The Confidential

Hurricanes Not Bowling This Year

In a very non-shocking announcement, the Miami Hurricanes have stated that they will not participate in a bowl game this year.  In self-imposing a ban, Miami gets a head start on the NCAA, which is likely to impose some sort of restrictions based on the Nevin Shapiro scandal.

This move is logical.  With 5 losses, Miami was likely headed to one of those break-even bowl games–where you just hope to break even as an institution by attending.  While Al Golden could certainly use the extra practices, it would be unsavory for Miami to gain this benefit when it is quite certain that there will be penalties coming.  Miami is improving, but is not likely to be BCS bound anytime soon.  Unfortunately, the school is looking at several seasons where they will not be atop the standings.

It will be interesting to see if other schools follow suit.  Ohio State is likely to face NCAA sanctions.  And, of course, Penn State has had some issues that call into question whether a bowl will even want the Nittany Lions.  Add in the fact that many conference are going to meet or exceed their bowl allotments this year and there is little need for these programs to go bowling.  Each conference will still be able to meet its obligations.  In fact, if Purdue beats Indiana, they will get 10 teams eligible–enough to have two teams in BCS bowls.

The ACC is similarly not concerned with filling its bowl allotment.  With Clemson’s loss, the odds of getting two BCS teams diminished significantly.  The ACC will be fine.

This move is certainly disappointing to the Hurricane players and fans.  But they need to understand that self-imposed penalties go a long way towards demonstrating institutional control.  As it is fairly clear that Miami lost that along the way, now is the time to start proving to the NCAA that it is regaining it.