Yes, the hope for a national championship is gone. So too is the nation's longest home winning streak. As well as the road and regular-season win streaks, which vanished the week before.
And, yes, the Big East title is in serious doubt.
But, hey, at least the Hurricanes still have attitude.
That seems important to them, you know. This reputation for being tough guys. This perception that they are badder than the rest.
So they still have that.
Even if all else is lost.
Miami has gone and traded success for style. It has kept its renegade image even as it slips in the rankings. The Hurricanes have outplayed successive opponents and lost both games because they could not control themselves.
"You don't win a lot of games against good teams like that," tackle Eric Winston said.
So why do they do it?
Why do they get nailed for 15-yard penalties five times? Why does their quarterback continually push the envelope? Why does their All-American tight end have to act as if the world keeps intruding on his stage?
If you ask, they'll say they need the edge. If you press, they might suggest they thrive on emotion.
Okay, so how about regret? Or perhaps embarrassment? Either would fit nicely this morning.
"We had 12 penalties for 121 yards," coach Larry Coker said. "That's just unforgivable."
A week ago, the Hurricanes gained 158 yards more than Virginia Tech. And lost. On Saturday, they gained 151 yards more than Tennessee. And lost.
When it was done, they could not leave the Orange Bowl sideline quickly enough. Their heads were down and their pace was quick. No need to walk to midfield to offer congratulations to the Vols. Which, I suppose, makes sense. The 'Canes already had offered Tennessee the victory.
Later in the locker room, quarterback Brock Berlin sat in his cubicle with a towel pressed to his lips. If only Kellen Winslow had as much sense.
Winslow grew increasingly agitated and sounded remarkably clueless as he blasted referees and showed no concern for an injured Tennessee player. His tirade was the perfect symbol for this team. Winslow is a remarkable talent, but is so wrapped up in his self-image that he hurts his team.
Winslow complained referees were constantly warning him about unsportsmanlike conduct. Then he complained when he was penalized for it.
"Hell, yeah, they were looking at me," Winslow said. "I can't even get hyped up. I can't even hype up our crowd."
Winslow caught the attention of officials after leveling safety Corey Campbell with a third-quarter block, then appearing to taunt him. He did not think a warning was necessary and wasn't big on sympathy either.
"I don't give a flying you-know-what about a Vol," Winslow said. "He'd do the same thing to me. It's war. They don't give a freaking you-know-what about you. They'll kill you. They're out to kill you. It's you or them.
"I'm a (expletive) soldier."
A soldier who apparently has trouble following orders. Coker warned players during the week that SEC officials are strict about taunting and would call penalties. He reminded them again before the game.
Yet Winslow was called for a critical unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the fourth quarter, one of three personal fouls by the Hurricanes.
"They called nothing on (Tennessee)," Winslow said. "It's b.s. man. I hate the refs."
This is not a new theme at UM. The 'Canes have, off and on, been the bad boys of college football for more than a decade. It is an image they often perpetuate and always embrace. Cornerback Antrel Rolle was suspended for Saturday after fighting at Virginia Tech last week and Winslow could face suspension next week for his outburst.
This tough-guy stuff plays well when they are winning, but looks silly when they are down. And this Miami team is simply not good enough to pull it off.
The offense lacks flair. Berlin makes too many mistakes. Running back Jarrett Payton is not a gamebreaker. In four of their past five games, the Hurricanes have been held to one offensive touchdown or fewer.
If Miami is to win, it has to play smarter. It has to depend on its defense and scale back its offense. It has to eliminate turnovers and show more discipline.
Mostly, the 'Canes need to accept responsibility.
This loss was not caused by officials. It was not dictated by the Volunteers. Miami was responsible for the outcome because it could not, or would not, play within the rules.
Winslow would disagree. He would tell you officials are out to knock him and teammates down a peg.
