Like all the best mythology, Tyler Van Dyke's origin story is grounded in truth, but the details took on a life of their own.

It was October 2021, and Miami was 2-4, teetering on the brink of a lost season, and Van Dyke -- the starter at quarterback by default after veteran D'Eriq King was lost to injury -- said something foolish. Or, perhaps, brilliant. At the time, it could've gone either way.

"Yeah, NC State has a great defense," he told local reporters in the run up to the Hurricanes' game against the then No. 18 Wolfpack. "That doesn't matter. They're still the same guys we played last year. We put up 44 points on them. We feel really confident."

Confidence might be one way to put it. Ignorance might be another.

Van Dyke was set to make just his third career start. In the first two, he'd completed less than half his throws. The most recent game, a loss to North Carolina, ended with three interceptions. Who was this guy talking smack on anyone, let alone a ranked NC State?

The quote caught fire and, soon enough, NC State had its bulletin board material and Van Dyke became Enemy No. 1.

The next day, then-head coach Manny Diaz held a team meeting. On the board at the front of the room was Van Dyke's quote. Fighting words, he said. The QB picked the fight, now Miami, a team that had been among the most disappointing in the country, had to have his back.