Almost precisely a year ago, in fact, we last heard these bold claims coming from University of Miami football players. Players convinced that the lean times were past and that all it took was a new coach and a courageous comment to thrust the program back to the dominant days of Michael Irvin or Gino Toretta or Ed Reed.

Last year, it was offensive lineman Derrick Morse using phrases such as ''Losing is not an option'' and actually bringing up the possibility of a national championship.

The game that followed was a thunderous reality check: Oklahoma 51, UM 13.

The remainder of the season should have been an even more humbling experience: 10 more games, six more losses.

But here comes another enormous challenge, and with it even bigger words. Not just from players but also from fans who have convinced themselves that one great recruiting class, a new coach (this time just a defensive coordinator) and a courageous comment can transform these baby Hurricanes into a Category Five: as in, good enough to beat a top-five team.

It's far too late for Jason Fox to reconsider his ''We're going to shut them up quick'' remark. And there is no taking back Xavier Shannon's claim that the Hurricanes will extend their win streak over the Gators on Saturday to seven games and ``help us reach our goal of getting to the national championship.''

TOUGH ENVIRONMENT

But with the late start Saturday -- 8 p.m. at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium -- it's not too late to really examine what kind of challenge this is to the Hurricanes. And maybe then it will be easier to see why a team that is talking such a huge game actually is a 21-point underdog.

For starters, there is the starting quarterback. It's hard to say exactly what head coach Randy Shannon could have done differently in his treatment of Robert Marve. Delaying an impending suspension for two games doesn't seem to make much sense -- unless, of course, you're Bobby Bowden.

But by following his own standards, Shannon has set up this far-from-ideal situation for his quarterback.

Marve's first snap as a collegian will be at The Swamp, one of the toughest places to play in the country. At night, when Florida Field looks like it could use a few extra light stands. With ESPN and a national audience on hand, in front of what is expected to be the largest crowd ever to witness a football game in Florida. Super Bowls don't get this many people.

Tom Brady would be nervous in that setting. Imagine how Marve will feel, if he can feel anything at all.

Then there is the simple case of recent history. There is more evidence than just the Sooners swoon that the Hurricanes haven't stood strong against ranked opponents.

In fact, dating to the disastrous 40-3 loss to LSU in the 2005 Peach Bowl, the Hurricanes are 2-9 against ranked teams, getting outscored 299-158.

LIVING IN THE PAST

That shouldn't exactly inspire confidence. Yet these Hurricanes conveniently overlook the recent past and jump immediately back to the more favorable days, when the Gators were as intimidating as lizards, and even a quarterback such as Brock Berlin was capable of leading a comeback victory against them.

The problem with that leap of logic is that the Gators are working not in the past, but in the present.

As in, they have last season's Heisman Trophy winner taking snaps at quarterback. And if the Hurricanes intend on trash-talking Tim Tebow, they may well get the Geno Hayes treatment. It was the FSU linebacker who said the Florida QB was ''going down,'' only to watch Tebow run him over like a squirrel at a busy intersection.

With Tebow as their starting quarterback, the Gators average 49.1 points at home -- that's including Auburn holding them to 17 points last season in their only home loss under Urban Meyer.

More than likely, the Gators will put up something in the neighborhood of 50 points Saturday -- kind of like when they put up 56 against Hawaii last week despite not scoring in the first and fourth quarters.

Florida also is 8-1 in ''rivalry games'' under Meyer, which, on its ledger, counts as games only against Florida State, Tennessee and Georgia. But any game that can have such a direct impact on in-state recruiting should be considered just as meaningful. And no matter what has come out of Randy Shannon's mouth this week, both coaches will be treating this game as such.

UP-AND-COMING

Mostly, though, what the Hurricanes have going against them is that their main strength normally is considered a major weakness. Any argument in favor of the Canes will start with that vaunted recruiting class and how significant a talent upgrade this year's team is.

But as Shannon pointed out when he said, ''The older players are the ones that help you win it,'' his freshman class won't be enough to make up the expansive gap currently separating the Gators and the Hurricanes.

His freshmen will provide him a handful of moments this season. But they won't get him this game.

Let last year's Oklahoma experience be a lesson. Confidence, even contrived and phony, isn't bad. It's even necessary in the brutal world of college football.

But sometimes a little dose of reality doesn't hurt, either. This would be one of those times.

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