There will be no postseason play for Miami
The Miami Hurricanes will join the ranks of Ohio State, Penn State, University of Central Florida, and North Carolina as bowl ineligible for the upcoming postseason. The Hurricanes (6-5, 4-3 ACC) in an unprecedented decision opted to forego their second straight postseason play as NCAA investigations are ongoing regarding revelations of a booster alleging to have given extra benefits in the form of cash and gifts to players and recruits.
The university president, Donna Shalala, and the top brass in the athletic department released an official statement this morning confirming the postseason ban.
“Considerable deliberation and discussion based on the status of the NCAA inquiry went into the decision-making process and, while acknowledging the impact that the decision will have on current student-athletes, coaches, alumni and fans, a determination was made that voluntarily withholding the football team from a second postseason was not only a prudent step for the University to take but will also allow for the football program and University to move forward in the most expedited manner possible.
“The University and President Shalala have been clear from the start of the inquiry that Miami will cooperate fully and will seek the truth, no matter where the path might lead and that the institution will be stronger because of it. The University has already taken proactive measures to ensure more strict compliance with NCAA rules and continues to evaluate further steps. “No other self-imposed penalties have been issued at this time and to continue to protect the integrity of the inquiry, the University will have no further comment.”
This decision will certainly disrupt the ACC’s postseason play as the conference has affiliations with eight different bowl games. With Miami and North Carolina ineligible and Maryland, Boston College and Virginia ineligible for failing to win enough qualifying games, at most seven teams can go bowling. The numbers may be less if Wake Forest (5-6) and Virginia Tech (5-6) fail to win this weekend.
Miami’s move will also impact the ACC financially as the conference pools all bowl revenue and shares among the 12 members. The conference has yet to decide how the money will be distributed with Miami voluntarily imposing a bowl ban.
