NCAA set to rule Tuesday on Miami football case

The University of Miami football program’s long nightmare might be over.

Or will it?

The NCAA has announced it will finally make a ruling on the Miami case Tuesday morning.

The NCAA has alleged 72 players received more than $170,000 from former booster Nevin Shapiro.

Miami met with the NCAA Committee on Infractions in June and was expected to hear the final verdict in six to eight weeks. The case has lingered for months and hovered over Al Golden’s football program.

Golden took the Miami job three years ago unaware that sanctions might be forthcoming.

Miami could receive sanctions in addition to the two-year bowl ban and suspensions that the school imposed on itself after the original story broke.

The Hurricanes (6-0) have done a good job dealing with the NCAA distraction this year as they were ranked No. 7 in the first BCS standings.

The ruling could affect this year’s BCS race if Miami receives any additional post-season penalties. The Hurricanes became bowl eligible with last Thursday’s win over North Carolina.

Ohio State finished 12-0 last year but was ineligible for post-season play because of NCAA sanctions.

USC fans will be watching closely to see how the NCAA deals with Miami. The Trojans were handed a two-year bowl ban and the loss of 30 scholarships as a result of sanctions handed down in the Reggie Bush case.

USC felt those sanctions were excessive but was recently denied a request to reduce some of the scholarship penalties.

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