Greg Cote’s hot button topics: Dolphins, Canes, Hoops I, Hoops II

Miami must win a bleepin’ division game! The worst part of the Dolphins’ 3-4 record is the 0-3 in AFC East games — losses by a combined score of 104-35. Sunday at Buffalo gives Miami another crack at a division win. It also gives interim coach Dan Campbell a chance to lift his bandwagon out of that shallow ditch and get it rolling again.

A week after contested miracle at Duke, UM hosts Virginia: Win, lose or draw, Saturday’s game against Virginia provides a reason to stop thinking about, bragging about, complaining about or otherwise talking about last week’s controversial win at Duke.

Season’s longest homestand set to begin: Miami is home for a season-high seven consecutive games starting Sunday against Chris Bosh’s ex, Toronto. Will three-point specialist Gerald Green, following this week’s bizarre episode, be rejoining his team for this — or any — homestand?

Canes men, women tip off seasons this week: It’s a soft opening — ACC games don’t start for a while — as the Canes open at home Friday with Jim Larrañaga’s men against UT-Rio Grande Valley and Katie Meier’s women against Wright State. Both UM teams are said to be good, but we’ll take that to mean NIT-good until more faith is earned.

Are these the same old Panthers or what!? A hot start encouraged talk about a playoff season, but the Cats were 5-8 with four consecutive losses entering Saturday. Florida is back home Tuesday as fans wonder if all that “new and improved” talk is false advertising.