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ACC preseason poll ranks Miami highly but lower than Clemson

The Miami Hurricanes were picked second in the ACC’s preseason media poll.
ByPatrick Previty|
Nov 30, 2024; Syracuse, New York, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal looks on prior to the game against the Syracuse Orange at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images
Nov 30, 2024; Syracuse, New York, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal looks on prior to the game against the Syracuse Orange at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images | Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

The Miami Hurricanes were picked second in the ACC’s preseason media poll, trailing only Clemson, according to the results released following ACC Media Day. Clemson secured 167 first‑place votes and totaled 3,083 points, while Miami garnered seven first‑place votes and 2,679 points in the media balloting.

This projection places the Hurricanes atop the ACC standings, with the Mustangs of SMU in third (two first‑place votes, 2,612 points), Georgia Tech in fourth (two first‑place votes), Louisville fifth, Duke sixth and Florida State seventh, despite FSU receiving four first‑place votes. The full poll lists North Carolina, Pittsburgh, NC State, Virginia Tech, Syracuse, Boston College, Virginia, Cal, Wake Forest and Stanford behind them.

At ACC Media Days, Miami was represented by Head Coach Mario Cristobal, quarterback Carson Beck, offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa, linebacker Wesley Bissanthe, and edge rusher Ahkeem Mesidor. The team is widely expected to contend for the conference title after finishing third in the ACC in 2024 and missing out on both the ACC championship game and the College Football Playoff, in part due to late-season losses to Georgia Tech and Syracuse.

Cristobal, entering his fourth season with Miami, led the program to its first 10-win season since 2017 in 2024, and guided them to defeating all in-state rivals which is something they hadn’t achieved since 2004.

Quarterback Carson Beck, who transferred in from Georgia, meets significant expectations. He faces pressure to step in after fellow former No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward departed for the NFL. Miami’s offense includes standout options such as Mauigoa on the offensive line, while the defense is led by Mesidor and linebacker Bissanthe, with several preseason All‑ACC mentions earned by Hurricanes players.

Analysts note that Miami enters the season with one of the ACC’s strongest rosters, though some skepticism remains given the program’s track record of not consistently fulfilling expectations. Critics point to a demanding opening schedule (with nonconference games against Notre Dame, Florida and Florida State) alongside tough ACC matchups versus Louisville and SMU as potential pitfalls to a high ceiling.

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