What would give the Hurricanes the advantage over the Cornhuskers in a virtual matchup is that Nebraska is a one-dimensional team offensively. Stopping the Nebraska ground game is not as easy as focusing on a team that had 71.87 percent of their yards on the ground. Nebraska ran for 399.8 yards per game in 1995.
Nebraska threw the football better than a triple-option offense. The Cornhuskers threw for an average of 156.5 yards per game in 1995. If any defense would be able to make Nebraska one dimensional it would be the 2001 Miami football team. Miami was strong up the middle of their defense and had help to stop the run.
Miami Hurricanes Football
William Joseph and Matt Walters at defensive tackle, Jonathan Vilma and D.J. Williams at linebacker and safeties Ed Reed and James Lewis would be able to stop the Nebraska option I offense. The Miami defense had 21 players eventually drafted. Philip Buchanon and Mike Rumph at cornerback would support the run.
The 2001 Miami football team was nearly impenetrable. The Hurricanes allowed 132.7 rushing yards per game on 3.1 yards per carry. Want to throw the football against the 2001 Miami defense? The Hurricanes allowed opponents to complete 44.5 percent of their passes for 138.2 yards per game.
On the bracket, Miami pummeled 15th seeded 1992 Alabama to get virtual revenge on the Crimson Tide for their victory over Miami in the 1993 Sugar Bowl that decided the National Championship. In the fans voting the Hurricanes inexplicably received only 80 percent of the vote. Yahoo summarized the matchup.
"2001 Miami vs. 1992 Alabama No. 2: 2001 Miami 12-0, beat Nebraska in Rose Bowl. Perhaps the greatest assembly of talent in college football history, the 2001 Miami Hurricanes featured 17 future first-round NFL draft choices and 38 draftees in all and beat opponents by nearly 33 points per game. No. 15: 1992 Alabama 13-0, beat Miami in Sugar Bowl. Alabama reached the Sugar Bowl in Gene Stallings’ third season by winning the first-ever SEC championship game 28-21 over Florida. That cost UF a chance at a national title."