The Miami football team is ranked 12th in the preseason rankings by longtime college football expert Phil Steele. Brad Crawford of 247 Sports posted the top 40 ranked by Steele and analyzed the top 16 teams. Miami is fourth among the programs nationally that hired a new head coach during the 2022 offseason.
Mario Cristobal is one of several high-profile head coaches leading new programs in 2022. Tenth-ranked Oregon, number eight Oklahoma and Notre Dame who is seventh are the programs with new head coaches ranked ahead of Miami. The expectations in Coral Gables are high with Cristobal as the head coach.
Miami returns 14 starters and Cristobal and his staff have been busy in the seven-plus months since leaving Oregon to return home. Miami has added 11 transfers to its roster since Cristobal was hired in December. Cristobal helped Miami improve its 2022 recruiting class from the 70s when he was hired to finishing 16th.
The 2023 class is off to an exceptional start with an average of ninth across the various recruiting websites. Miami is the third highest-ranked team in the ACC per Steele’s rankings. Steele ranks Clemson fourth and Pittsburgh 11th. Miami and Pittsburgh should be the co-favorites in the ACC Coastal Division for 2022.
"12. MIAMI HURRICANES247Sports preseason ranking: N/A(247 analysis) “It’s time to start believing in Miami under Mario Cristobal. Now that we haven’t, but the Hurricanes were the “first team out” in our post-spring top 25 rankings, a poll that’s sure to change heading into fall given this program’s summer buzz.Cristobal has landed several elite prospects for the 2023 class and beyond this month and appears to be building a monster in the ACC. With quarterback Tyler Van Dyke this fall, Miami could challenge Clemson, Pittsburgh and N.C. State for the conference crown, Steele says.Miami’s talent level is impressive for a team with a first-year coach.”"
North Carolina State is ranked 13th in the Steele top 40. Van Dyke will help set the foundation for the 2022 Miami football team. How well the wide receivers perform and a needed upgrade running the football will be critical for Miami on offense. The Miami defense should be improved.
Cristobal hired experienced coaches Kevin Steele and Charlie Strong as the new Miami co-defensive coordinators. Strong is also the Miami linebackers coach. Miami needs far better consistency and production from its LBs in 2022. The 11 transfers should play a critical role for Miami, especially on defense.