ShareThisBy DEREK REDD
If there's one thing the annual Florida State-Miami clash generates, it's talk.
It fills newspapers, dominates airwaves and bombards message boards.
Most of the talk this year emanates from Miami. These players are suspended. Those players are hurt. And does that really read that they'll play the punter at wide receiver?
As Florida State's players prepare for this Labor Day battle, they must use a discerning ear. Hearing the talk is a given. With a game of this magnitude, it's unavoidable. The Seminoles have to figure out what they'll listen to and what they'll ignore.
While some players may claim they don't pay attention to the chatter surrounding their opponents, sophomore cornerback Tony Carter said some players listen to it more than they let on.
"You listen to it because, as a player, you want to know what's going on with the other team," he said. "No matter what a person says _ 'I don't care what's going on with that team' _ as a player you're going to listen to it. You're kind of curious yourself."
And there's been more than enough to pique the Seminoles' curiosity. First they heard that four players, including starting running back Tyrone Moss and starting wide receiver Ryan Moore, would be suspended for Monday's game. Then they heard Moore's suspension went from two games to indefinite.
Then came the injuries at running back that have affected the Hurricanes throughout fall practices. And the youth on the offensive line, with a sophomore starting at left tackle and a true freshman possibly starting at right tackle. And the fact that Miami punter Brian Monroe likely will see time at wide receiver due to injuries in the receiving corps.
But don't count all that as negative just yet, Carter said.
"He's a punter, but they don't have him out there for no reason," Carter said. "If they're going to put him out there, I'm sure he's capable of getting the job done."
There's where the Seminoles say they have to be judicious in analyzing all that talk, especially against a team like Miami. Quarterback Drew Weatherford said injuries and suspensions might have juggled Miami's lineup, but that doesn't mean the Hurricanes will be at a gross disadvantage.
"Especially not with a team like Miami," Weatherford said, "because they've got guys waiting for an opportunity to make their name, and are very talented. They may be green and they may be young, but they're very talented or they wouldn't be there. We have to be just as worried about the guy who's backing up Ryan Moore as we do Ryan Moore himself."
If the Seminoles do pay attention to what's being said around the state, they do keep an ear open to news of Miami's attitude. These issues could break a team or help build its momentum. Weatherford said FSU won't find out which way Miami falls until Monday, but he knows what adversity can do.
"A lot of times it gives people a chip on their shoulder," he said. "A lot of times it gives kids fire and makes them play harder. They feel like they have something to prove. They have people to play for. If anything, I feel it'll give them a little chip on their shoulder and help them play with a little more enthusiasm."
With a few days to go until the Noles and Canes line up, there could be even more chatter and conjecture on the lips of fans of both teams. It may go from their lips to the players' ears, but, as FSU offensive lineman John Frady said, it's easy to keep things in perspective.
"There's still a little 'U' on the side of their helmets, isn't there?" he asked. "They're going to be good then."
