As of 2010 (5 years ago), a Hurricanes’ win with colored-helmets has yet to be seen.

The Canes have always been modest when it came to tampering with the “U” on their helmets (and well, they ought to be). However, in 2010, against the Virginia Tech Hokies, the Hurricanes donned an all-green helmet with a black face-mask. And, unfortunately, they fell to the Hokies, 31-17.

Just a fluke, right?

3 years later, against the same opponent (Va-Tech), Miami modeled an alternative helmet to be combined with a uniform entitled, “Smoke” – the helmet was white with some grayish coloring on the bottom/rear of the helmet, a charcoal face-mask and an oversized shiny “U” decal. Nevertheless, once again, the Canes fell to the same fate – a loss to the Hokies, 42-24.

Later that year, the Hurricanes faced the Louisville Cardinals in the Russell Athletic Bowl and decided to give the “Smoke” helmets another try. The outcome? A beating by the Cardinals, 36-9.

Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports

The following year in 2014, with alternative uniforms becoming the norm, attracting top high school recruits to football programs across the country (thank you, Oregon), the Miami Hurricanes unveiled a series of new uniforms and helmets (in conjunction with Nike) to spice up their outer appearance and in a sense, re-brand. I have to admit, I thought the unis looked quite sharp, including the new helmet looks – a shiny orange or green helmet, which had the ibis shadowed on each side, gray face-masks and the “U” decal blown up a little larger.

Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

However, whenever the Canes strapped an alternative helmet to their heads, it was stamping a guaranteed loss to their record.

The opening game against the Louisville Cardinals, the Hurricanes tried their new green helmets and well, a loss, 31-13. When they played Georgia Tech, again wearing the green helmets, another loss, 28-17. Then, the Hurricanes had to face their in-state rivals, FSU, and tried on their new orange helmets…a gut-wrenching loss, 30-26. Finally, Miami faced-off against South Carolina in the Duck Commander Independence Bowl and decided to throw on those same green helmets…and again…a loss, 24-21.

Bottom line, since 2010, when the Miami Hurricanes wear an alternative helmet they’re 7 for 7 in the loss-column. Superstition or fact? All I can say is: next time I witness the Canes running out through the smoke wearing anything other than a white helmet, I’ll need a cold-towel to soak up my nervous-induced, sweaty temples and forehead!

*Note: The last time the Miami Hurricanes wore an alternative helmet (and won) was against North Carolina in 2005 where they brought back their 1965-1970 gold helmets.