Miami Football: Breaking Down Odds Hurricanes Will Be Bowl Eligible in 2012

Over the last few years there have been three major football teams that have received bowl bans due to NCAA infractions—North Carolina, Ohio State, and USC.

North Carolina was the latest to receive its fate when the NCAA banned them from the upcoming bowl season for taking improper benefits. In addition to the bowl ban, they have also lost 15 scholarships over the next three years.

Ohio State also learned they will be banned from this year's bowl season after eight players accepted cash and free tattoos in exchange for Buckeyes memorabilia in 2010. 

Although it seemed minimal—only $14,000 cash—the biggest problem was the fact that the coaching staff knew about it and let them play anyway.

The most severely punished program was USC back in 2010. Reports showed that Reggie Bush and his family received gifts from sports agent Lloyd Lake, starting in 2004 and going until 2006. 

Lake sued the Bushes for not paying him back $290,000 in gifts he gave to them. 

USC was placed on a four-year probation, which included vacating its last two wins of the 2004 season, the 2004 BCS Championship and all their wins from the 2005 season. 

They were also given another two-year bowl ban—in 2010 and 2011—and a loss of 30 scholarships over the next three years.

What are the chances that the Hurricanes get a bowl ban this season for the improper benefits they received? 

There are three answers to the question.

One, if the NCAA decides that the statute of limitations is not in order—in which they will investigate beyond the last four years)—then the chances of Miami getting another bowl ban this season will be extremely high.

I would guess there is a 100 percent chance they don't play in one this season, and in possibly next year as well.

The second answer is that, if they decide not to go beyond the four-year limitation, Miami will most likely be eligible this season. They skipped out on last year's bowl game in good faith to the pending investigation.

Lastly, if the NCAA doesn't make a decision before the season, which looks like that may be the case, then Miami can play in a game this year. 

The real question: will they skip the bowl game like last year?

Whether they play in a bowl game this season or not doesn't matter as I believe the Hurricanes are still a couple years from being relevant, anyway.

Let's be honest here—if it isn't the NCAA Championship bowl game, then what does it matter anyway?