And the University of Miami’s decision regarding a bowl game is … stay tuned.
A day after the Hurricanes qualified for the postseason, UM officials remained silent on whether they would impose a bowl ban on the football team for the second straight season in order to soften potential NCAA sanctions in connection with the Nevin Shapiro booster scandal.
Coach Al Golden said he had a brief conversation with interim athletic director Blake James on Sunday but was not told of a final decision. James was not available for comment.
The stakes are high for the Hurricanes. With a victory Saturday against Duke (6-5, 3-4 ACC), Miami (6-5, 4-3) will be crowned champion of the ACC’s Coastal Division and earn the right to play Florida State for the conference title Dec. 1 in Charlotte, N.C. If UM opts out of the postseason, it will be ineligible to play in the ACC championship game.
“I don’t think there’s any coach that wouldn’t want the season to be extended and go as long as possible,” Golden said. “But I also understand that there’s long-term thinking that goes into the decision.”
Even if a final determination has been made, Golden might not be keen on making it public too soon. Last season, UM announced it was self-imposing a bowl ban a day after qualifying with a victory against USF. The Hurricanes followed with their poorest performance of the season — a 24-17 loss at home to a 3-8 Boston College team.
“There’s no question that had an impact on our motivation, our effectiveness and how sharp we were in that game,” Golden said.
UM’s administration might also want to wait for the result of the Duke game. If the Hurricanes win and reach the ACC championship game, the university might roll the dice on future sanctions and allow the football team to play vie for its first conference title. A loss would likely mean a third-tier bowl game for Miami and make skipping the postseason more palatable.
“Anything that’s going to allow us to move faster and choose the best path for the program, I’m all on board with,” Golden said.
It’s unknown what NCAA penalties UM might face. The school has yet to receive its notice of allegations, and sanctions are not expected until sometime in 2013.
Golden said his team, made up primarily of freshmen and sophomores, has responded to speculation of a bowl ban like “it’s business as usual. It’s been like this all year. They know what’s at stake this week against Duke.”
Noteworthy: Linebacker and special teams standout Gabe Terry, a graduate of Palm Beach Central High School, has been reinstated after sitting out UM's last two games for undisclosed disciplinary reasons.
Receiver Rashawn Scott, suspended indefinitely before the Virginia game Nov. 10, will not play against Duke, Golden said.
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