Why the stars could be aligning for No. 4 Miami after undefeated start

Why this Miami team could be different

The Hurricanes have failed to make the College Football Playoff since its inception in 2014 and have only won 10 games once (2024) in head coach Mario Cristobal’s three seasons at the program, so it was hard to know what to expect from them entering the season.

Miami has not won a title since 2001, so why could this version of the Hurricanes be different than those since that last championship? For starters, Beck has been exceptional through three games so far, going 23-of-28 for 340 yards and four total touchdowns against South Florida.

Running back Mark Fletcher Jr. (272 yards, four TDs) and wide receivers Malachi Toney (228 yards, one TD), CJ Daniels (175 yards, three TDs) and Keelan Marion (117 yards) have been key contributors to Miami’s offense, but its success has not resided entirely on that side of the ball.

Notre Dame may be 0-2 after its most recent loss to then No. 16 Texas A&M, but it put up 40 points in that game, opposed to just 24 against the Hurricanes. In that opener back on Aug. 31, Miami forced two turnovers and only allowed seven points through three quarters before the Fighting Irish put up 17 in the fourth.

That type of balance, especially the improvement from a defense that was tied for 70th last season in points per game allowed (26.7 PPG), per TeamRankings, is why ESPN college football analyst Greg McElroy has the Hurricanes ranked No. 1 in his latest rankings and believes “they’re on a mission.”

Assuming it takes care of business when it faces its in-state foe on Saturday, Miami’s biggest test of the season will likely come on Oct. 4 when it travels to take on No. 7 Florida State. Nothing is ever a guarantee, especially in college football, where surprises tend to be a major storyline each week.

However, Miami’s schedule is certainly favorable after its two in-state meetings the next two games. If it can get through those unscathed, or at the very least, lose no more than one game the rest of the way, Miami should be in a good spot to make the CFP.

Anything can happen between now and then, but the Hurricanes have been impressive so far and look poised to capitalize on their success up to this point.