Two Miami football teams named in top 6 not to win national championship

The 2000 and 2002 Miami football teams were named two of the best to not win a national championship by Bill Bender of The Sporting News. Both the 2000 and 2002 Hurricanes were denied national championships because of controversy. The 2000 Miami team finished 0.32 points behind Florida State in the BCS standings.

The Miami football team defeated the Seminoles in 2000 ending a five-game losing streak to them and starting their own six-game winning streak against their arch-rivals. The victory over Florida State was the third in a row in 2000 for Miami after losing the second game of the season to Washington.

Miami defeated West Virginia 47-10 the week following the loss to Washington to begin a 34 game winning streak that did not end until a loss to Ohio State in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl. The 2000 season began the return to prominence for the Miami football program. The Hurricanes ended the season with an 11-1 record.

Following a 37-20 victory over Florida in the Sugar Bowl Miami needed a Florida State victory over Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl to win the National Championship. The Seminoles lost 13-2 to the Sooners and Miami ended the season ranked second. Butch Davis left to become the head coach of the Cleveland Browns.

"#6 Miami (2000)Record: 11-1Points for/against: 42.2 (3rd), 15.8 (7th)All-Americans: Joaquin Gonzalez, Bryant McKinnie, Dan Morgan, Ed Reed, Santana MossThat year’s champion: OklahomaWhat could have been: An early-season loss to Washington (which finished the season ranked No. 3) kept this loaded Butch Davis team out of the BCS championship game, despite beating No. 1 Florida State and No. 2 Virginia Tech during the season.In a four-team playoff, this team might have easily won it all given all Miami’s NFL talent. The Hurricanes had to settle for a 37-20 victory over No. 7 Florida in the Sugar Bowl."

The Miami football team was motivated in 2000 by missing out of the Orange Bowl and a chance to win the National Championship for the 2001 season. The Hurricanes went 12-0 defeating Nebraska 37-14 in a game that was not that close. The 2001 team is considered the best team in the history of college football.

Miami seemed destined to repeat the title in 2002. The Hurricanes were a 12 point favorite against Ohio State. An severe knee injury to Hurricanes leading rusher Willis McGahee ended his night against the Buckeyes. Miami needed a Todd Sievers field goal on the last play of regulation to force overtime.

Miami appeared to have won the game when a fourth down pass by Ohio State was incomplete. Legendary announcer Keith Jackson stated on the broadcast hold the phone after a controversial flag was thrown for pass interference about five seconds after the play was over. Ohio State went on to win in double overtime.

"#2 Miami (2002)Record: 12-1Points for/against: 40.5 (4th), 19.1 (22nd)All-Americans: QB Ken Dorsey, RB Willis McGahee, C Brett Romberg, DT Jerome McDougleThat year’s champion: Ohio StateWhat could have been: The Hurricanes had a 34-game win streak before a 31-24 double-overtime loss to Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl. How loaded was this team? Kellen Winslow II and Sean Taylor weren’t All-Americans.The Hurricanes had two Heisman Trophy finalists in Dorsey and McGahee under coach Larry Coker, and you still wonder might have happened had McGahee not suffered a game-ending injury against the Buckeyes."

The loss to Ohio State was the end of an era for Miami. The run to the the Fiesta Bowl against the Buckeyes ended a three-year run which Miami went 34-2, yet only won the 2001 National Championship. Miami has not been close to a National Championship since. Only the 2017 team has won 10 games since then.

Bender only chose teams from the BCS and College Football Playoff eras. Going further back, Miami teams in 1985, ’86, ’88 and ’92 could also be considered among the greatest teams not to win a National Championship. In each of those seasons, Miami was one win away from winning National Championships.