The Miami Hurricanes have heard the question for the past 20 years.
Every time they build some momentum, folks start to ponder: Is The U back? This year is no exception. The `Canes are off to a 3-0 start entering today's game against the Florida State.
Media personality Bomani Jones was the latest to chime in on his The Right Time podcast. Jones said it's too early to make that claim of the Hurricanes being back on the level of their glory days.
"Well, no because it's kind of like when people say, `Is Texas back?' I'm like, `they're gonna win 10 games nine years in a row,"' Jones said. "You're not going to establish that in a year. Like Texas is good as they were last year. That is not an establishment of back-ness."
Jones was, however, overly complimentary of the job coach Mario Cristobal has done
"What I find interesting about Cristobal coaching that team is that he is like the forgotten scion of (Nick) Saban because he's not in the SEC," Jones said. "What makes it interesting is for me is that Cristobal is a `Cane first of all. But he is absolutely a Saban guy, which is Compton and Long Beach together now you know you in trouble. You're putting together two of the most dominating traditions that you've had."
Jones pointed out how the dangerous combo of Saban and the Hurricanes' talent pool could lead to contending for the national championship in the future. Cristobal was on Saban's staff at Alabama from 2013-16.
"The biggest difference to me between Mario and the Saban guys is they are known much more for being the tacticians than Mario is. And that is not what Mario is giving you but Mario is getting them boys and they gonna line up and they got some access to some cash. The Miami football program has never been based on out-scheming you. So you take a great offensive line coach and put him in the fastest state in the country and you have a chance to really make something happen."
The Hurricanes have yet to earn a signature win but looked impressive last week against South Florida, which defeated the Gators the previous week. So Saturday could tell a lot about how far this team can go this season.
Shandel Richardson is the publisher of MiamiRoundtable. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com