2001 Miami Hurricanes-Best College Football Team Ever

by Ed Talerico
(West Palm Beach, FL)

In my opinion, the 2001 Miami Hurricanes were the greatest college football team of all time. One may argue this, of course, but I don't know if one can argue against them being the most talented squad ever.

Not only 16 1st round draft picks but at least 6 Pro Bowlers(Clinton Portis, Frank Gore, Andre Johnson, Jeremy Shockey, Ed Reed, a former N.F.L. Defensive Player of the year, and Sean Taylor, R.I.P.). There may be more I'm not aware of and more on the way.

Their offensive line led by All Americans, Bryant McKinnie and Joaquin Gonzalez, was dominant and considered the best in the nation. McKinnie never allowed a sack in his career. In fact, Ken Dorsey, who finished 3rd in the Heisman voting and winner of the Maxwell Award was sacked only 5 times the entire season.

The running backs featured not only Portis and Gore, but also included Nadje Davenport and Willis McGahee. Andre Johnson was an exceptional pass reciever and tight end Jeremy Shockey was backed up by Kellen Winslow Jr. Miami averaged 43.2 points per game.

The defense was extremely fast and hard hitting. They allowed only 9.4 points per game and also led the nation with a remarkable 45 takeaways. The defensive line featured Jerome McDougle, Vince Wilfork, William Joseph, and Andrew Johnson, all N.F.L. players.

The linebackers, John Vilma, D.J. Williams, and Chris Campbell were among the best in the nation. The secondary, led by Ed Reed, was one of the best of all time and numbered at least 6 N.F.L. players on its roster.

The Canes special teams were also exceptional and possessed great speed. Phillip Bucannon was one of the most dangerous punt returners in the nation that year and Miami could block kicks as well. Their place kicker, Todd Sievers was an All American and connected on 21 of 26 field goals attempts.

Miami was a very dominant and complete football team. On successive weeks they decimated 13th ranked Syracuse and 11th ranked Washington by scores of 59-0 and 65-7 respectively. This was an NCAA record for margin of victory over consecutive ranked opponents.

The Canes crushed their opposition at the Orange Bowl that year by an average score of 51-3. They led Nebraska in the B.C.S. Championship Game played at the Rose Bowl 34-0 at halftime and cruised to victory 37- 14.

A remarkable stat about the 2001 Canes is the fact that they scored 11 non-offensive touchdowns while their defense allowed only 13. It was a truly amazing display of dominance for a team to score within a couple of touchdowns of what their defense allowed FOR THE ENTIRE SEASON without their explosive and very talented offense ever taking the field.

In conclusion, I have to pay my respects to 1995 Nebraska and 2004 U.S.C. since they were great teams as well. Also, the 1992 Crimson tide which destroyed Miami 34-13 in the 93' Sugar Bowl under Coach Stallings. They were not regarded as one of the best teams ever but possessed one of the greatest defenses I've ever seen.

Wish the Miami championship teams of the 80's and early 90's handled themselves with as much class as the great Alabama teams of the past, especially those under Coach Bryant. And all this from a Florida Gator fan.

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2001 Miami Hurricanes-Best College Football Team Ever

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Dec 27, 2007
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2 of the best
by: Anonymous

R.I.P. Chris Campbell and Sean Taylor

Apr 08, 2008
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95 Huskers are best college team ever
by: MWesty

Yes, they had a lot of talent and were a very good team, but not the best. The 95 Huskers were the best college team of all time

May 16, 2008
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Miami super talented/the best????
by: Anonymous

The 2001 Miami Hurricanes WERE as talented as any team...however

they play ZERO elite opponents all yr---NONE and they were tested on the road at Boston College (who played without their best player William Green) and at Virginia Tech who dropped a 2 pt conversion that would have tied the game

Then they faced a Nebraska team that had given up 62 points in their previous game One could argue that Nebraska team was the worst team to play in a NC game this decade

I will not argue with their talent level but given the games with BC and VT I believe Miami would have had ALL they wanted had they played an elite team on the road that yr

Hats off to the Oklahoma Sooners of 1974---that team never gave up more than 14 points in an unbeaten season led by the Selmon brothers and Joe Washington It certainly was better than the 80's OU teams that fell to Miami for three straight yrs

Jul 02, 2008
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Schedule can be a bit overrated with great teams
by: Anonymous

The argument that Miami played zero elite opponents in 2001 would hold some weight if they struggled against the ranked opponents they did play. But they were as dominant against ranked teams as they were against unranked opponents. They ended the 'Noles 54 game home winning streak in Tallahassee convincingly, 49-27. Against Boston College, Ken Dorsey may have had the worst game of his career throwing in the wind at B.C., yet the Canes still won by 12. They proceeded to outscore #14 Syracuse and #11 Washington by a combined score of 124-7 the next two weeks before taking the field at Blacksburg. Miami led 20-3 at halftime and controlled most of the game but had to hold on to win. It is admitted Nebraska was not a strong opponent having been blown out by Colorado in the Big Twelve Championship. But who else would have led the Huskers 34-0 at halftime? Miami had no control over who they played in the title game. The question is: Would it have mattered? Do you think Oregon, Colorado, or anyone else would have beaten the Canes that year?
Every once in awhile a college football season will produce a team we may call transcendent. In 1961 there was Alabama. Then there was everyone else. I do not doubt that the same was true for the great Sooner team of '74. Certainly in '95 there was Nebraska and then it was merely a question of who was number #2. In '01 the transcendent team, the dominant team was Miami. I really don't believe it made a difference who they played for the title that year any more than it would have mattered for '61 Alabama,'74 Oklahoma, or '95 Nebraska; the same with some other great teams of the past. Strength of schedule has less meaning here, though the Canes, to my knowledge, did defeat 6 ranked teams in '01. I believe '01 Miami was the best ever. But my point is, I can't think of any teams in the nation that would have caused major problems, match ups, or otherwise, for any of the great teams mentioned above during their transcendent seasons. Therefore, whether these teams played #2 or #6, or #3 rather than #10 doesn't make a great deal of difference. Great teams such as the ones mentioned above would leave no doubt who the better team was regardless of who they played during their dominant seasons. Regardless of who the greatest team ever truly is, it sure makes for a very interesting debate.

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Jul 02, 2008
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Submitted by: Anonymous

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The argument that Miami played zero elite opponents in 2001 would hold some weight if they struggled against the ranked opponents they did play. But they were as dominant against ranked teams as they were against unranked opponents. They ended the 'Noles 54 game home winning streak in Tallahassee convincingly, 49-27. Against Boston College, Ken Dorsey may have had the worst game of his career throwing in the wind at B.C., yet the Canes still won by 12. They proceeded to outscore #14 Syracuse and #11 Washington by a combined score of 124-7 the next two weeks before taking the field at Blacksburg. Miami led 20-3 at halftime and controlled most of the game but had to hold on to win. It is admitted Nebraska was not a strong opponent having been blown out by Colorado in the Big Twelve Championship. But who else would have led the Huskers 34-0 at halftime? Miami had no control over who they played in the title game. The question is: Would it have mattered? Do you think Oregon, Colorado, or anyone else would have beaten the Canes that year? Every once in awhile a college football season will produce a team we may call transcendent. In 1961 there was Alabama. Then there was everyone else. I do not doubt that the same was true for the great Sooner team of '74. Certainly in '95 there was Nebraska and then it was merely a question of who was number #2. In '01 the transcendent team, the dominant team was Miami. I really don't believe it made a difference who they played for the title that year any more than it would have mattered for '61 Alabama,'74 Oklahoma, or '95 Nebraska; the same with some other great teams of the past. Strength of schedule has less meaning here, though the Canes, to my knowledge, did defeat 6 ranked teams in '01. I believe '01 Miami was the best ever. But my point is, I can't think of any teams in the nation that would have caused major problems, match ups, or otherwise, for any of the great teams mentioned above during their transcendent seasons. Therefore, whether these teams played #2 or #6, or #3 rather than #10 doesn't make a great deal of difference. Great teams such as the ones mentioned above would leave no doubt who the better team was regardless of who they played during their dominant seasons. Regardless of who the greatest team ever truly is, it sure makes for a very interesting debate.

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Sep 01, 2008
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Best article ever written on the subject.
by: Anonymous

How to calculate the greatest college football team ever:

How To Calculate Greatest College Football Team Ever.

Sep 18, 2008
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2001 canes
by: Anonymous

how can you say they played no elite teams not only did they destroy ranked syracuse and washington but they also killed the number 2 team in the nation 37-14 for the national championship.

Oct 20, 2008
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they were the best
by: Anonymous

Just to add some notes to those who think the hurricanes had no historical impact that year on big college teams. The Washinton Huskies have NEVER been the same program since the 2001 Miami Hurricanes decimated them. If we all remember, the Huskies were a team to be reckoned with back then.

You can't deny that the 2001 Hurricanes team will always be remembered as one of the best college football teams to ever have assembled. As a former hurricane alumni myself..I guess I'm biased??

Go Canes!!

Nov 08, 2008
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i was there
by: football fan

i was at the national championship game, and i remember every time it looked like the huskers were going to hold the canes with a 3rd and 7 or 3rd and 5...... you'd see dorsey to shockey, dorsey to johnson, dorsey to shockey.. i never looked at the stats after the game, but i'd bet they converted a very, very high percentage of their third downs.

they looked unstoppable.

Dec 08, 2008
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Name another team that put that many into the NFL...also pro-bowl
by: Anonymous

Bryant McKinnie and Vince Wilfork are also pro-bowlers. On top of that, DJ Williams will be a shoe in for the pro-bowl.

May 17, 2009
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01 canes the g.o.a.t.
by: Anonymous

the 01' canes were the best period.

the 95 huskers were great but the problem is is that they were a one dimensional team and they never seen athletes like the 01' canes so when the going gets tough what are they going to do throw the ball? if so to who??

plus if you look at the huskers schedule in 95' they played 5 straight at home!! and only 4 road games period. kansas, k-st and colorado is the only teams they played that were worth anything other than that the rest of the teams were 3-8 teams. plus just like we always beat fsu when it counts we ALWAYS beat NU when it counts.

May 20, 2009
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Canes rock
by: Anonymous

The are the greatest team ever. Who is in the Big 12 or what ever you call it. Three of the national champs came from the hand of this so called great conference. The would roll over 95 Nebraska. How many of these so called great teams that would have beat them had this many first rounders. They played the schedule that was sent to them. The 2004 Trojans played in another weak conference. 2001 the best ever

Jun 22, 2009
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2000 Hurricanes
by: Anonymous

The most talented team of all-time actually is not the 2001 Miami Hurricanes. It is the 2000 Miami Hurricanes. Take that 2001 team and add both Reggie Wayne AND Santana Moss. I have no idea how they managed to lose a game.

Jul 30, 2009
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nope
by: Anonymous

The 1995 Nebraska team would ****** smash 2001 Miami into the ****** ground with ease
NUFFSAID

Aug 09, 2009
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Big Thank You
by: Anonymous

Saw every game that year, even the Rose Bowl, we (Miami) truly possessed the best team of all time with that 2001 squad.

Aug 09, 2009
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Jab
by: Anonymous

You throw a jab in there at the end of your story

Aug 10, 2009
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Virginia Tech, Boston College and Colorado
by: Anonymous

The 2001 Virginia Tech, Boston College and Colorado teams disagree with 2001 Canes being the greatest of all time.

Aug 10, 2009
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#1
by: Anonymous

Miami definitely played elite competition that year.

Actually they set a record for beating top 15 teams back to back by the highest margin (Syracuse and Washington) something like 135-9

They were the best team of all time and had the voters gotten it right should have played in the Championship game in 2000, 2001, and 2002 and probably would have won all 3 (02 UM was robbed by the ref on the other end of the field)

Aug 11, 2009
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THE 2OOO-2002 UM TEAMS WERE THE BEST
by: Anonymous

No doubt the 2000-2002 UM teams were the best. Just look at the NFL players they produced were the best make it. 10+pro bowlers and how many first round picks from those years. No team comes close. 95 nebraska would have nothing close to competing with the those UM teams. Just compare the players one on one. Not even close. How did the 95 team players make in the NFL were the best play each other and not some sissy high plains team.

Aug 22, 2009
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Huskers Could Pass in '95
by: Anonymous

People always say that the Huskers in 1995 could only run. "One dimensional?" They averaged 7.5 yds per passing play and 14 yds per completion. The reason why they didn't have to throw is because they averaged 400 RUSHING YARDS A GAME. Their quarterback was a 3-TIME NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP MVP who got cheated out of the Heisman, their running backs were Laurence Philips who averaged over 100 yds a game and Ahman Green who we all know.
They could do what they wanted, whenever they wanted. That is why they won every game by an average of 39 points and no team came within two touchdowns of them. Their lowest point total in a game was 35 points. 35!!!! Their LOW! How could they be one-dimensional? The fact is that they had a triple-option that involved the best running quarterback of our time (possibly all time given his stats even with his injuries), two of the best running backs of the 90's and enormous fullbacks. However, when they threw the ball it was just as easy for them to get first downs. They averaged more yards per catch than their opponents. READ THE FACTS!

Aug 22, 2009
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Cane Dominance
by: Anonymous

Here is the order: 2001 Canes, 1986 Canes, 2000 Canes. Sorry Huskers. NCAA did not want us in the 2000 season BCS championship game, and stole the 2002 season championship game. Should have been a threepeat. Forget the #1 picks, just look at the quality picks. Be aware college football, there is another storm on the way, and you know what is going to happen!!!

Aug 23, 2009
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2000 or 2001 UM would have destroyed 95 Nebraska
by: Anonymous

What was the name of that QB from Nebraska? Did he even make it to the pros? Not that good was he. What happened to Phillips? He did not do to well in the NFL. He was lost. It seems the 2000-2002 Miami team's players moved on and did great in the NFL were the best are judged against the best. Not weak prairie teams. The 94 Nebraska team almost the same as the 95 team barely got but an injury depleted Miami team in 94. That 94 Miami team was not even in the top ten of Miami teams. 2001 Miami would have destroyed any Nebraska team ever. Any other team that night in 2001 would have been blown of the field as well.

Aug 23, 2009
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2001 Miami? Yeah, right
by: Clem

They were lucky to beat BC, and they won over VaTech by just a deuce. Sorry, but it doesn't matter how many guys end up in the NFL, it's what they do on the field in college that matters in this discussion.

Aug 23, 2009
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They blew that Nebraska team of the field.
by: Anonymous

They blew that Nebraska team of the field.
What was the score in the first half?

Aug 23, 2009
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Not even close
by: Salvadore

2001 Miami played ONE team that finished in the top 10. (And that one team had just lost 62-36.)

1995 Nebraska played FOUR teams that finished in the top 10, and beat them by an average of 31 points.

Case closed.

Aug 23, 2009
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Sour Grapes by Nebraska, VT, BC & Others
by: Canes 11

They were simply the best for 3 years straight. The BSC sucks and the refs must have been paid off in 2002. Enough said, SIMPLY THE BEST!

Aug 27, 2009
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1995 nebraska?
by: Anonymous

1995 Nebraska better than this squad? are you retarded?

Sep 05, 2009
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scored at will
by: Anonymous

The 2001 Canes team scored at will against all opponents. Emphasis being on "at will". Some games they were laid back, the score got close, and then they just switched gears. They were a precocious pro team playing against college kids. The list of stars on that team, and their success in the NFL, speaks for itself.

Sep 07, 2009
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Don't forget JV
by: Hurricane Pro

Jonathan Vilma is also a pro bowler, and I think Antrel Rolle just might be on his way to one. Kellan Winslow should ease into one also eventually

Sep 12, 2009
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The Best
by: Anonymous

There are no teams better. 16 First Rounders, multiple pro bowlers.

QB: Ken Dorsey
RB: Clinton Portis (Pro Bowl), Frank Gore (Pro Bowl), Willis Mcgahee (Pro Bowl), Najeh Davenport (NFL)
TE: Jeremy Shockey (Pro Bowl), Kellen Winslow (Pro Bowl)
WR: Andre Johnson (Pro Bowl), Roscoe Parrish (NFL)
O-line: Bryant McKinnie (Pro Bowl), Martin Bilba (NFL)

Defense: Vince Wilfork (Pro Bowl), Ed Reed (Pro Bowl), Sean Taylor (Pro Bowl - RIP), Jonathan Vilma (Pro Bowl), Antrel Rolle (NFL), DJ Williams (NFL), Mike Rumph (NFL), Phillip Buchanon (NFL), Jerome McDougle (NFL), William Joseph (NFL).

And to think that in the previous seasons they were even more loaded with Santana Moss, Reggie Wayne, Edgerrin James, Bubba Franks, Dan Morgan.

Canes talent way too much for the 95 Huskers.

Sep 12, 2009
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2000 or 2001 UM would have destroyed 95 Nebraska
by: Anonymous

It is to bad the UM got screwed by the BCS out of the 2000 NC game. They would have run over OK.

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2001 Miami Hurricanes-Best College Football Team Ever

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2001 Miami Hurricanes-Best College Football Team Ever