Florida State emerges with spotlight

The big game - UM and FSU are the definition of it. Not only do these two schools have a long and rivaled history against one another, with implications of national championships upon each meeting still, but they are also an institution of sorts.

ESPN kicked off its coverage of the college season with the fireworks that are ESPN Full Circle coverage. Spread over several channels, the coverage of this game was extensive going from the main telecast on ESPN to its mosaic-styled coverage on ESPN2 to online specials and even special coverage offered on its expanded stations like ESPNU.

And the game didn't disappoint. Several jarring hits popped helmets off. Speedy defenses recovered to suck up powerful, but frantic, offenses. Only 3 rushing yards allowed for the whole game by both defenses. It became a one dimensional grudge match where both teams scrapped through the air.

The rust was apparent: from the running games, the play calling, to the officiating which had to border on idiotic.

Yet, with the 13-10 win over their rivals, it is the Seminoles that emerge with the spoils and the spotlight. They are now on course for an ACC title match and possibly a national championship. While the Hurricanes are cast down back into the depths of the rankings from which they will have to fight to get out of.

Perhaps they will meet again in the ACC championship game.

But this is what happens when UM and FSU get together. They kick off the college season, they kick off the ACC season, and they restart a rivalry that not only serves as motivation for training camp and spring practice, but that could also shape the offseason recruiting process as well as possible national title hopes.

This is what college football is all about, and Florida State now embodies precisely that.