Yeah, I can see why kids want to play for Miami. They have such a long, glorious history... As for their bowls, they've played in the following: 1933 Palm Festival (W) 1934 Palm Festival (L) 1935 Orange (L) 1946 Orange (W) 1951 Orange (L) 1952 Gator (W) 1961 Liberty (L) 1962 Gotham Bowl (L) Never heard of that bowl! 1966 Liberty (W) 1967 Bluebonnet (L) 1981 Peach Bowl (W) 1984 Orange (W) 1985 Fiesta (L) 1986 Sugar (L) 1987 Fiesta (L) 1988 Orange (W) 1989 Orange (W) 1990 Sugar (W) 1991 Cotton (W) 1992 Orange (W) 1993 Sugar (W) 1994 Fiesta (L) 1995 Orange (L) 1996 Carquest (W) 1998 Micron PC (W) 2000 Gator (W) 2001 Sugar (W) 2002 Fiesta (L) For a 16-12 Record. LSU's record in 34 bowl games is 16-17-1. We've appeared in more bowl games and have a longer history (100+ years). So, why is it hard for Miami fans to understand why kids want to play for their home state school? They want to play in a better conference and they want to play for state pride.
A lot of kids see the imediate success that Miami has had over the past 20 or so years aand the recent National Title last year. This would be very tempting for an impressionable young man, especially if he didn't grow up worshippping the Tigers like most of us have.
I think they have won 4 or 5 national championships since the 80's (Johnson, Erickson, Davis, Coker) and have been prominently involved in the NC for the past 3 years. They also have some high profile NFL players (Shockey, Sapp, Edgerrin James, Clinton Portis) which would draw players to Miami.
Give Miami some credit. Since the 80's, they have been one of the best programs in the country. They have 5 national championships since 1983, and a few runner-ups. The loss in the Fiesta Bowl was the first in 35 games. Not to mention players like Jim Kelly, Bernie Kosar, Vinnie Testaverde, and many others that have played there. Let's not forget that Miami is one the best party cities in the country.
Oops! The one thing I forgot to mention is that Miami played their first football game in 1926. The other benefit of playing there is you get to play AT Rutgers and AT Temple ever other year!
