Top 25 in 25: Miami Football Season Preview

Photo via si.com

We’re counting down the final 25 days before the college football season by previewing every one of our preseason top 25 teams! With 17 days left until week zero, we continue our previews with my No. 17 team in the country – the Miami Hurricanes.

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Projected Record: 9-3 (6-2)

Ceiling/Floor: 11-1/6-6

Projected Wins: Notre Dame, Bethune-Cookman, South Florida, Florida State, Louisville, Stanford, Syracuse, NC State, Pittsburgh

Projected Losses: Florida, SMU, Virginia Tech

Most Intriguing Game: Notre Dame (Week 1)

Miami is coming off its best season to this point under head coach Mario Cristobal, but defensive struggles all season long and losses in three of its final four games still has fans questioning if the Hurricanes can take that next step. But if the defense can improve and it can find a way to win on the road against SMU or Virginia Tech, Cristobal’s squad could have a good chance at reaching the playoff in 2025.

Even with the addition of Georgia transfer quarterback Carson Beck, it’s going to be hard to replace the talent, production and explosive playmaking of first overall draft pick Cam Ward in 2025. The Hurricanes also have two other big-time losses at skill positions from a year ago, in running back Damien Martinez and wide receiver Xavier Restrepo, so they’ll have to find some playmakers to help fill that production at the start of the season. It’ll help having maybe the best offensive line in the ACC though, especially with a QB who’s not as mobile like Beck.

Despite the offense likely taking at least a small step back this year, the expectation is that the defense takes a step forward from giving up an abysmal 31 points per game last season with new defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman from Minnesota. Hetherman produced the No. 12 defense in the country last year, according to my SNAP Ratings, so if he can even get close to replicating that with the Hurricanes this year, watch out.

Unlike last season, we’ll be able to see this Miami team get tested early as they host Notre Dame in week one. Although I think the Irish will be the better team this season, I have the Hurricanes winning that week one game at home because of the experience advantage Beck has over whoever Notre Dame’s starting quarterback will be, and I believe Cristobal will have the team fired up to start the season after the disappointing finish to 2024.

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