Miami football at center of College football alternate reality
The Miami football program has been at the center of some of the greatest what if’s and controversies in the history of college football. In a recent article about a college football alternative reality, the Hurricanes were mentioned multiple times in an ESPN article.
Nearly 18 seasons after appearing in their last National Championship game the Miami football program remains polarizing. The Hurricanes have been at the center of some of the most controversial calls, decisions and outcomes in the history of college football. Some might have set Miami to a college football alternate universe.
After a few good seasons under Howard Schnellenberger, the Miami football team finished the 1983 season with 11 straight wins after losing their season opener to Florida. Miami entered the 1984 Orange Bowl as a 10.5 point underdog to a Nebraska team many were proclaiming the best ever.
Miami had a 17-0 lead at the end of the third quarter. Nebraska rallied and tied the game early in the second half. The Hurricanes surged ahead to regain a 31-17 lead after short touchdown runs by Alonzo Highsmith and Albert Bentley. The game was reminiscent of the NFL playoff game between the Dolphins and Chargers in 1982.
This time Miami got off to the big lead before Nebraska rallied. Two years to the day earlier, San Diego took a 24-0 lead before Miami rallied in what some still consider the greatest game in NFL History. The Chargers eventually won 41-38 in overtime in an NFL Division Playoff game. The Orange Bowl had more on the line.
"“Ryan McGee: I will never question Tom Osborne’s desire to win the 1984 Orange Bowl instead of tying. In fact, going for two and losing to Miami was the fuel that powered the Huskers into what they became for the next decade-plus. BUT … they totally would have won the title if they had kicked the PAT.”"
McGee’s recollection of the 1984 Orange Bowl was part of an
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College football’s alternate realities: Biggest ‘What Ifs’ from classic games.”
The 1984 Orange Bowl was not the last time Miami is mentioned in the article. Some of the Hurricanes’ greatest triumphs and defeats are included.
"Chris Low: What if referee Terry Porter doesn’t throw the controversial fourth-down penalty flag in overtime for pass interference in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl (after about a 3-second delay, as Miami fans will gladly remind you)?Miami would have won its second straight national championship to cap the 2002 season with the Fiesta Bowl win over Ohio State, meaning the Hurricanes would remain the last FBS team to win back-to-back national championships and go unbeaten both seasons.They went 12-0 in the 2001 national title season and had won 34 straight games prior to that 31-24 double-overtime setback to the Buckeyes.”"
The 2003 Fiesta Bowl or 1988 loss at Notre Dame is the most painful in Miami football history. Both occurred because of questionable calls by the referees. Miami’s victory in Wide Right I over Florida State had it’s own what if’s. What if the field goal was good. Ivan Maisel of ESPN had his own view.
"Ivan Maisel: Florida State began the 1991 season ranked No. 1 and for seven weeks looked every bit like one of the best teams in modern memory. In consecutive weeks, the Seminoles set a Big House scoring record by thrashing No. 3 Michigan 51-31, then embarrassed No. 10 Syracuse 46-14.It looked as if this would be the season that Florida State upended cross-state rival Miami and won Seminoles coach Bobby Bowden his first national championship. But in Week 8, Florida State played at LSU in a rainy, muddy Death Valley. Florida State won 27-16, coming back from 13 points down, but lost the war.Seven Seminoles suffered serious injuries, including three shoulder separations and two knee sprains. Florida State was never the same team. The Seminoles finished the season by losing to Miami 17-16 in Wide Right I. What if the Seminoles had been healthy?”"
Next. Miami continued dominant 2003 NFL Draft post Fiesta Bowl. dark
While the outcome might have been different when a Florida State Miami game matters the Hurricanes usually have prevailed. Miami is 11-4 when playing Florida State when both teams are ranked inside the top 10. The Hurricanes went on to defeat Nebraska 22-0 in the Orange Bowl for the fourth national title.