I'm sure Miami had injuries. I think the UCLA team was not in the right frame of mind at Miami, and I think the armband thing became an open wound. You wouldn't believe the stories about that one.
The lousy UCLA defense had been exposed by Stanford and Washington earlier in the year, but it completely unraveled against Miami. After that, I think a loss to Wisconsin was to be expected. Toledo's teams didn't have a lot of heart. When they lost their first game of the 2001 season, after having climbed as high as #2 in the rankings, IIRC, I think it was Ryan Nece who asked Toledo "What do we have to play for now?" or something to that effect. Well, that says it all. The fact that 2001 went in the shitter right after that is pretty much proof that Toledo had already lost the team.
@Pasadena Trojan Actually, I think that's probably true: the defense got worse as the year went on, mostly due to injuries and attrition. I have no doubt they would have beat Miami earlier in the season, but it's really academic and means nothing. Plus, now that I think about it, who's to say they don't lose to Tennessee with that defense. They did give up a ton of yards to Ron Dayne and Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl, although I'm sure they were demoralized after having been so close to the big game. Plus, I'm sure that black armband thing didn't help with team unity.
I guess in the final analysis Toledo was right when he said, after the Miami loss, that a team that doesn't play good defense doesn't deserve to be national champions.
that was one of those games that i had a very bad feeling about.. they moved the game to December or something.... If they had replay Ucla wins that one by 20+... they had at least 2 TO's that were not turnovers and I honestly believe they called it that way just to keep the audience tuned in... UCLA was beginning to run away with it but once the refs gave Miami momentum, UCLA started to self destruct. It all comes down to liberals... those licucks were fighting and trying to do some black sheeeeet instead of focusing on football.... did I say I hate liberals and they stink? I still may be done with Ucla football... the kid may get into USC and if he does, Fawk you libs at Ucla. Die, die, die
Christ, if only UCLA had had even a decent defense, they'd have been national champs. I honestly believe they were better than Tennessee, but it's a moot point. The Melsby Curse lives on.
losing to Wincy and getting steamrolled by Dayne was icing on cake to that collapse.
Happens.
Toledo nailed it. Means your not Championship worthy.
History reflects that.
History also shows Cade had 500 yards passing that game no??? Dude was a winner/competitor.
Miami had no injuries that year?
You mentioned 3-4 reasons aka issues or excuses.
USC started a one armed FR LBer named Brian Cushing and the Ting Bros That RB game. No The Tings were not starting players all season.
Big boy FB is a war of attrition for both teams.
Always has been always will be.
I always laugh at Bruins who say If we played earlier we would’ve beat them
really really really lame take Just is
You lost when you played on same field. own it
That Miami game is to Bruins that VU RB is to us....it’s that painful
never get over it
you just get older
we’ll at least we had 2 championships before that game
so yeah Miami game was much worse for you all
Christ, if only UCLA had had even a decent defense, they'd have been national champs. I honestly believe they were better than Tennessee, but it's a moot point. The Melsby Curse lives on.