Posted by NoleCC

By Bill Kristoph

When it was announced that the Miami / FSU game was going to be the first game of the season, and on Monday night back in 2004, I couldn’t be convinced that it was a good idea. Why would the ‘Noles (or ‘Canes for that matter) want to play their biggest rival on opening day? Shouldn’t both teams have a warm up or two before putting the season on the line? Why make it tough on the fans who travel, to make a Monday night game?

Then it dawned on me. Recruiting.

When you are the only game on television, and one of the few fresh television programs on Labor Day, every player in the country is going to watch the game. From coast to coast, high school recruits get to see what Florida State and Miami are all about. Forget about regional coverage, or ESPN coverage, or the fact that you might get a bunch of NFL starved fans tuning in, the Monday Night Experience elevates both programs into the national consciousness more than any other weekend can.

Have the games been sloppy? Yes. Have they been about defense, so far? Yes. Does that hinder the presentation of both schools? No way. Think about it. Both schools get ample pre-game, since they are the only game on in that time slot. Both schools get advertisements on national television for over 3 hours. It rarely happens for the rest of the season. Maybe that kid in Omaha will check out the ‘Noles and ‘Canes, and suddenly realize that the State of Florida is great place to play football. That lone recruit in a small town who has amazing hands, might not get the opportunity to check out the ‘Noles on ESPN or ABC regional, but with a Labor Day spectacular he might see something he likes and take an opportunity to consider one of the schools.

For FSU Athletic Director, the choice to shy away from an opening game with Miami was an easy one. He cited the 12-game schedule, and lack of open dates as the reason. However, he did leave open the possibility that A) FSU could be involved in the game with an opponent other than Miami and B) that both Miami & FSU have no interest in playing the game any later than the beginning of October.

So I ask, what’s the point? Aside from the fact that Miami cannot play the game in the scheduled slot next year, due to being contracted with Oklahoma on September 8, the game should be played on Labor Day. The exposure for both programs is priceless, the ACC gains respect by featuring two of its highest profile teams, and it gives both teams plenty of time to recover in the polls from a loss. Keep the game on Labor Day and continue to reap the benefits. Either that, or realize there are plenty of ACC teams on the cusp of being elite who would love to steal a few of those recruits away from both of you.