'Canes, 'Noles share begrudging respect

Moments before the University of Miami faced Florida State University in 1987, the year when this rivalry blossomed into a national event, the Hurricanes decided to stoke some emotion.

They used newspapers.

As FSU's Seminoles were introduced, the Hurricane players held up newspapers as if they were reading them, showing their mock indifference to the other team's presence.

The scene symbolizes what the Miami-Florida State rivalry - which renews today in the Orange Bowl in a game delayed a week by Hurricane Frances - has become.

The game is intense, but there is an absence of malice.

"I think it has always been a very clean rivalry," Miami coach Larry Coker said.

That's not always the case when Florida State plays Florida. Or the years Miami has faced Florida. Those rivalries have a sharper edge, both in the stands and on the sidelines.

"It would be hard for me to put my finger on why, but there is an entirely different attitude of the Florida State people when you play Florida and the University of Miami," Florida State coach Bobby Bowden said.

Said Hurricanes cornerback Antrel Rolle: "It's respect and bragging rights. There's not animosity. We both show great character and sportsmanship when the game is over."

Big Blue dilemma

One question remaining from Kentucky's 28-0 season-opening loss at Louisville was the lack of playing time for backup quarterback Andre Woodson, despite a 14-for-34 performance by starter Shane Boyd. "We got shut out in one game, and everybody thinks the backup quarterback is the answer," coach Rich Brooks said. "That's a standard deal."

Ross back in Black

Army opens its season at noon Saturday against Louisville, and the Black Knights have coach Bobby Ross at the helm. Ross, 67, hasn't coached since 2000.

He spent 15 years as a college coach, including stints with The Citadel (1973-77), Maryland (1982-86) and Georgia Tech (1987-91). His record was 94-76-2.

"I'm enjoying it here and I'm enjoying these players," he said. "The wild-eyed excitement they show is fun to me. They feel like they have something to prove."