Miami Hurricanes Ranked 14th in AP Preseason Top 25 Poll

The AP preseason top 25 college football poll was released Monday and Miami opens the season ranked as the No. 14 team in the nation. Miami finished last year’s AP Poll ranked 22nd overall after finishing the season with a close 37-34 loss to Oklahoma State in the Cheez-It Bowl to cap off the 8-3 campaign.

This offseason, the Canes engaged in the #runitback campaign as they return veteran QB, D’Eriq King, leading receiver, Mike Harley Jr., the entire offensive line, and add in key transfers Charleston Rambo (WR), Deandre Johnson (DE), and Tyrique Stevenson (CB). The U had the 11th best recruiting ranking in 2021, which included five-star signees James Williams (S) and Leonard Taylor (DT). Miami also bolstered their coaching staff with the additions of DB Coach, Travaris Robinson, and DL Coach, Jess Simpson, as well as the announcement that HC, Manny Diaz, will now call defensive plays.

The AP Poll announcement comes on the heels of the Canes second scrimmage last night where King threw 12-of-16 for 124 yards, and 2 TDs. Rambo (60 yards, TD) and freshman Jacolby George (7 receptions, 127 yards, TD) hauled in the two touchdowns, while Keontra Smith amassed 4 tackles, a sack, and a pass breakup on the defensive side of the ball.

Miami opens the season against the nation’s number one team, the Alabama Crimson Tide, on September 4th at 3:30pm at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. Miami will also face the number 10-ranked team, North Carolina Tar Heels, on October 16th, in what will be a game that Miami attempts to seek vengeance from last year’s 62-26 loss - this year’s game will likely dictate the U’s ACC fate for the season. The Florida Gators are the only other ranked in-state team at 13th overall.

The only other ACC team besides UNC and Miami that appeared in the AP Top 25 were the Clemson Tigers at number three overall. Clemson is not on Miami’s regular season schedule, but if they both lead their respective division at season’s end, they would face-off in the ACC Championship in Charlotte, NC. NC State (14) (plays Miami October 23rd) and Boston College (five) also received votes (UCF received five votes).

Miami was ranked 16th in the USA Today Coaches Poll.

Full Preseason AP Top 25 Rankings Below:

1. Alabama
2. Oklahoma
3. Clemson
4. Ohio State
5. Georgia
6. Texas A&M
7. Iowa State
8. Cincinnati
9. Notre Dame
10. North Carolina
11. Oregon
12. Wisconsin
13. Florida
14. Miami
15. USC
16. LSU
17. Indiana
18. Iowa
19. Penn State
20. Washington
21. Texas
22. Coastal Carolina
23. UL Lafayette
24. Utah
25. Arizona State

Others receiving votes: Oklahoma State 107, Ole Miss 106, TCU 40, Liberty 36, Auburn 32, North Carolina State 14, Michigan 12, Northwestern 8, Boise State 7, Nevada 7, Brigham Young 6, Ball State 6, Houston 5, Boston College 5, UCF 5, West Virginia 3, UAB 2, Army 2, UCLA 2. (Bold denotes ACC team).