Canes Gridiron start reminiscent of Hoops Magical Season

Let me start by saying, there is no comparison between the history of UM football and UM basketball. One has 5 National Championship and the other is still working in its first. One has produced pro players at an unprecedented rate, with names like Ray Lewis, Edgerrin James, Jim Kelly, Santana Moss, Russell Maryland, and Warren Sapp. The other has, well...... Rick Barry and James Jones.

But..... both have had their struggles since joining the ACC in 2003.

Both started their most recent season's unranked.

Both displayed a quiet yet convincing swagger leading up to their current (football) or most recent (hoops) campaigns.

Both had majestic wins (Duke for hoops, Florida for football) that caught the attention of the National Media.

Both have overcome and endured the ridiculous marathon of errors and uncertainty that has been and continues to be, the NCAA Investigation.

Both also appear to have overcome attendance issues and captured the hearts and minds of South Floridians and filled the seats of their respective arenas in record numbers.

Most importantly both programs have coaches in Jim Larranaga and Al Golden who are charismatic and have the complete belief of their players.

Suddenly, it would appear that Golden's squad much like Larranaga's was, is built on a backbone of terrific defense.

Larranaga is from New York, Golden is from New Jersey.......

Oh yeah, those hoops guys just happened to pick up their ACC rings after the first quarter of that lil ol' game last weekend. Maybe the stars are crossed? Warren Sapp was the guy who encouraged the basketball players to slap the floor against Duke after all!

Can Duke Johnson duplicate the feats of Shane Larkin and take home ACC Player of the Year?

Will Golden take home ACC Coach of the Year, like Larranaga?

Will the 'Canes carry the pigskin all the way to thier 1st ACC Championship in Charlotte, the same way the Cagers slam dunked the opposition in Greensboro for their first ACC title?

While much of that remains to be seen, more and more 'Canes fans are beginning to believe in this football team.

And to those of us who live and die with both squads, the buzz around Golden's team has evoked more then a few memories of extraordinary season that was Miami Basketball in 2012-13.

Anyhow, it is fun to think about at minimum.

And finally a reminder of what happened this winter:

(Youtube, CanesFreak2001)