GAME NOTES: The first week of the college football season closes out on Labor Day, as a Sunshine State showdown pits ACC rivals Miami and Florida State against one another in Tallahassee.

Bobby Bowden's Seminoles are once again a favorite to win the ACC crown this year, after coming off a nine-win season in 2008, that saw the team go 5-3 in- conference. The regular season didn't end particularly well with a 45-15 whipping at the hands of eventual national champion Florida, but the Seminoles did end the year on a good note, completely dominating Wisconsin in the Champs Sports Bowl (42-13).

Randy Shannon was forced to play a lot of freshmen in his second season at the helm in Miami and although the youth presented a challenge, the team showed signs of returning among the conference elite, winning seven games overall, with a five-game win streak at one point that included a 16-14 upset of eventual ACC champion Virginia Tech. The Hurricanes earned a spot in the Emerald Bowl against California, but came out on the short end of a 24-17 decision against the Golden Bears.

Miami holds a 30-23 series advantage over Florida State. Since joining the ACC in 2004 however, FSU holds a slim 3-2 edge, including a memorable 41-39 shootout victory last year in Miami.

The Hurricanes had a pair of young quarterbacks lead the way last year and the results were mixed to say the least. With the transfer of Robert Marve, the offense will be all sophomore Jacory Harris' to run. Harris started two games last year and played well overall, completing over 60 percent of his passes in limited action. With the team's top two tailbacks and top four receivers returning to the mix, the sky is the limit for Harris in terms of production in 2009.

His health however, is a must early on, as depth behind him is sparse, with the departure of both youngsters Taylor Cook and Cannon Smith, who have ben granted their release from the program.

Junior tailback Graig Cooper is a back after he led the team in rushing last season, averaging nearly five yards per carry. He will be aided in the ground game by Javarris James, who missed a good portion of the season due to injury.

The receiving corps is young but talented, highlighted by sophomores Aldarius Johnson, Thearon Collier, Travis Benjamin and LaRon Byrd. The 6-2 Johnson led the team in receptions in 2008 (31), while Benjamin (18 receptions, three TDs) earned Freshman All-American honors. Junior Leonard Hankerson is the elder statesman in the receiving corps and could be a valuable contributor as well.

The offensive line must replace two starters from 2008, but should be improved nonetheless. The strength of the unit may be inside with mammoth guards Orlando Franklin (6-7, 334) and Joel Figueroa (6-5, 335), while senior Jason Fox has all-conference talent.

The Miami defense is still making strides in terms of returning to the feared unit that terrorized opponents just a few years ago. With eight starters back from last season, there is a good chance that this defense will continue to improve.

Up front the Hurricanes will look to players like sophomore DE Marcus Robinson (35 tackles, four sacks) and junior DT Allen Bailey (36 tackles, five sacks) to lead the charge. They will get help from a healthy Eric Moncur (6-2, 255), who was awarded another year of eligibility.

The linebacking unit will be highlighted by sophomore Sean Spence (82 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, two sacks) and senior Darryl Sharpton (66 tackles).

Strong play in the secondary has been a staple at Miami and this year should be no different, with six players returning with starting experience and converted WR Sam Shields joining the group. Shields is the fastest player on the roster, timed at 4.2 seconds in the forty and was Miami's Special Teams Player of the Year in 2008.

A potent ground game fueled the FSU offensive attack in 2008 as the team netted just over 179 yards per game rushing on nearly five yards per carry. However, a more balanced attack is what Bowden would like to see in 2009 and the maturity level of junior signal-caller Christian Ponder could go a long way in making that a reality. Ponder, who completed 55.7 percent of his passes last year, for just over 2,000 yards, did struggle with his accuracy at times, throwing 14 TD passes against 13 interceptions. Bowden doesn't seem to be concerned with the QB position this year.

"I feel good about him (Ponder). He started 13 games last year, he's big, strong and smart as a whip. The kid started last year as a sophomore and had graduated. This year he'll have his master's degree. So he is very intelligent and he's very physical. I fell as though he is ready to trot."

Gone are veteran receivers like Gregg Carr and Preston Parker on the outside, but the hope is that the experience gained by speedsters Taiwan Easterling and Bert Reed as freshmen, will pay off in their sophomore seasons.

The ground game will probably take a step back in terms of production, as TD- maker Antone Smith (4.5 ypc, 15 TDs) has moved on. However, sophomore Jermaine Thomas showed flashes of brilliance as a freshman, averaging 7.0 yards per carry in limited action and is poised to handle a much more expanded role this season.

The return of all five starters along the offensive line will undoubtedly help in both running and passing situations and this group has the ability to be among the conference's best, highlighted by sophomores Andrew Datko (Freshman All-American in 2008) and Zebrie Sanders at the tackle positions and junior Rodney Hudson (First-Team All-ACC in 2008) at left guard.

The Seminole defense returned to prominence in 2008, as one of the most athletic and stingy units in the nation. The team held foes under 300 yards of total offense (294.9) and was especially tough against the pass, yielding just 162.4 yards through the air. The bad news is that a lot of the squad's leaders have moved on, as only five starters return on this side of the football. Every area of the defense was hit hard.

The hope is that players like senior LB Dekoda Watson (46 tackles, 8.0 TFLs) will step up and take on a leadership role. Bowden has a ton of confidence in Watson.

"The guy runs a 4.3 forty. That's enough said. The guy can fly, he's 230 pounds. He's a veteran and he loves to play the game."

Senior end Markus White (4.5 TFLs, one sack) will be called upon to do the same up front.

The secondary may be the most seasoned group with three seniors, in safeties Jamie Robinson and Korey Magnum and cornerback Patrick Robinson.

Both these teams are young and hungry and no one has to motivate either sideline for this one. One of the best rivalries in college football should provide plenty of entertainment on Labor Day. In the end however, it is the Seminoles that are closer to returning to the top of the conference. Miami won't go down without a fight, but the early season tussle should have FSU coming out on top.