By Mark Schmetzer
Enquirer contributor

Mike Watson won't project the winner of a matchup between the 1974 Miami Redskins and the 2003 Miami RedHawks football teams, but he is sure of one thing.

"That would be a heck of a ballgame," Miami's associate athletic director said. "That's one I would like to see."

The dominance displayed by this year's RedHawks, on their way to a 9-1 record and No. 18 ranking in the Associated Press poll, has many Miami followers asking a provocative question.

Is this Miami's best team ever? Better than the 1973 Redskins, who finished 11-0 and No. 15? Better than the '74 team, which was 10-0-1 and a best-ever No. 10? Better than the 11-1 and 12th-ranked '75 squad?

How about the 1955 team, Ara Parseghian's last as Miami's coach? Those Redskins went 9-0 and allowed just 47 points in nine games.

The standard was set by the 1970s teams, which habitually upset bigger-name programs and won three consecutive Tangerine Bowls. They were a combined 32-1-1 overall and went 16-0 in conference play while winning three consecutive Mid-American Conference championships.

The 2003 RedHawks can match the program's single-season wins record by winning their last two regular-season games, including Saturday at Ohio. They can smash it by winning the MAC championship game and a bowl game. They have overwhelmed a highly regarded non-league opponent (Colorado State) on its home field, a Big Ten team (Northwestern) on its home field and their top two MAC opponents (Bowling Green and Marshall) by a combined score of 78-16.

The '70s teams won their games, but the scores usually were much closer. How do they match up with the 2003 RedHawks? Richard Shrider, who was Miami's athletic director from 1964-89, believes it's too early to compare.

"This team isn't done yet," said Shrider. "The other teams' records are completed. We know where they stand."

Watson played offensive tackle from 1974-76. He said he believes this year's team has more overall talent than his teams, primarily because NCAA scholarship limits have leveled the recruiting playing field. He has only to look at one position to see the difference. Passer Steve Sanna and option runner Sherman Smith shared the quarterback duties in 1973 and '74. Ben Roethlisberger handles both now.

So, who would win? This year's team seems similar to those 1970s squads used to upset, but Watson wouldn't go that far.

"On paper, we shouldn't have won, but the games aren't played on paper," he said with a smile.