.

Why did it make the cut: FSU was heading to its 2nd national championship and would be the 1st team to do it wire-to-wire, but Miami was on the rise and coach Butch Davis was about to field a full-scholarship team again.

11) No. 12 FSU 29, Miami 24 (2015)

What happened: Dalvin Cook owned Miami. He absolutely dominated the Hurricanes over a 3-game span. He was at his best on this Saturday night with 222 yards and 3 touchdowns rushing. Brad Kaaya threw for 405 yards and 3 touchdowns to help Miami take a 24-23 lead, but Cook had the last laugh over the Hurricanes.

Why did it make the cut: This was a really good game and should have been a springboard for Miami to be better than its 8-5 season. The Seminoles didn’t win the ACC for a 4th straight year but did make a New Year’s Six bowl. As for Cook, his numbers against Miami in the 3 games were amazing. He had 588 yards (464 rushing, 124 receiving) and 6 total touchdowns.

10) #2 No. FSU 30, Miami 26 (2014)

What happened: Remember, Dalvin Cook owned Miami. Cook rushed for 2 touchdowns, including the game-winner with 3:05 remaining, to help FSU extend its win streak to 26 games. Miami had a 16-0 lead during the 1st half and never trailed until Cook’s score. Brad Kaaya threw for more than 300 yards but was intercepted by Jalen Ramsey to effectively end the game.

Why did it make the cut: This is among the more underrated games in the the series between these teams. Miami hasn’t often been in the “upset” role during this seasons, but it was during 2014 and almost pulled it off. FSU was beginning to look gassed out and vulnerable and the end of the championship run was coming for the Seminoles.

9) No. 2 Miami 17, No. 1 FSU 16 (1991)

What happened: Wide Right I told a story that would become familiar. Florida State leads, Miami comes back, the Seminoles drive into field-goal range and miss a field-goal attempt that they otherwise would make. Gerry Thomas was the culprit and it was a 34-yard try.

Sure it made the cut, but why isn’t it ranked higher: This game just drags for too long. The fact that it was No. 1 vs. No. 2 and Miami went on to win its 4th national title gives it a historical significance, but as a game, it really doesn’t hold up to the other wide right/lefts. Sorry.

8) FSU 41, Miami 39 (2008)

What happened: FSU jumped to a 24-0 lead, but Miami wouldn’t go quietly and pulled to 34-32 during the 4th quarter before Antone Smith scored his 4th touchdown to effectively end the game. Christian Ponder struggled throwing the ball but rushed for 144 yards. This game also is notable for an amazing rain storm during the 2nd half. Travis Benjamin had 2 touchdowns for the Hurricanes.

Why did it make the cut: This was a highly entertaining game and a good display of some of the young talent both programs were getting. It wasn’t a perfect game by any stretch, but it was exciting to watch both teams play free and reckless at times. This game also was Bobby Bowden’s last win against Miami.

7) Miami 38, No. 18 FSU 34 (2009)

What happened: With both programs still finding themselves, they had an unexpected crazy Labor Day shootout. Jacory Harris was amazing, throwing for 386 yards on just 21 completions. The game featured so many lead changes and 32 points scored during the 4th quarter. Graig Cooper gave Miami the lead with less than 2 minutes left, but the game wasn’t over until Jarmon Fortson failed to haul in a short pass in the end zone as time expired.

Why did it make the cut: If both teams were ranked among the top 10 or thereabout this would be a top-5 all-time FSU-Miami game. Tremendous entertainment with so many swings in momentum.

6) No. 9 FSU 24, No. 2 Miami 10 (1989)

What happened: FSU lost its 1st 2 games against Southern Miss and Clemson, respectively, before running off 10 straight victories. Miami had won 4 straight against FSU, including a 31-0 beatdown during 1988. FSU needed payback and got it on this Saturday night in Tallahassee. Future Heisman winner Gino Torretta was intercepted by future Pro Football Hall of Famer LeRoy Butler on the game’s first pass play and Dexter Carter scored on the next play. Torretta threw 4 interceptions in the game.

Why did it make the cut: Of all the FSU-Miami games, the 1988 and 1989 games were so electric with the night crowd and they felt more personal than any of the prior games. The 1989 Seminoles might be the best 2-loss team in the past 50 years of college football. But they weren’t the champions … that honor went to Miami for the 3rd time.

5) No. 1 Miami 28, No. 9 FSU 27 (2002)

What happened: Wide Left. Miami was the reigning champs and already had crushed Florida 41-16 at the Swamp during the season. FSU still was reeling after an overtime loss at Louisville a few weeks prior. Miami came in as a big favorite, but FSU had Greg Jones and the 240-pound running back battered Miami during the opening half. Jones’ 11-yard touchdown run during the 4th quarter game the Seminoles 27-14 lead, but Miami came back as Ken Dorsey finished with 362 yards and Willis McGahee piled up 173 total yards . An 11-yard touchdown run from Jason Geathers gave the Hurricanes a 28-27 lead. With time running out Chris Rix made a couple of ridiculous plays to get FSU into field-goal position for solid, reliable kicker Xavier Beitia. And Beitia missed to the left. Miami extended its winning streak to 28 games.

Why did it make the cut: It was an instant classic. FSU finished the season 9-5 and never really recovered from this loss. Miami went on to another championship game but lost to Ohio State in double-overtime. Beitia was never the same kicker after this miss. He had a shot at redemption in the 2004 Orange Bowl against Miami, but missed a 39-yard field-goal wide right that would have given the Seminoles a lead in the fourth quarter.

4) No. 1 FSU 28, No. 3 Miami 10 (1993)

What happened: Florida State erased 2 seasons of wide rights and ended a 3-game losing skid against its rival. Heisman winner Charlie Ward threw a 72-yard touchdown pass to Matt Frier and rushed for another score as the Seminoles got a decisive win against the Hurricanes. FSU gained 450 yards and led by double digits for most of the game, but it wasn’t over until Devin Bush picked up an errant pass from Frank Costa during the 4th quarter and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown. If you look at the replay of that moment, the camera quickly cuts to a distraught Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson on the sidelines.

Why did it make the cut: This was the game FSU needed to survive in order to claim its first national title. This also was the beginning of the end of Miami’s 10-year run of dominance.

3) No. 2 Miami 19, No. 3 FSU 16 (1992)

What happened: “Wide Right II” probably was the most physical matchup in the entire series between the schools. It was the total definition of a dog fight. Tamarick Vanover opened the game with a 94-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Seminoles kicker Dan Mowrey hit 2 field goals during the 2nd half to turn a 10-10 halftime score into a 16-10 Seminoles lead. But Miami came back — the Hurricanes always came back — this time it was Gino Torretta tossing a 33-yard touchdown pass to Lamar Thomas to take a 17-16 lead. The Hurricanes added a safety after Corey Sawyer misplayed a punt and tried to toss the ball out of the end zone. Still FSU had a chance, and Charlie Ward put together his best plays of the day, converting a 4th-and-12 to Kez McCorvey in the process. Mowrey had a 39-yard field-goal attempt to tie (no overtimes back then). He missed to the right.

Why did it make the cut: It’s surprising that both teams could walk after this game. As much as FSU-Miami is a rivalry, it’s a rivalry built on respect and this game spelled that out more than most. FSU would win out and finish No. 2 in the polls. Miami would head to the Sugar Bowl as the No. 1 team and get walloped by Alabama 34-13.

2) No. 7 Miami 27, No. 1 FSU 24 (2000)

What happened: Wide Right III. Miami finally was back at full scholarships and fuming after an early loss to Washington. FSU had a 17-game win streak. The Hurricanes jumped to a 17-0 lead by halftime on the strength of a touchdown catch by Najeh Davenport and a touchdown run by D.J. Williams. But the Seminoles came back strong behind Chris Weinke’s 496 passing yards. He threw 2 touchdown passes to Anquan Boldin to trim the deficit to 20-17 and a 29-yard touchdown to Atrews Bell to take a 24-20 lead with 1:37 remaining. Ken Dorsey, however, drove Miami down quickly and a touchdown pass to Jeremy Shockey made it 27-24 with 46 seconds remaining. Weinke drove the Seminoles to the Miami 32 and then had to let walk-on Matt Munyon try for a 49-yarder. Munyon missed a 22-yard attempt earlier in the game, so the confidence level in him was very low. He hit the ball strong, but it went wide right.

Why did it make the cut: This probably the game of the year in the 2000 season. Despite the loss FSU did enough with the BCS calculations to play Oklahoma for a national title but lost 13-2. Miami won out and beat Florida 37-20 in the Sugar Bowl to finish No. 2.

Why wasn’t it ranked No. 1: Because there was a game just a little better. It’s close, though. The crazy irony of this game is that from 1993 through 1999 FSU had 2 kickers, Scott Bentley and Sebastian Janikowski, who were recruited to make these kicks and would have made them. But neither ever had to make a crucial kick against Miami because during that stretch the Seminoles went 6-1 against the Hurricanes with all 6 wins by double digits. Funny how these things work.

1) No. 3 Miami 26, No. 4 FSU 25 (1987)

What happened: Everything. This is the game that put FSU vs. Miami on the map. Ten future 1st-round picks, 3 Pro Football Hall of Famers (Michael Irvin, Deion Sanders and LeRoy Butler) and a ton of All-Americans. The game story is familiar. FSU took a big lead, this time it was the legs of Sammie Smith (30 carries, 189 yards) and a blocked punt for a touchdown by Martin Mayhew that gave the Seminoles a 19-3 lead. But FSU’s special teams left a lot of points on the board in the process and Miami isn’t the team to do that with. Steve Walsh began to warm up. First it was a 49-yard touchdown to Melvin Bratton to make it 19-11 and then a short touchdown to Irvin, who finally got away from Sanders to make it 19-19. FSU looked to answer but turned the ball in the red zone. Miami wanted to strike fast and with Sanders not covering Irvin on a play, Walsh hit the ‘Playmaker’ for 73 yards and a 26-19 lead. The Seminoles came back with quarterback Danny McManus (who looked like he was about 37) marching them down the field and into the red zone. He hit Ronald Lewis for a 18-yard touchdown to make it 26-25. With special teams struggling all day, coach Bobby Bowden thought about it and went for 2. McManus threw a bad pass and Bubba McDowell knocked it down.

The Aftermath: Miami went on to beat Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl for its 2nd national title and arguably its best team of that 10-year run during the 1980s and 1990s. Florida State won out the rest of the way and beat Nebraska in the Fiesta Bowl to finish No. 2.