Image Source: Ehsan Kassim
Key Takeaways
- The Miami Hurricanes are on the verge of making history with a potential sixth national championship, which would tie them with Michigan for the 10th-most championships ever.
- A win against No. 1 Indiana in the College Football Playoff national championship game would snap a 24-year drought for Miami and cap off a remarkable CFP run.
- The Hurricanes’ five previous national championships, which occurred between 1983 and 2001, are ranked based on point differential, ranked wins, All-Americans, and historical impact.
- The 2001 Miami Hurricanes team is considered one of the greatest college football teams of all time, with a perfect 12-0 season and a roster featuring 17 future first-round NFL draft picks.
Introduction to Miami’s Championship History
The Miami Hurricanes are on the cusp of making history, with a potential sixth national championship within their grasp. As the 10th-ranked Hurricanes prepare to face off against No. 1 Indiana in the College Football Playoff national championship game, they have the opportunity to tie Michigan for the 10th-most championships ever. This would be a monumental achievement, especially considering that their last national championship was 24 years ago. As noted in the article, "Winning on Jan. 19 would snap a 24-year drought for Miami and would serve as the cherry on top of a great CFP run that includes wins over No. 7 Texas A&M, No. 2 Ohio State (the defending national champion) and No. 6 Mississippi."
Ranking Miami’s National Championships
The article ranks Miami’s five previous national championships, which occurred between 1983 and 2001, based on point differential, ranked wins, All-Americans, and historical impact. The rankings provide a fascinating look at the history of the program and highlight the dominance of the Hurricanes during this period. For example, the 1989 team, which defeated Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, is ranked fifth, with a point differential of 24.3 points per game and ranked wins over No. 9 Florida State, No. 14 Pitt, No. 1 Notre Dame, and No. 7 Alabama. As the article states, "Following the season, Miami saw five players selected within the first 80 picks of the 1990 NFL Draft. Mario Cristobal was a key part of the offensive line, including defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy, who went No. 3 overall to the Seattle Seahawks."
The 1983 Championship Season
The 1983 season was a remarkable one for the Hurricanes, as they won their first national championship in program history. Despite losing to in-state rival Florida in the season opener, Miami rattled off 11 straight wins, culminating in a 31-30 win over No. 1 Nebraska in the 1984 Orange Bowl Classic. As the article notes, "The Cornhuskers were the only team in those 11 games to score more than 17 points against Miami’s defense, which also held seven opponents to under 10 points." This season marked the beginning of a dominant era for the Hurricanes, with coach Howard Schnellenberger at the helm.
The 1991 Championship Season
The 1991 season was another standout year for the Hurricanes, as they won their third championship in five years. With a perfect 12-0 record and a point differential of 23.8 points per game, Miami dominated opponents, including a 26-20 win over No. 9 Penn State and a 22-0 shutout of Nebraska in the Orange Bowl. As the article states, "One of the key members of the 1991 team was all-conference offensive lineman Cristobal, on an offense led by quarterback Gino Torretta." This season was marked by the "Wide Right I" game, where FSU kicker Gerry Thomas missed a game-winning field goal, giving Miami a 17-16 win.
The 2001 Championship Season
The 2001 season is widely regarded as one of the greatest in college football history, with the Hurricanes putting together a perfect 12-0 season and dominating opponents to an average difference of 33.2 points per game. With a roster featuring 17 future first-round NFL draft picks, including Ed Reed, Bryant McKinnie, and Jeremy Shockey, Miami was nearly unstoppable. As the article notes, "The 2001 Miami roster featured 17 future first-round NFL draft picks, 22 future All-Pro selections and 38 players who eventually found their way onto an NFL roster." This team is considered one of the greatest college football teams of all time, and their achievement serves as a benchmark for the current Hurricanes team.
Conclusion and Looking Ahead
As the Miami Hurricanes prepare to face off against No. 1 Indiana in the College Football Playoff national championship game, they have the opportunity to make history and win their sixth national championship. With a win, they would tie Michigan for the 10th-most championships ever and cap off a remarkable CFP run. As the article states, "The 2025 Hurricanes have a chance to make sure 2025 Indiana is not brought into the discussion" of the greatest college football teams of all time. With their rich history and dominant performances, the Hurricanes are poised to make a statement and leave their mark on the college football world.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/acc/2026/01/19/ranking-every-miami-national-championship-team-2001/88237656007/
