Just Call It Erickson U.

The Miami offense may not be quite as pretty to watch as Johnson's attack, but it will be efficient. Last season Washington State finished third in the nation in total offense, Cougar quarterback Timm Rosenbach led the country in passing efficiency, and running back Steve Broussard led the Pac-10 in rushing. With even better athletes, the Hurricanes could run up some monster numbers. "It's a control passing game," says Craig Erickson. "You carve away at the defense, and when the opportunity [to go long] presents itself, you take it."

"This offense is dump off, dump off, dump off, take off," says Hill. "The Bomb Squad is still intact. People across America don't have to worry."

They can leave that to Dennis and his wife, Marilyn—and whatever's left of their stomach linings. Marilyn woke up on the morning of last season's Washington State-Arizona State game with an ulcer, and she now brings Maalox to every game. Erickson routinely loses his breakfast before games, and once, while at Idaho, he hyperventilated so badly during a halftime speech that he fainted in front of his troops.

If he puts on that much of a show to get a team roused for Montana State, what will he do when his Hurricanes play Notre Dame? Set his pants on fire? No one knows. In Miami, the fans are just hoping he sticks around long enough for them to find out.