MIAMI — National championship possibilities in 2005. A four-game winning streak in 2006. Hopes of returning to the Top 25 in 2007. An opportunity to clinch a trip to the Atlantic Coast Conference title game in 2008.
Miami had them.
Georgia Tech wrecked them.
No team has been a bigger thorn in the Hurricanes' side in recent years than the Yellow Jackets, who have won four in row in the series, including a 41-23 it-wasn't-that-close romp a year ago. It was a beating that knocked Miami from the ACC race and sparked what became a season-ending three-game slide.
The 20th-ranked Hurricanes (1-0, 1-0) get another chance to atone tonight when the 14th-ranked Jackets (2-0, 1-0) visit for Miami's home opener and a game that will likely loom vital to both in the Coastal Division.
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"Here's how important this game is: We'll see where we are as a football team," Miami coach Randy Shannon said.
A win, and Miami would be 2-0 in ACC play for the first time since 2004, plus have a slew of momentum heading into a Sept. 26 game at Virginia Tech that would figure to give the winner total control of the Coastal Division. A loss, and the Hurricanes would already find themselves needing tons of help, plus spend another year wondering how to solve the Georgia Tech hex.
Tennessee receiver takes blame for loss
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee wide receiver Gerald Jones points a finger at himself when asked if there's anyone to blame for the Volunteers' first loss of the season.
"As far as I'm concerned ... I feel like it was my fault. I never told anybody that. I kept it to myself," the junior said.
Jones was the intended receiver on one of Jonathan Crompton's three interceptions in a 19-15 loss to UCLA on Saturday. He said he and Crompton were struggling with their timing after Jones hadn't practiced for a few weeks because of injuries.
"It's different when you're on the outside looking in," Jones said. "You're not in the film room. You don't know the play. You don't know the route. It's my fault. I made a mistake."
Extra points
• Nebraska running back Collins Okafor has left the football program. Coach Bo Pelini announced the redshirt freshman's departure Wednesday. Nebraska spokesman Keith Mann says Okafor decided to leave the team on his own, and there were not any disciplinary concerns.
• LSU and North Carolina will meet in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game to open the 2010 season. The game will be played Sept. 4 in Atlanta's Georgia Dome and will be televised nationally on ESPN. It will be the first meeting between the schools since 1986.
• Alabama coach Nick Saban says injured tailback Roy Upchurch and receiver Julio Jones have made significant improvement. Upchurch sustained a high ankle sprain on the opening series against Florida International. Jones bruised his right knee early in the game. But Saban said Wednesday he doesn't know if either will play Saturday against North Texas.
