Their small, sleepy southern city may feel like the centre of the world this week as America's electoral uncertainty deepens. But the residents of Tallahassee have their minds elsewhere as the weekend approaches.
Walk into a shop, inquire about 'the latest' and you are presented with a betting line. 'We're 12 points ahead,' said Monroe Street clothier Jim Schalow. It that for Bush or Gore? 'It's the Seminoles . . . get your priorities right,' Mr Schalow said.
The Seminoles is the American football team of Florida State University, which plays at a giant 80,000-seat stadium on the edge of town. On Saturday, they host the Gators, the team from the rival University of Florida in Gainesville, in the national championship.
The Seminoles are clearly popular, with many businesses named after the team. There is Seminoles Pizza, Seminoles Cleaners and the Seminoles Deli. College football is virtually a religion in the southern US and the game is Florida's biggest of the year, and certainly the biggest annual event in Tallahassee.
'You think you've seen something this week? Well you ain't seen anything yet,' Mr Schalow added. 'It is quite a party.'
About 100,000 visitors are expected to converge on the city, many having booked rooms a year in advance. Hulking football types have already started to arrive, taking over the television remotes in coffee shops and bars, ensuring the political news shows are dumped in favour of sports channels.
