Brett Romberg was showing off his championship ring, a gaudy piece of jewelry he and his Miami teammates picked up after winning the national title last season.

“I hope to have another one of these next year, by the way,” the Hurricanes’ center said of the $800 gold ring with a “Perfect Storm” inscription signifying last season’s 12-0 record.

At Miami, the talk is of national title repeat, not Big East Conference champion repeat. So what if the Hurricanes had 11 players drafted by the NFL five in the first round? Miami has star power nearly everywhere, beginning at quarterback with Ken Dorsey, among the preseason Heisman Trophy favorites.

“If there’s a better quarterback you know of, I’d like you to tell me who it is,” Syracuse coach Paul Pasqualoni said. “They’ll be a great team. They’ll be among the elite of college football again.”

Miami is the No. 1 preseason pick in both the AP media poll and the USA Today/ESPN coaches poll. The Hurricanes own the nation’s longest winning streak 22 games and are heavy favorites to take another Big East crown.

The goal, of course, is the Bowl Championship Series’ title game the Fiesta Bowl at Tempe, Ariz., on Jan. 3.

“We’re all here to win a championship,” undefeated coach Larry Coker said as he begins his second season. “This is a new year. This is us. We’re going to be remembered for what we do this year.”

On defense, the ‘Canes are led by linebacker Jonathan Vilma and linemen William Joseph and Jerome McDougle.

The Hurricanes aren’t a lock, though, not with sleeper Boston College out to avenge last year’s near miss and Syracuse and Virginia Tech always a threat. Miami’s close calls last season came at BC (18-7) and at Virginia Tech (26-24).

Look for coach Tom O’Brien’s BC Eagles to soar under fiery quarterback Brian St. Pierre, who led the league with 25 touchdown passes last season two more than Dorsey.

Don’t discount coach Frank Beamer’s 16th-ranked Hokies, either. Although quarterback Grant Noel’s healing left knee has him iffy as the season nears, Tech has perhaps the nation’s best running back tandem in Lee Suggs recovered from a knee injury and Kevin Jones, who ran for 957 yards as Suggs’ replacement.

Team capsules, in predicted order of finish:

MIAMI: Despite losing seven offensive starters, the ‘Canes have capable replacements to complement Dorsey (2,652 yards, 23 TDs) Carlos Joseph and Vernon Carey at the tackles, Willis McGahee and hopefully a healthy Frank Gore in October at RB and Kellen Winslow Jr., son of NFL Hall of Famer Kellen Winslow, at TE.

BOSTON COLLEGE: With St. Pierre, the Eagles should pass more this season with the loss of star RB William Green. However, RB Derrick Knight could turn into a pleasant surprise. C Dan Koppen anchors a solid line protecting St. Pierre (2,016 yards, 25 TDs).

VIRGINIA TECH: Hokies hopes hinge on health of Noel and Suggs. Without a star WR, Suggs and Jones could see plenty of action … Bryan Randall and freshman Marcus Vick brother of Michael are the backup QBs … Defense that usually ranks among the nation’s best has six new starters.

SYRACUSE: Orangemen finally set at QB with R.J. Anderson (1,123 yards passing, 245 yards rushing). Other than C Nick Romeo, the rest of the offensive starters are new … DE Dwight Freeney is gone, but six defensive starters return, including LB Clinton Smith.

PITTSBURGH: Panthers ended ’01 on a six-game winning streak, and return eight starters on offense. QB David Priestley and WR Antonio Bryant aren’t among them.

TEMPLE: Owls going to a spread offense, and could scare a few opponents as nine starters return, including WR Sean Dillard …Watch for a big season from RB Tanardo Sharps.

WEST VIRGINIA: QB Rasheed Marshall must adjust to the spread offense or the Mountaineers are in for another long season even with RB Avon Cobourne returning.

RUTGERS: Coach Greg Schiano’s second season unlikely to be worse than his first (2-9). Yes, the Scarlet Knights have 16 starters back from last season, but that may not be a good thing … An experienced Ryan Cubit returns for his sophomore season at QB, and the best player is TE L.J. Smith.