It’s always fun debating who was the best team or player in any sport. When looking at the history of college football, the 2001 Miami Hurricanes have to be considered the best of them all. If you are interested in USA Betting, you may want to check out the odds-on favorite to win this year’s National Championship at USAWager.com.
Hurricanes Made a Preseason Resolution to Go Unbeaten
Miami was determined to take the BCS computer out of the equation after being left out of the 2000 National Championship game despite having beaten Florida State in the regular season and being ranked higher in both polls than the Seminoles. In addition to beating FSU (who was ranked #1 at the time), the Canes defeated #2 Virginia Tech in Week 9, 41-21. Despite those accolades, Florida State was selected by the computer to face Oklahoma in the championship game, where Sooners defeated the Seminoles by the score of 13-2.
Miami Was Led by 1st Year Coach Larry Coker
Coker was promoted when Butch Davis left to become head coach of the Cleveland Browns. Coker had served as the Hurricanes offensive coordinator under Davis for six seasons. Many of the Miami players lobbied for Coker, believing that keeping the system they had in place already would be the key to winning the national championship.
The U Dominated the Opposition and Delivered on Undefeated Promise
The 2001 Miami Hurricanes finished their 12-0 season by scoring 512 points (42.6 per game) and allowing only 117 (9.75 per game). They defeated their opponents by an average of 32.9 points, the best in school history. In addition to that, they set an NCAA record for largest margin of victory over ranked opponents in consecutive weeks, when they destroyed Syracuse and Washington by a combined score of 124-7.
Miami has one of the Heisman Trophy favorites on roster for 2022. See where Tyler Van Dyke sits among the frontrunners.
Miami Embarrasses Nebraska in Winning National Championship
The Canes wasted little time in showing who the best team in the nation was, running out to a 34-0 halftime lead over the Cornhuskers. Miami, which was favored by 8½ points, eased off the gas in the second half and cruised to a 37-14 victory. It was the fifth national championship in school history. Miami held Nebraska to 259 yards of total offense, which was 192 yards below its season average. Ken Dorsey and Andre Johnson shared MVP honors for the game. Dorsey threw for 362 yards and three touchdowns, while Johnson caught seven passes for 199 yards and a pair of TDs.
A Record 38 NFL Draft Picks Selected from 2001 Miami Hurricanes Roster
If there was any doubt, this cements the 2001 Miami Hurricane’s status as the best team of all-time. Of the 38 players who went on to be selected in the NFL draft, an incredible 17 were first rounders! This team simply overwhelmed their opponents with future NFL superstars. Familiar names such as Ed Reed, Clinton Portis, Andre Johnson, Jeremy Shockey, Jonathan Vilma, and Bryant McKinnie were starters on this team. To give perspective on how deep they were, Sean Taylor, Vince Wilfork, and Willis McGahee were all backups.
