1) 1987- (3) Miami 26 (4) Florida State 25
The 1987 meeting between Miami and Florida State was the first time the programs met being ranked in the top 10, let alone the top five. It was the sixth time in seven seasons the Hurricanes and Seminoles played as ranked teams. Florida State took a seemingly commanding 19-3 lead with one minute left in the third quarter.
Miami QB Steve Walsh threw a 49 yard TD pass to running back Melvin Bratton with under a minute remaining in the third quarter. A successful two-point conversion brought Miami within one score at 19-11. The Seminoles had a foreshadowing of what was to come in the nearly next two decades.
Florida State kicker Derek Schmidt missed a 31-yard field goal with 6:17 remaining in the fourth quarter that would have given the Seminoles an 11 point lead. Miami took advantage when Walsh connected with the playmaker, junior wide receiver Michael Irvin on a 26-yard TD pass to get Miami within two points.
The conversion try was successful and tied the game at 19. Florida State drove to the Miami 11 and seemed poised to take the lead. Seminoles QB Danny McManus fumbled the snap and Miami All-American safety Bennie Blades recovered with about three minutes remaining. The Hurricanes still had a long way to go.