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State's Dominance Makes A Powerful Statement

AP File Photo (2002)

Miami's Andre Johnson kisses the Sears Trophy as teammates quarterback Ken Dorsey, right, Daryl Jones, left, and Jeremy Shockey look on after the Hurricanes defeated Nebraska 37-14 in the 88th Rose Bowl.

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By JOEY JOHNSTON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 28, 2008

We're approaching the silver anniversary of a night - Jan. 2, 1984 - when everything changed.

Since the Miami Hurricanes stunned top-ranked Nebraska to win the Orange Bowl and capture an improbable national title, the state of Florida has enjoyed a golden era in college football.

Nine national championship teams. In that time span, no other state has more than three.

But of those nine national champions from Florida, one team stands above the rest as the ultimate No. 1, according to a poll of 20 college-football journalists conducted by The Tampa Tribune.

With each pollster ranking the teams first through ninth, the 2001 Hurricanes (12-0) received 12 first-place votes and 156 total points. Coach Larry Coker's team, which beat Nebraska 37-14 at the Rose Bowl, had 31 players who would be drafted by the NFL, including an astounding 16 first-rounders.

The poll's No. 2 choice was the 1987 Hurricanes (12-0), who got strong support across the board.

Rounding out the list were the 1999 Florida State Seminoles (12-0), the 1993 Seminoles (12-1), the 1996 Florida Gators (12-1), the 1991 Hurricanes (12-0), the 1983 Hurricanes (12-0), the 1989 Hurricanes (11-1) and the 2006 Gators (13-1).

"There are no right or wrong answers here," said Charles Davis, a commentator for Fox Sports who will be in the booth on Jan. 8 when the 2008 Gators (12-1) attempt to become the 10th state team to win a title by taking on Oklahoma (12-1) in the BCS Championship Game. "The talent in the state of Florida has been simply amazing. You could take any of these teams and be happy."

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