The College Football Playoff run by the Miami Hurricanes will be something not soon forgotten by the program, despite falling short in the national championship game against the Indiana Hoosiers.
The Hurricanes, who barely made the field thanks to a head-to-head Week 1 win over Notre Dame finally carrying weight, entered selection day ranked No. 10. What awaited them was arguably the most treacherous path of any team in the 12-team field.
Miami went on the road and beat Texas A&M at Kyle Field. They outplayed last year’s champions, Ohio State, in the Cotton Bowl. They crushed Ole Miss’ title hopes on a late, game-winning drive in the Fiesta Bowl. But they couldn’t upend Indiana’s team of destiny — even on their home field at Hard Rock Stadium.
Beyond the Hurricanes’ miraculous playoff run, one image that stood out throughout the postseason was Miami legend Michael Irvin on the sideline for every game.
Irvin was constantly seen hyping up his alma mater, at times encouraging players before and after plays. He almost became the program’s unofficial mascot during the run.
But while his energy served as fuel when Miami was winning, opposing fans were always waiting for the moment things didn’t go the Hurricanes’ way — which ultimately came in the national title game.
Michael Irvin Denied Indiana Fans to Take Pics With Him
Irvin recently became part of a new video podcast series on Netflix with his show “The White House.” On a recent episode, the former Hurricanes star opened up about how he handled the loss, openly admitting he was a “sore loser.”
“I’m hurting, I’m tired,” Irvin said. “And even when I was leaving the game, you know, people would take pictures and want to take pictures. I got all of the Indiana fans, ‘Michael, Michael, Michael, wait, can we take a picture?’
“Hell no, you ain’t getting no pic with me, to remind yourself of beating me.”
Irvin compared the situation to jersey swaps between players after games. He admitted he’d be willing to swap jerseys if he won, but never after a loss.
“So, I ain’t take no pics with no Indiana fans. Don’t take it personally, I’m sorry. I just couldn’t give you that memory. There’s no way. You got the championship — be happy with that,” Irvin said.
“I know you’re talking, ‘Oh, he’s a sore loser.’ Hell yeah, I’m a sore loser. Sorry, I am that. But that’s why I won so much.”
Michael Irvin Spoofed on SNL
Two days before the CFP National Championship, Irvin was spoofed on Saturday Night Live during the Weekend Update segment with Michael Che. Comedian Kam Patterson portrayed the Hurricanes legend, wearing the signature Miami shirt Irvin had been seen sporting on the sidelines throughout the postseason.
“If you see an angry, 60-year-old man running down Highway 95, well over the speed limit with bugs all over his face and an ass full of police tranquilizer darts, you better get out of the way,” Patterson joked while portraying Irvin.
It probably wasn’t the attention Irvin was hoping for. Then again, it says something about both his personality and the renewed visibility of Miami football.
Despite The U’s loss to Indiana, the prevailing belief is that the program is back where it belongs. Whether that means another national championship run — or another Michael Irvin spoof on SNL — remains to be seen.
Michael Irvin Admits He Was a ‘Sore Loser’ After Miami’s CFP Championship Loss