Not only were the 1986 Hurricanes arguably the best team to ever play College Football in the state of Florida, they were also probably the most significant in changing the face of College Football throughout the nation. In spite of losing the National Championship to Penn State at the Canes personal house of horrors, Sun Devil Stadium, the 1986 Canes were a truly great team.
The offense was led by Heisman Trophy Winner Vinny Testeverde and Senior Fullback Alonzo Highsmith. Halfbacks Mel Bratton and Warren Williams rounded out the backfield while the Wide Reciever trio of Michael Irvin, Brett Perriman and Brian Blades was as good as it got. Throw in superb Tight End play from Alfredo Roberts and Charles Henry and you had as potent an offense as College Football is capable of producing.
The Defense was as good as it gets also. Anchored by Jerome Brown, Dan Stubbs and Kevin Fagan up front the squad was flat out intimidating. The linebackers included Winston Moss, Dan Sileo (who could play up front also), and George Mira Jr. Tolbert Bain, Darrell Fullington, Bennie Blades, Selwyn Brown and Bubba McDowell rounded out an all star Secondary and McDowell was a kick blocker extraordinaire, accounting for 8 blocked FGs and punts in his Miami carrer.
This team was responsible in so many ways for changing the face of College Football. Miami's unprecedented success in running a pro style offense had many offensive coaches reassessing their love for the option and for a power running style game. Miami used the Fullback and Tight End as pass catchers unlike any other school in the nation, and much like teams in the NFL did. Previously both positions were seen as useful for blocking purposes only. Miami also utilized tall, physical receivers which debunked the previous notion of simply using burners outside.
Defensively, Miami was the first team to really showcase speed at all positions on defense. Jimmy Johnson believed that size was over rated as a factor and he recruited quick speedy players at all positions including on the defensive line.
You could argue that the modern era of College Football began with this team. Pro Style offense, utilization of the fullback and Tight End in the passing game, quick d-lineman, the use of starters on special teams to maximize the return game and kick blocks, etc, etc. While other programs like BYU had been equally innovative, they weren't playing a national schedule and on national TV every week. The current state of College Football owes itself to this team. Without Jimmy Johnson and Vinny Testeverde we'd never have Urban Meyer and Chris Leak.
The 1986 Canes. Not one of the 9 teams from the state to win a National Title but clearly the most important team of a generation.
1986 Miami
@ South Carolina 34-14
@ # 13 Florida 23-15
#18 Texas Tech 61-11
#1 Oklahoma 28-16
Northern Illinois 34-0
@ West Virginia 58-14
@ Cincinnati 45-13
#20 Florida State 41-13
@ #17 Pitt 37-10
Tulsa 23-10
East Carolina 38-13
#2 Penn State 10-14 (Fiesta Bowl)
Sunday, February 04, 2007
# 1: 1986 Miami Hurricanes
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3 comments:
Vinny was color blind. That's why they lost. The rest of the team kicked PSU's rear end in.
Listen people anyone who has followed collge football over the last twenty five years knows that this Miami team was clearly far superior to penn state. Yes we lost the game but only because we were out coached not because they had a better team. Miami had 6 turnovers doubled PSU in total yardage and still only lost in the last seconds of the game on a errant pass by Testaverde. The patriots beat the rams in the super bowl who do you really think was a better team?
Who won the game, baby??? Penn State, that's who! Hell yeah! LOL
Remember this guy?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6t7RAaXnjps
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