Q: Can the Miami Hurricanes work new magic in their new stadium next year under head coach Randy Shannon?
— M. Hughes, Los Angeles
A: It looks like Miami is facing a major rebuilding job, so the magic might be slow in coming. By all accounts, Randy Shannon and his staff are doing well in recruiting. Good thing. The Hurricanes need an influx of playmakers at nearly every position.

Most of all, the Hurricanes need a quarterback. Kyle Wright and Kirby Freeman just haven’t gotten it done, giving Miami a lack of presence at the position that the program probably hasn’t seen since the 1970s.

Robert Marve, a newcomer from Tampa who is taking a redshirt season after a summertime car accident, could be the answer. He was Florida’s Mr. Football in 2006 and threw a state-record 48 touchdown passes as a senior. But even with Marve around, there’s a blinking “help wanted’’ sign behind center, and Miami should be interested in all highly ranked players.

As for the new stadium?

Well, it’s going to be different. The Orange Bowl was a large part of Miami’s mystique through the glory years. It was an intimidating din, and probably worth up to 10 points on some of those big-game nights. Dolphin Stadium is comfortable, suburban, antiseptic. Even the Miami Dolphins haven’t been the same since leaving the Orange Bowl after the 1986 season. The Hurricanes won’t be the same, either. But with Miami located in the middle of such a fertile recruiting ground, the Hurricanes can get back on their feet rather quickly. Realistically, I’d give Miami a shot at the ACC title by 2009.

Q: With a change seemingly imminent at Nebraska after the season, who would you guess would be the front runner for the job? Turner Gill? Bo Pelini? What about bringing Frank Solich back?
— Eric, Waverly, Iowa
A: My guess is Bo Pelini. He understands the Nebraska culture, having worked there. He’s the defensive coordinator at LSU, and could be part of a national-championship effort. Nebraska’s defense has been horrendous. Fixing that unit is job No. 1, even beyond the offensive philosophies (Return to the running-game roots? Or develop a spread or some other 21^st century method of moving the ball).

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Turner Gill, the former Cornhusker quarterback and head coach at Buffalo, has the most glamorous name, but I’m still inclined to go with Pelini’s experience and coaching pedigree.

It was a mistake to fire Frank Solich after a 9-3 record. That ship has sailed. It’s natural to embrace any part of Tom Osborne’s legacy, but it’s logically time for Nebraska to seek a long-term leader who can lead the Cornhuskers to a new era of prominence.

Q: Why isn’t anyone talking about West Virginia as a contender? They only have one loss, too. If Missouri beats Kansas and Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game, and LSU loses in the SEC title game, then why not Oregon-West Virginia?
— Tony Davis, Charlotte, N.C.
A: Actually, I think you just made a good argument for Missouri in the title game. It would be awfully difficult to deny the Tigers if they defeat unbeaten Kansas, then avenge their only loss with a victory against potential 11-1 Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship Game.

Without a playoff, the argument between potential 12-1 Missouri and potential 11-1 West Virginia is like splitting hairs.

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Missouri is ahead of West Virginia right now because that’s the way the polls (and computer rankings) have fallen. Given Missouri’s potential for a string of nice victories (Kansas State, Kansas and maybe Oklahoma) and West Virginia’s so-so remaining slate in the Big East (Cincinnati, Connecticut, Pittsburgh), the Tigers have a much greater upside (and don’t forget, they also have a season-opening non-conference win against Illinois).

If your scenario actually happens, we’ll see how it evolves. But I have a feeling that West Virginia will wind up 11-1 with a spot in the Fiesta Bowl — and it will still be kicking itself over the six-turnover 21-13 loss at South Florida on Sept. 28. For that matter, a potential 11-1 Ohio State team will be pitching its case, too, touting wins against Penn State, Wisconsin and Michigan.

A playoff system is the best way to settle an argument between one-loss teams.

With the BCS, it becomes a train wreck.

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