His eight touchdowns average more than 65 yards. It is no coincidence that in Miami's only defeat, at Washington on Sept. 9, Moss was limping with an ankle injury. In the complex computer voodoo of the Bowl Championship Series rankings, the Hurricanes are ranked third, one spot behind Florida State, whom Miami beat. The Hurricanes must run the table with impressive wins over Pitt, Syracuse and Boston College and then hope. There are plausible scenarios in which Miami is ranked No. 1 in at least one poll and doesn't play in the national title game in the Orange Bowl.
Nothing is guaranteed, except the restoration of a team's image.
Reed intercepted quarterback Dave Meyer's next throw at the Tech 44 and ran it in for the Hurricanes' final touchdown. His score came in the same end zone where Miami players ripped off their helmets and leaped into the stands, before the NCAA legislated such behavior into oblivion, at least theoretically. Reed snapped off his helmet two steps across the goal line and was mobbed by teammates. The obligatory 15-yard penalty was assessed for excessive celebration, with another 15 tacked on when fans littered the field with oranges. It was vintage Miami.