The Miami Hurricanes are ranked 18th in the Associated Press College Football Media Poll released Monday. That matches UM’s ranking in the USA Today Media Poll.
The ranking in the preseason polls this year is the first for the Miami Hurricanes in a preseason since 2010. They also moved up two spots from their final ranking of 20th in the final poll of last season.
Miami is one of five teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference to be ranked in the top 25. Florida State is third, Clemson fifth, Louisville 16th, and Virginia Tech 21st. Miami avoids Clemson and Louisville on their schedule for the second straight season.
Miami will travel to Florida State on September 16 for the ACC opener. They host Virginia Tech on November 11 in what could be the biggest game of the season. The winner of that game should seize control of the ACC Coastal Division.
The Miami Hurricanes are the favorite to win the Coastal this season. A lot of that is hosting Virginia Tech. The media picked them to win the Coastal in a vote of ACC media last month.
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Miami is coming off of a 9-4 season and their first bowl victory in ten seasons last year. The Hurricanes return 15 starters from last year. The biggest question mark is who is going to be the starting quarterback.
Head Coach Mark Richt is expected to name his starter tomorrow. He said he will tell the quarterback room tomorrow, but was not sure if he would let the media know or not. Junior Malik Rosier who backed up Brad Kaaya the last two season is expected to be the starter.
Richt and some of the players discussed the positives of being ranked to begin the season. Richt said of his team’s preseason rankings.
"“It’s a popularity poll right now. No one really knows for sure and they base it on returning starters and how you finished last year…If you tend to win a bowl game, you’re more apt to get ranked in the fall. That’s pretty typical. It does, like you said, matter most at the end. But I’m not mad that we’re ranked. I think that’s good for us.”"
A preseason ranking is the latest step in Richt’s rebuilding process of the Miami football program. A few of the players are also excited about their Miami Hurricanes spot in the top 25. Sophomore linebacker Zach McCloud mention that his team’s spot in the top 25 is a good gauge of where they are compared to other things.
"“It’s a good way to gauge the way we’ve been working…It’s a nice result to have, but top-20 isn’t really going to do it. At least top five, that’s what we’re working for, No. 1. I feel like we have a team willing to put in the work to get there. Nothing’s set in stone, nothing’s for sure right now, but I think the work ethic we have on this team is something I’ve never been a part of before. It’s great to see.”"
Graduate transfer cornerback Dee Delaney is expected to be an NFL Draft pick next spring. He will be one of the starters in his only year at Miami. He said it shows the hard work his team has put in. They will continue to work harder and hope to rise in the rankings.
"“For these guys, I know it means a lot to them. But we’re going to try and rise in the rankings even more. … We’re just trying to get better each and every day.”"
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The Hurricanes should stay about the same after their first two games. Miami hosts Bethune-Cookman in the season opener. They travel to Arkansas State week two. Week three is likely to be Miami’s biggest test of the season. That’s the Nationally televised ABC prime-time game of the week against the Seminoles.