Fansided

The 20 most overhyped college football teams of the last 20 years

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford (14) (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/MCT via Getty Images)
Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford (14) (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/MCT via Getty Images) /
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COLLEGE PARK, MD – NOVEMBER 11: Head Coach Larry Coker of the Miami Hurricanes during the game against the Maryland Terrapins November 11, 2006 at Byrd Stadium in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD – NOVEMBER 11: Head Coach Larry Coker of the Miami Hurricanes during the game against the Maryland Terrapins November 11, 2006 at Byrd Stadium in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

2006: Miami Hurricanes

The 2006 season was a fond one for Florida fans. Not only did the Gators win the national championship, beating preseason No. 1 Ohio State and Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith 41-14 in the BCS Championship Game, but rivals Florida State and Miami were two of the most disappointing teams in the nation.

The Seminoles began the season ranked No. 11 in the AP Poll, and the Hurricanes followed just one spot behind. While both were able to post a winning record, neither former national championship head coach Bobby Bowden nor Larry Coker were able to put up a threat for a title. Both finished unranked. The 7-6 record Coker and the Canes produced cost the coach his job.

Miami won the 2001 national title in Coker’s first season after Butch Davis left for the NFL. Coker won 46 games across his first four seasons at the helm, but managed back-to-back nine-win seasons in 2004 and 2005 to put himself on the hot seat. The ’05 squad finished ranked No. 17 in the country, which was the worst for the program in eight years.

Coaching with his job on the line, Coker and the Hurricanes lost the Labor Day kickoff with the rival Seminoles 13-10. In Week 3, Miami was beaten soundly by No. 12 Louisville 31-7, and dropped from the rankings. Though the Hurricanes rebounded to win four in a row thanks to a strong defense, four straight losses sealed Cokers fate. A 17-14 upset win over Boston College earned Miami a spot in the MPC Computers Bowl, where the Hurricanes survived with a 21-20 victory over Nevada.

One decade and three head coaches later, Miami has never again opened a season ranked higher than No. 12, and has yet to win 10 games or finish in the Top 15.

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