In each case (86, 88, 00, 02) we just didn't get it done. We didn't play up to our potential and flatly lost games we could/should have won.
Was Miami better than Penn State, Notre Dame, Washington, Ohio State in those respective seasons? Probably.
It would be nice if more Miami fans acknowledged the times where things fell in our favor and how lucky we are to have 5 titles:
83: Osborn electing to go for 2
87: no luck needed
89: ND defeating Colorado in the 1990 Sugar Bowl
91: Gerry Thomas missing a 34-yard FG
01: Dropped Wilford 2-pt conversion in 2000 at VT, miracle play at BC