You wonder why people keep coming up with reasons why the Miami Hurricanes can't win another national championship. They have done everything possible in college football - except win titles back-to-back.
This is the only program to win more than one championship in the 1980s. It's been said Miami saved college football in Florida from despair, back when never winning the Big One felt like a curse from which no state team would be saved.But each of Miami's three coaches to win a national title said he cared very little for the debates about whether the Hurricanes were the best team in Florida. It was enough for each of them to know Miami was the best anywhere.
Which brings us to 1991 - and confusion. The Hurricanes, 10-2 last season and the national champion in two of three seasons prior to that, were looked upon almost disdainfully in the preseason.
Sports Illustrated, one of the most respected voices in sports journalism, tabbed Miami seventh in the country, behind Michigan, Florida State, Florida, Penn State, Notre Dame and Washington.
That was at least six positions too low. On past history alone, the Hurricanes deserve more respect because of who they are and what they have accomplished.
The Hurricanes are a program rather than a team, which makes for a subtle but important difference.
So they lose quarterback Craig Erickson and defensive tackle Russell Maryland to graduation. So what? Two years earlier, those same questions were asked when Erickson replaced Steve Walsh and Maryland stepped in for Derwin Jones.
At Miami, why ask why?
This year's quarterback is Gino Torretta, who tossed four touchdown passes in Miami's biggest game of the year to date - last week's 40-10 humiliation of the Houston Cougars.
The Hurricanes' backfield is still potent with fullbacks Steve McGuire and Martin Patton.
Miami's defense, led by a swarming four-man rush with Kenny Lopez and Mark Caesar sharing Maryland's vacated tackle slot, held Houston's potent offense without a touchdown until the final minute of play.
"Unbelievable! Simply unbelievable!" ESPN college football analyst Beano Cook said over the phone this week. "Here's a school where they once talked about dropping football. A private school in a city with a pro football team, and they've been able to do it. They've been able to sustain it."
Coaching aside, recruiting is the major reason for Miami's success. "They don't have to rebuild," Cook said. "They just reload."'
Miami recruiting coordinator Dave Scott said the Hurricanes attract a certain type of player. Of course, the Hurricanes seek the top-rated athletes, particularly at quarterback and linebacker, but they generally recruit differently than other major programs.
"We recruit players that are great athletes, guys that played both sides of the ball in high school, who can change positions," Scott said.
But a lot of talented high school football players play dual positions. Miami realizes that, too, which is why the Hurricanes focus more on the individual player and whether he meets the program's lofty standards.
"A lot of kids have grown up the last 10 years watching Miami on television," Scott said. "They like our style of play, playing in big games every year, winning three national championships. Certain players want to be in that type of program. Other players, believe it or not, are intimidated. They don't think they can play at that level."
Erickson didn't back down when it seemed likely that Jeff George would transfer in from Purdue. While two other quarterback prospects canceled recruiting trips to Miami, Erickson accepted the challenge and signed with the Hurricanes. (George later changed his mind and transferred to Illinois.)
Scott said of Erickson: "That attitude permeates through all of our players."