Canes fans and alumni across the nation are pronouncing a return to prominence. Understandably, a big win against a ranked rival can cloud one’s judgment. Canes fans haven't had a heck of a whole lot to cheer about in recent years so any success was bound to set off this type of euphoria. 

And it’s even easier to be blinded by the calm in the eye of the storm, Jacory “B. Kool” Harris. Consistent playmakers emerged in the bodies of Graig Cooper and Travis Benjamin.

So we let Cane Nation celebrate for a whole 24 hours with a freshly won AP ranking and by getting drunk off the Jacory B. Kool-Aid. Oh, it's so sweet, like mama used to make.

But here comes the rain on the proverbial parade. It’s just one game and that game really didn’t tell an astute Canes fan much about this extremely young version of the Hurricane fraternity.

Granted FSU was ranked No. 18 in the preseason AP poll, but that doesn’t mean that the Hurricanes beat the 18th best team in the country. Even FSU coach Bobby Bowden conceded this was a “great television game” but not a clash between great teams. The chances are better that the Seminoles were grossly overrated.

But a win is a win, until you look at all the mistakes and errors that nearly cost the team the game.

And you have to start with Harris. Two ill-advised throws translated into 10 crucial points and back-breaking momentum shifts, including a pick-6 when he should have taken the sack. In big games against top opposition (see the Canes' next three games) such sophomore mistakes might not be overcome.

And how many defibrillators are on back order after seeing Harris holding his shoulder after a hit in the fourth quarter?

Then you turn to the defense, which is supposed to be the bread and butter of this team. Yes, injuries hurt the defensive line, but Ponder could have faced a bigger pass rush in the FSU school library than the one mounted by Miami. As a result, Ponder looked like a Heisman finalist while carving up the inexperienced secondary for chunks of yardage.

Don’t think we forgot about you Randy. Oh Randy! Thank Harris and an FSU dropped pass for undermining Coach Shannon’s plan to pooch and squib kick the team to a loss. If you don’t have enough faith in your return team tackle a freshman return man, then fire the special teams coach.

But at least Shannon recognizes that all of the "We're back" talk is premature and maybe a bit of an embellishment.

"It's one win," he said Tuesday. "That's all it is."