How long has it been since we felt this way about Miami and Florida State at the same time?
We have an exact date. On Sept. 10, 2004 , No. 5 Miami made its ACC debut against No. 4 Florida State in Week 1. The Hurricanes won 16-10, and the broad-band assumption at the time was the rivalry that defined the 1990s would carry the ACC through the Bowl Championship Series and beyond.
That didn't happen. Miami has yet to win an ACC championship. The Hurricanes and Seminoles have not won 10 games in the same season since 2004. Clemson emerged as the ACC power in the College Football Playoff era.
Did a wet-and-wild weekend in Florida finally change that course? It might be time. Florida State beat No. 8 Alabama 31-17 on Saturday at a renovated Doak Campbell Stadium. No. 10 Miami defeated No. 6 Notre Dame 27-24 at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday.
The ACC went 3-3 against Power 4 opponents and Notre Dame in Week 1, and North Carolina – with new coach Bill Belichick – can make that a winning record against TCU on Labor Day. No. 4 Clemson lost 17-10 to No. 9 LSU, and that hurt, no question.
But the re-emergence of Miami and Florida State could have a more significant impact for the conference if this holds. These weren't just Week 1 victories. They were victories against Alabama and Notre Dame at the right time.
MORE: Week 1 overreactions for Alabama, Texas, Michigan
Miami beats Notre Dame again
In the final minutes of the third quarter, Miami's Dylan Day received an unnecessary roughness penalty for participating with his helmet off while in a pile-up that was driving Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love away from the goal line.
That is a tell-tale sign "The U" is working back to prominence. The Hurricanes extended their streak of home victories against Notre Dame to seven, and Mario Cristobal has a building block from last year's 10-win season. Carson Beck – a Georgia transfer who entered this season with a 24-3 record – finished 20 of 30 passing for 205 yards and two TDs. He established a connection with 5-foot-11 freshman Malachi Toney, who had six catches for 82 yards and a TD.
Cristobal offered a hint Beck would work out at the ACC Kickoff:
"We felt that what he does and does really well marries up to how we block it, what we call, the concepts that go with it, complemented with the running game and what we feel is a significantly improved defense," Cristobal told The Sporting News.
The offensive line – led by Francis Mauigoa -- held up against a tough Notre Dame defense, and the defense flustered Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr and limited Love to 33 yards. The Irish rallied to tie the score, but Carter Davis buried the game-winning 47-yard field goal with 1:04 remaining in the fourth quarter.
The Miami pass-rush closed the game when Akheem Mesidor and Reuben Bain Jr. combined for a sack on the final play.
"Look at the way Hard Rock is rocking," Cristobal said on the ABC telecast afterward. "Miami Hurricane football."
Florida State reverses course against Alabama
Florida State beat No. 8 Alabama 31-17. It was revenge for the CFB snub when the Seminoles went 13-0 in 2023 but were left out in favor of the one-loss Crimson Tide. It was a reversal from the dreadful 2-10 season in 2024. It was everything.
"Welcome back to Doak Campbell Stadium," Norvell said afterward. "It was incredible."
Florida State walked the walk. Thomas Castellanos – a Boston College transfer quarterback – said "Nick Saban can't save them" in the summer, and now it's a T-shirt. Castellanos passed for 152 yards, rushed for 78 yards and the Seminoles rolled up 236 rushing yards and cast the entire Kalen DeBoer era at Alabama in doubt. It was one of the most shocking moments in Week 1.
It went beyond that. Doak sounded like Doak again. Florida State's defense limited the Crimson Tide to 87 rushing yards. Florida State looked like a team that could win the ACC and make the College Football Playoff again – which hasn't happened since 2014.
Will Miami, Florida State build on the momentum?
Miami and Florida State's victories are perception-builders for the ACC, of course, and if both schools stay in the College Football Playoff race it will only increase visibility for the conference. It will be even better if both teams are ranked when they play on Oct. 4.
It has to carry over momentum through recruiting with elite players from Florida. According to 247Sports.com, Florida has produced 23 five-star recruits from 2022-25.
Guess how many chose Miami or Florida State? The answer is two. Hykeem Williams – Florida State's lone in-state five star in that stretch – transferred to Colorado.
Miami's lone five star is tackle Francis Mauigoa – and he dominated at tackle Sunday and could be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Sporting News released the list of the 19 greatest Miami Hurricanes of all time this week.
Most of those players are from Florida. That is always the path to dominance.
Florida five-star recruits by school (2022-24)
| SCHOOL | RECRUITS |
| Alabama | 6 |
| Georgia | 4 |
| Ohio State | 2 |
| Oklahoma | 2 |
| Clemson | 2 |
| Texas A&M | 2 |
| Colorado | 1 |
| Miami | 1 |
| Florida State | 1 |
| Texas | 1 |
| LSU | 1 |
Jeremiah Smith went to Ohio State. Jordan Seaton went to Colorado. CJ Baxter went to Texas. This isn't complicated. Imagine if those players stayed in Florida. Florida State does have a commitment from five-star cornerback Chauncey Kennon from the 2026 class.
In that regard, both victories are huge. Alabama has taken six five-star recruits from Florida from 2022-25, the most of any school. Georgia is second with four – and Miami beat Notre Dame with Beck, a Georgia transfer. Those messages will be heard. If Miami and Florida State really do put it together, then we can say what we have wanted to say for 21 years.
It's about time.