Two Thursdays ago I stood on the practice field during a Miami Hurricanes workout and marveled at the team speed and intensity of the coaches.
Two weeks prior I stood on the Florida State practice field in Tallahassee for a Thursday practice and marveled at the team speed, the intensity of the coaches and the sheer number of big, fast players.
Thursday practices are magic for college football analysts. If that sounds farfetched, consider the fact that coaches use Thursdays to review every conceivable situation that might occur in the upcoming game. Thursday afternoon meetings are usually the time for the head coach to meet with the squad, confirm the importance of the upcoming game and to imbue the players with the importance of the last 48 hours of preparation.
The assistants meet with their units, review the game plan, each kicking team and every detail of each call, audible, potential unit and individual substitution.
When the team takes the field for practice there is usually a choreographed review of each situation covered in the meetings. Every unit from the offense, defense, and kicking teams is called onto the field precisely as they will be during the game. The idea is to rehearse everything.
An experienced observer learns something from each detail of the practice, even the opponent's anticipated game plan. When scout teams align to give the starters a proper "picture" of the opponent's expected strategy, one can see what the staff anticipates and how it intends to respond.
I cannot report specific methods or coaching techniques because that would violate the trust of those who allow me to attend, but I can relate that which is not confidential.
The reasons one reads for why Miami and Florida State are usually near the top of BCS standings is that they have wonderful players, great tradition and great coaches. What you do not read is that they outwork their opponents as well.
What I see when I have that rare privilege of being in their midst as an analyst is the constant expectation of excellence. Nothing is allowed to slide. Miami gets at it one way, Florida State another. Each method fits the personality of the program and extracts maximum concentration and effort from the players.
In each case team leaders are vital, leading by example and teaching their younger teammates. Let a youngster's head drop after a coach jumps him and inevitably a veteran sidles over to encourage and admonish. When someone makes a spectacular play, the field erupts with enthusiasm and pure joy of performance.
If it isn't immediately evident, it gradually dawns: These guys love to play football.
My only wish is that I could be writing this report after attending both teams' Thursday practices this week. That is impossible, but fun to contemplate if you love this crazy sport.
If we were allowed to be invisible Thursday guests for this epic confrontation, here are a few of the things we would look for along with my guesses as to what we would see:
How is the team's body language? Are the men lively? Who has "legs"? Guess: FSU should be fresher after a week off.
Is Miami burner Devin Hester full speed? What about Florida State running backs Lorenzo Booker and Leon Washington? How is the asthma of FSU guard Bobby Meeks? Guess: All three speedsters are full speed, and that is good news for spectators. Meeks' asthma should be under control because he has been cautious about practice and humidity.
Is Miami quarterback Brock Berlin sharper than Florida State's Chris Rix? Did the quarterbacks hit twenty or thirty passes in a row without a miss or a drop? Guess: Rix will be sharp after coach Daryl Dickey has been in his face about campus parking for two weeks. Berlin will struggle with the pressure and feel the heat a bit. But note that each of these quarterbacks has been superb under pressure late in games this year!
Who is limping but not on any injury report? Who is missing from practice? Guess: Nobody is limping. Everyone wants to play.
Is either team missing assignments? Guess: Scout-teamers are nervous, lining up incorrectly, suffering withering abuse from hyper ventilating assistant coaches and grad assistants.
Are all the players out for each kicking unit without the coaches having to yell for them? Guess: One or two freshman coverage men will miss their callout and be demoted to second team on the coverage unit. They will have talked their way back into playing by Friday afternoon.
Is the ball on the ground a lot because of fumbles, missed center exchanges and dropped balls? Guess: There might be one at each practice, after which the wrath of the team will descend, followed by perfection.
Finally, if we are really lucky the head coach will walk over and say, "We've got a trick 'em this week and I'm going to show it to you now. If we run it you will be ready. (Most fun of all, especially if they run it in the game). Guess: Bowden and Coker will each have one and Bowden will call his during the game.
The list goes on and on, but by now you understand why Thursdays are so wonderful for my analyst work.
If I had to compare and contrast the two teams based on my August and September visits I would say I saw just a little more depth at Florida State, especially on defense. I would say I saw just a little more confidence and positive swagger at Miami. And I would say that this is going to be one hellacious football game. It will be no place for the faint of heart.
The game within the game will be in Xavier Beitia's head. He is the fourth in an uncanny line of Seminole kickers to endure last-second missed kicks that would have beaten the Hurricanes. In the FSU practice I attended prior to the Maryland game this year I had a long conversation with the personable kicker. He is a delightful person whose confidence is contagious. Guess: Xavier will be ready. He wants to kick it again.
Hidden yardage will not be hidden. You will see it. There will be more talent on the field in kicking situations in this game than in any other contest this season. There will be at least one long return by somebody because Hester and Antrell Rolle of Miami and Washington and Booker of Florida State are all healthy. Do not go to the refrigerator on a punting down.
ESPN college football analyst Bill Curry coached for 17 years in the college ranks. His Game Plans for marquee matchups appear each week during the college football season.