- Joined
- Dec 8, 2025
- Messages
- 39
I’ve seen a lot of posts here framing this Ohio State game as some kind of “redemption” opportunity for 2002, and I get it because it’s easy to make that connection, but I don’t really agree with it at all.
Don’t get me wrong, beating Ohio State would be a big win for this program. It just wouldn’t be redemption.
That 2002 title game wasn’t a normal loss. It was a national championship game at the absolute height of our early 2000’s dynasty, with a roster that defined an era of college football. Losing that game didn’t just cost us a title, it marked the end of our era. What followed was 2 decades of instability, drifting identity, coaching churn, and a gradual slide from being THE standard-setter in college football to somewhat of a nostalgia brand (from a national perspective). You can argue about causes all day, but that night clearly closed a chapter.
That’s why it still stings. Not because of Ohio State specifically, and not even just because of the terrible call (**** you Terry Porter). It stings because of everything that came after. Miami stopped being the program everyone chased and became the one constantly trying to get “back.” That’s not something you can undo with a single win, no matter how satisfying it would feel in the moment tomorrow.
Tomorrow is a College Football Playoff quarterfinal, not a national title game. It’s a meaningful stage, but it’s not the same one. Winning tomorrow would continue to validate progress, signal real improvement, and show that the program is trending in the right direction under this staff. But I’d likely feel the same way if we play in a close loss tomorrow.
To me, this game is about progress, not closure. It’s about whether Miami is building something sustainable again, not about settling a 23-year-old emotional score. Trying to frame it as redemption actually undersells what this team is trying to do now, which is carve out its own identity instead of living in the shadow of the early 2000s.
If Miami wins, I’ll enjoy it as much as everyone else.I just won’t call it redemption. That would be beating Ohio State in a title game in an equally heartbreaking way (I can’t really imagine a situation) that sets their program back.
Curious how others see it, because of all the posts talking about how this would be “redemption” for 2002.
Don’t get me wrong, beating Ohio State would be a big win for this program. It just wouldn’t be redemption.
That 2002 title game wasn’t a normal loss. It was a national championship game at the absolute height of our early 2000’s dynasty, with a roster that defined an era of college football. Losing that game didn’t just cost us a title, it marked the end of our era. What followed was 2 decades of instability, drifting identity, coaching churn, and a gradual slide from being THE standard-setter in college football to somewhat of a nostalgia brand (from a national perspective). You can argue about causes all day, but that night clearly closed a chapter.
That’s why it still stings. Not because of Ohio State specifically, and not even just because of the terrible call (**** you Terry Porter). It stings because of everything that came after. Miami stopped being the program everyone chased and became the one constantly trying to get “back.” That’s not something you can undo with a single win, no matter how satisfying it would feel in the moment tomorrow.
Tomorrow is a College Football Playoff quarterfinal, not a national title game. It’s a meaningful stage, but it’s not the same one. Winning tomorrow would continue to validate progress, signal real improvement, and show that the program is trending in the right direction under this staff. But I’d likely feel the same way if we play in a close loss tomorrow.
To me, this game is about progress, not closure. It’s about whether Miami is building something sustainable again, not about settling a 23-year-old emotional score. Trying to frame it as redemption actually undersells what this team is trying to do now, which is carve out its own identity instead of living in the shadow of the early 2000s.
If Miami wins, I’ll enjoy it as much as everyone else.I just won’t call it redemption. That would be beating Ohio State in a title game in an equally heartbreaking way (I can’t really imagine a situation) that sets their program back.
Curious how others see it, because of all the posts talking about how this would be “redemption” for 2002.
