It is safe to say no opposing coach frequented the old, proud Orange Bowl more often than Bobby Bowden -- 24 times in all, counting once with West Virginia, two as an assistant coach and five Orange Bowl games.

''It's going to seem funny, not going to that dressing room and not coming out of that [north] tunnel,'' Florida State's venerable coach reflected.

It also is reasonable to suggest no coach ever saw more heartbreak there. Among his 13 losses were two of his four ''Wide Right'' losses to Miami, the 2002 ''Wide Left'' and plenty more antacid moments.

Forgive him, then, if he doesn't miss the joint.

''That dadgum Orange Bowl was tough, boy,'' Bowden said. "I'm kind of glad we're not going back there.''

In a way, Saturday's clash lays out a new chapter in the annals of the Hurricanes and Seminoles -- new Dolphin Stadium venue, two programs rising from painful downturns, two quarterbacks staring down the ''U'' and speared helmets across the line.

At its heart, though, it's still Miami-FSU.

'People talk about the 'it' factor. Florida State-Miami has the 'it' factor,'' said Robert Marve, who steps into the crucible for the first time as UM quarterback.

``I don't care if you are a fifth-year senior. It's special to play Miami-Florida State. People really need to notice that. This is a special game.''

GAME FOR THE FANS

Certainly, the rivalry has lost little of its luster in these parts, as stories are retold of Wide Rights and botched field-goal snaps, Bubba McDowell's knockdown and Jim Burt's deflection.

''I think all the fans really look forward to a game like this,'' said FSU quarterback Christian Ponder, whose father played on some of Bowden's early Seminoles teams.

Said UM linebacker Colin McCarthy: ``Even if it's not as amped up big as it always is, the players still have that feeling. They know it's special.''

After a remarkable 30-year rivalry run that found at least one team ranked entering the contest -- 22 in which both were -- this marks the second encounter in a row with both on the outside.

However, it stands to provide a benchmark on how far each team has come since scraping bottom last winter -- UM from a 5-7 season and FSU at 7-6 with the equivalent of two entire units suspended from the Music City Bowl.

''Both teams [appear] in about the same place,'' Bowden said. ``It's an interesting race. This game will tell a lot between our two schools.''

The Hurricanes (2-2) seek redemption from the sting of last week's 28-24 loss to North Carolina -- a game that turned from apparent victory to flash defeat when Trimane Goddard snatched the ball from the fingers of UM's Kayne Farquharson in the back of the end zone.

It was the first time since 1984 that a UM team had blown a double-digit lead at home during the final quarter -- having converted their previous 111 situations.

''We had an opportunity to win but didn't,'' UM coach Randy Shannon said. ``We have to keep going on. We have to get guys to make plays in key situations late in the game.''

The Hurricanes, though, were able to glean a positive with the way Marve led the team back downfield after the Tar Heels took the lead with 46 seconds left.

''He seems pretty poised,'' FSU defensive end Neefy Moffitt said.

UM also will have to overcome continuing injury woes after Friday's announcement that McCarthy is idled by a shoulder injury. He is the fourth key performer ruled out, along with tailback Javarris James (ankle), safety Randy Phillips (knee) and tackle Reggie Youngblood (leg).

NEW-LOOK NOLES?

Florida State (3-1) hopes to bring a different offensive look to Dolphin Stadium -- one built on balance after grinding out 259 rushing yards in beating Colorado.

Antone Smith ran for three touchdowns in that contest, and his 154 yards were two off his career high.

''We don't know as a defense what we're going to get,'' Shannon said. ``You want to say it's kind of like a feel-your-way-through-it game, but it's not because it's Florida State-Miami.''

Shannon knows too well what kind of surprises UM-FSU can bring. Not only was he unbeaten against FSU as a player, but a sudden reversal of fortune last season gave him victory in his first matchup as a head coach.

Kirby Freeman, who had completed just one pass after taking over for an injured Kyle Wright, suddenly hit three in an 83-yard drive that ended with a 13-yard touchdown toss to Dedrick Epps with 1:15 left.

On FSU's next snap, Xavier Lee fumbled while hit by Teraz McCray. McCarthy scooped it up for a 27-yard touchdown to cap a 37-29 stunner.

Several Seminoles winced when reminded this week about that turn of events.

''One [moment] we were winning, then the next thing I know I look at that scoreboard and we're losing the game,'' linebacker Dekoda Watson said. ``That stuck with me a long time. To this day, I still can't say how we lost that game.''

Those kinds of fantastic finishes were staples at the Orange Bowl. It remains to be seen whether the Hurricanes brought the hex with them to their new home.

Miami Herald sportswriter Manny Navarro contributed to this report.

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