SportsNation Blog Archives
Miami (FL) Hurricanes
Tobacco Road or Iron Bowl?
Alabama's championship makes it three in a row for the state. But is Alabama's football better than North Carolina's basketball, including 11 titles between Duke, North Carolina and NC State?
What is college football's all-time flagship program?
Alabama's second national championship in the past three seasons makes it the program of the moment, and there is plenty of history beyond that in Tuscaloosa. But is Alabama the all-time No. 1? Below you'll find the 10 programs with the most all-time wins, along with five other programs that won national titles in the BCS era.
Greatest football programs
Alabama
Alabama
813 wins
Auburn
Auburn
703 wins
Florida
Florida
654 wins
Florida State
Florida State
459 wins
LSU
LSU
711 wins
Miami
Miami
552 wins
Michigan
Michigan
895 wins
Nebraska
Nebraska
832 wins
Notre Dame
Notre Dame
837 wins
Ohio State
Ohio State
797 wins
Oklahoma
Oklahoma
802 wins
Penn State
Penn State
811 wins
Tennessee
Tennessee
773 wins
Texas
Texas
845 wins
USC
USC
761 wins
You might think fans of the University of Miami would be keeping a low profile these days, especially with news of NCAA suspensions for a number of key players. But it appears at least some Hurricanes fans are becoming rather vocal in their displeasure about the Miami Dolphins honoring the 2008 Florida Gators football team at Sun Life Stadium, which also happens to be the home field of the Hurricanes. This is why timeshares never work. More: Vote on NCAA sanctions.
- "I can't stand Miami and know they're in deep trouble with the NCAA, but this is not a good way for the Dolphins to handle the situation. Heck, it's not like Florida won the most recent BCS anyway. Poor PR." -- SN commenter brave21hawk
- "I have to laugh at all the "Canes fans" who are whining about this. The reason for the reunion is becuase 1) Tim Tebow will be in town and 2) this is the field that the Gators won their last national championship on. The "Canes fans" need to stop whining about this issue and worry more about the what is going on with their team." -- SN commenter MikeNFtl
Did the Dolphins cross the line?
The Dolphins said they're just looking to boost sluggish ticket sales by attracting Gators fans, but does that trump home turf?
The sound of one hand clapping?
With Tim Tebow's Broncos in town for the game in question, there are sure to be some Gators fans in attendance. But will there be enough?
The Sunshine State's team?
Florida, Florida State and Miami all own multiple national championships, but does one stand out above the rest as the state's team?
The latest ethics scandal to hit college football may result in the gutting of one of its most storied programs. Nevin Shapiro, a former Miami booster currently serving a 20-year sentence for running a $930 million Ponzi scheme, claimed that he provided benefits to 72 Miami athletes, primarily college football players, between 2002 and 2010. The benefits supposedly ranged from the mundane, like cars or jewelry, to the much more serious, such as sex parties or payment for an abortion. The allegations are so severe that Miami could be faced with the so-called death penalty -- a ban on competing at all for a year or more. Shapiro may be the root cause of this scandal, but how much did Miami itself know about his illicit activities?
- "Forget Miami, what will happen if the NCAA actually investigates the SEC? Sounds like this is just the tip of the iceberg and Shapiro has nothing on the boosters from other conferences. He may be a convicted felon, but I believe that he is far from the only person that gives money and gifts to athletes." -- SN commenter bad2dagame
- "I would hate to see Miami get punished "SMU-style" from this loser spilling the alleged beans." -- SN commenter Scott33715
- "Death penalty is just too harsh in my opinion. This is one of the most storied/successful programs in college football history, also an NFL player factory." -- SN commenter FormulaOner
Is the death penalty in the works?
Southern Methodist University earned the death penalty in the mid-80s for paying players out of a slush fund set up by a booster. Their 1987 season and all 1988 home games were canceled. The program has never recovered.
A bounty on QBs?
One of the most shocking allegations in Shapiro's story is the claim that he offered a $5,000 bounty if Miami players knocked former Florida State QB Chris Rix out of the game.
What do you make of boosters?
Boosters seem to be an entrenched part of college football, but do they do more harm than good?
Is Miami still elite?
Miami hasn't won a bowl game since the MPC Computers Bowl in 2006. Is this the last gasp of an elite program, or have the Hurricanes long since fallen from glory?
Vote: Notre Dame vs. Miami
1. Which coaching gig is better?
2. Would you rather rebuild with Brian Kelly or Al Golden?
3. What does Jacory Harris' future look like?
4. Is renewing this rivalry still a big deal?
5. Which team will win in El Paso, Texas?
Vote: Hyundai Sun Bowl
Vote: No. 20 South Carolina vs. No. 23 Florida State
1. Do Steve Spurrier's Florida ties matter?
2. Which quarterback is better when healthy?
3. Who is South Carolina's real offensive star?
4. Which program has a tougher life?
5. Which team will win in Atlanta?
Vote: Chick-fil-A Bowl (Dec. 31, ESPN/ESPN3, 7:30 ET)
Vote: No. 16 Alabama vs. No. 9 Michigan State
1. Which roster has more overall talent?
2. Which quarterback has the edge?
3. Just how good is Mark Ingram this season?
4. Is Alabama Nick Saban's last job?
5. Which team will win in Orlando?
Vote: Capital One Bowl (Jan. 1, ESPN/ESPN3, 1 ET)
Vote: Florida vs. Penn State
1. Will Joe Paterno be coaching in 2012?
2. How tough will replacing Paterno be?
3. Is Robert Bolden the QB of the future?
4. Will the Gators be motivated?
5. Which team will win in Tampa?
Vote: Outback Bowl (Jan. 1, ABC, 1 ET)
Vote: No. 11 LSU vs. No. 17 Texas A&M
1. Will LSU be motivated to play in a non-BCS game?
2. Is there a better job for Mike Sherman?
3. Which high-profile QB was a bigger disappointment?
4. Will LSU be able to run the ball?
5. Which team will win in Dallas?
Vote: Cotton Bowl
- Vote: Is Will Muschamp the right coach for Florida? | Can Miami regain swagger?
- Rank 'Em: Where do the state of Florida's legendary coaches rank all time?
Jimbo Fisher is now the longest-tenured head coach among Florida's four most notable football programs, with about a week's lead on South Florida coach Skip Holtz. Let that last sentence sink in for a few seconds.
Legendary names like Bobby Bowden, Jimmy Johnson, Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer? Not anymore in the Sunshine State. With the arrivals of Will Muschamp and Al Golden, one of the biggest football hotbeds in the nation is entering uncharted waters when it comes to the men in charge of Florida, Florida State, Miami and South Florida.
All told, the four coaches in question combined to lose 20 games this season, counting the seven losses Texas suffered with Muschamp as defensive coordinator. But which one will fare best moving forward?
Todd (AA)
Who is [Michigan's] coach next year? Wouldn't Harbaugh be better off staying at Stanford or going to Michigan? In the NFL even the best coaches get fired after around 10 years. He could stay in AA for 25 years.
Bruce Feldman
Had heard he's always been intrigued by the NFL, but would returning to the alma mater be his ideal. He has more options than probably any D1 coach out there because he has an NFL ready system, his age, his background. ... Just a hunch, but I'd be surprised if he's back at Stanford for the 2011 season. Full transcript
3. Does Erik Spoelstra even have the toughest job in town?
The Heat beat the Wizards! All is right with the world. All right, so the Wizards didn't have John Wall. Erik Spoelstra will take what he can get. But does Spoelstra face more unrealistic expectations than whoever succeeds Randy Shannon as coach of a Miami Hurricanes football program living on past glory? Shannon firing PollCenter.
- "So Miami beats a hapless Washington team that is 0-8 on the road and playing without their best young player and now supposedly everything is all good? Give me a break. I will repeat the only noteworthy stat here: Miami is 1-6 against good teams." -- SN chatter BJLevine
Game 1: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 1 Alabama at No. 19 South Carolina
- Will Nick Saban have a greater gridiron legacy than Steve Spurrier?
- Is Alabama's defense even better than last season?
- Vote on those and other questions about Alabama at South Carolina!
BB (Carolina)
How do you see Bama/SC playing out?
Pat Forde
BB: Nick Saban is the best coach I've seen at getting his teams to play at a consistent level regardless of opponent -- but I still expect a little letdown from the Tide after that Florida game. And South Carolina has had an extra week to prepare. Bottom line: Think that game will be close for a while. Maybe even a long while. But Bama will win. Full transcript
Game 2: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 17 Michigan State at No. 18 Michigan
- How many yards will Denard Robinson gain on the ground?
- How hot is the "Paul Bunyan's Axe" rivalry?
- Vote on those and other questions about Michigan State at Michigan!
Greg Jones (East Lansing)
I keep hearing all this talk about about D-Rob and how good the Michigan offense is, but I'm the best linebacker in the big ten. What do I gotta do to shut everybody up?
Adam Rittenberg
Prevent the explosion plays, Greg. Robinson is going to get his yards, but he can't get the runs of 50 yards or more where no one can catch him. You need to continue to take great angles to the football and wrap up. You're fast enough to keep Robinson in check near the line. But if he gets in the open field, no one is catching him. Full transcript
Game 3: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 12 LSU at No. 14 Florida
- Would LSU be better off without Les Miles?
- Is Florida freshman Trey Burton the real deal?
- Vote on those and other questions about LSU at Florida!
Don (Sugar Land)
Heard everybody input on LSU win vs Tenn except you. What do you think of Les Miles and what to do if he finishes 8-4 or 9-3 agian?
Ivan Maisel
I came up with the right analogy yesterday talking to Beano Cook on the phone (By the way, our newest podcast is up and awaiting your download). Les Miles should be called Coach Clouseau. He does everything wrong, and gets the right result. I'm just not sure if Steve Martin could master Miles' accent. Full transcript
Game 4: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 23 Florida State at No. 13 Miami
- Is Jacory Harris a better QB than Christian Ponder?
- Which team looked worse in a big game earlier this season?
- Vote on those and other questions about Florida State at Miami!
Chris (Boulder, CO)
Heather, Miami is reporting that there are less than 2000 tickets left for the big game on Saturday. Miami fans clearly think this is a bigger game than usual. Do you see this as the biggest game in Randy Shannon's tenure as head coach?
ACC blogger Heather Dinich
Hadn't thought of it like that, but now that you mention it, it probably is. He said the win at Clemson was one of the biggest for the program since he's been there. With each win, the next game only gets bigger. Full transcript
Game 5: SportsNation's burning questions for USC at No. 16 Stanford
- Is Matt Barkley a better NFL prospect than Andrew Luck?
- Was it better to be a USC fan or a Stanford fan over the last decade?
- Vote on those and other questions about USC at Stanford!
Matt (DC)
How long will JH stay at Stanford? Despite the loss he has clearly changed the culture in a very short time and I know UGA or LSU will be begging him to come
Mark Schlabach
I think Harbaugh is a future NFL coach if he leaves Stanford. I think he's there for a couple of years, but given his brother's success in NFL, I wouldn't be surprised to see him follow that career path. Full transcript
Game 1: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 18 Penn State at No. 1 Alabama
- Will Alabama miss Marcel Dareus more than Mark Ingram if the latter can't play?
- Who is the best coach out of Bear Bryant, Joe Paterno and Nick Saban?
- Vote on those and other questions about Penn State at Alabama!
Matt (Allentown, PA)
JoePa sounds more down on his team than he ever has when they were actually not that good. Do you think he might be bluffing and really think that Penn State has chance to be pretty good this year? I just do not believe when he says he does not have good leadership on the line. Wisniewski wasn't voted a captain, but he has to be leading those lineman.
Big Ten blogger Adam Rittenberg
Joe always sandbags a bit, especially before big games. He has done this for decades. I was pretty stunned that Stefen Wisniewski wasn't elected a captain, but I'm sure he's a good leader along that O-line. The group has to perform better, but leadership doesn't seem to be an issue. Full transcript
Game 2: SportsNation's burning questions for Michigan at Notre Dame
- Would you rather have Denard Robinson or Dayne Crist?
- Which program would you rather see regain gridiron prominence?
- Vote on those and other questions about Michigan at Notre Dame!
Curt (Indiana)
Mel, I think we'll get a better sense of both Notre Dame and Michigan this weekend. What do you think?
Mel Kiper
I think we got an indication of both teams being very improved. Notre Dame looking spirited. Better QB play from Crist. More sound fundamentally. For Michigan, Denard is the real deal. They are banged up. I liked the way Notre Dame played on paper, this is an evenly matched football game. This win will springboard the winner to an 8-9 win season. If Michigan can find a way to be 5-0 when they host Michigan State. Notre Dame plays at Michigan State and then Stanford. If they lose this game, they could be below .500 going into October. Full transcript
Game 3: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 17 Florida State at No. 10 Oklahoma
- Is Landry Jones as good as Christian Ponder at quarterback?
- Just how good a running back is Oklahoma's DeMarco Murray?
- Vote on those and other questions about Florida State at Oklahoma!
Chris J (Oklahoma City, Ok.)
Do you think Landry Jones just had an off game, or is he really not all he is hyped up to be?
Big 12 blogger David Ubben
I really think it was just an off game. He showed plenty of times last year that he's way, way more than competent. The two games he struggled were against some of the best defenses in America--and away from home. What would you expect from a freshman who's been starting for a month or two? Full transcript
Game 4: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 12 Miami at No. 2 Ohio State
- Is talk of the 2003 Fiesta Bowl really fueling the Hurricanes?
- Is Heisman hopeful Terrelle Pryor really that much better than Jacory Harris?
- Vote on those and other questions about Miami at Ohio State!
Looking for Options (Limbo)
Should ACC fans root for Miami and have to listen to their incessant arrogance but get a "stronger" conference? Or should we root against them and hopefully they will shut up about the U being back?
ACC blogger Heather Dinich
Hmm. Forget being a Miami fan or an ACC fan -- just being a college football fan I'd think you'd want the former national powerhouses -- Michigan and Notre Dame included -- to be "back" again for the sake of the sport. Full transcript
Game 5: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 7 Oregon at Tennessee
- Should Kenjon Barner get more carries than LaMichael James?
- Did Lane Kiffin or Jeremiah Masoli leave a program in a bigger lurch?
- Vote on those and other questions about Oregon at Tennessee!
Virginia (Charlotte)
How do you rate Oregon's senior Line Backers? Will the Duck's lack of beef on the D-line be a problem this weekend?
Mel Kiper
No, I don't think it will be. I like their defensive talent. They're challenge is replacing Ward in that secondary. He was arguably their best defensive player. I like their linebackers. This is a nice trip for them to go to SEC country and playing Tennessee. They have a developing star in Kenjon Barner, a sophomore do-it-all in the backfield. Great return man. He'll be one of the best players on the field. Full transcript
Game 6: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 22 Georgia at No. 24 South Carolina
- Did the NCAA go overboard on A.J. Green's suspension?
- Is the loser of this game effectively out of the SEC East race?
- Vote on those and other questions about Georgia at South Carolina!
Jon (Jacksonville, FL)
Ivan, with all the great games on this weekend, do you think the UGA - USC game might be the best when taking into account the stakes, the relative strength of both teams, and the recent history of the contest?
Ivan Maisel
Great point, Jon. They always play a close game. they are two of the top three teams in the SEC East -- and may be the top two, based on last week. I am thrilled that it's the noon game. Full transcript
More games from ESPN Arcade »
Tune in to "College Football Live" on ESPN at 3:30 p.m. ET each day this week for more of the greatest "What if?" questions in college football history.
What really happened in the 1984 Orange Bowl: Undefeated Nebraska met upstart Miami, completing just its fifth season under Howard Schnellenberger after laying dormant as a college football wasteland for years. With Nebraska trailing 31-30 with less than a minute to play after scoring a touchdown, Nebraska coach Tom Osborne went for the two-point conversion. It failed, Miami won its first national championship and a dynasty was launched.
But what if Nebraska won? How would the football landscape in Florida have been different? Would Miami still have gone on to become a national power? Would Schnellenberger still have left and opened the door for Jimmy Johnson's arrival?
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