The Miami Hurricanes enter the 2025 college football season with heightened expectations, as oddsmakers set their win total at 8.5 games, with the over favored at -188, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. This projection follows a 10-3 campaign in 2024, marking the program's best record since 2017.
Under head coach Mario Cristobal, now in his fourth year, the Hurricanes have shown steady improvement. They progressed from a 5-7 record in 2022 to 7-5 in 2023 and reached 10 wins last season.
Despite the strong start in 2024, Miami stumbled late, losing three of its final four games, including a 42-17 defeat at Syracuse that dashed hopes for an ACC Championship appearance as well as a potential playoff berth.
The 2025 schedule presents significant challenges, featuring matchups against several top-ranked opponents. The Hurricanes open the season at home against Notre Dame on August 31, a team that reached the national title game last year and is ranked No. 5 in On3's early poll. Additional high-profile games include a home contest against Florida and a road trip to face SMU. While some might think that Miami doesn't play the toughest conference schedule, their 2025 non-conference opponents are elite.
Miami's roster has undergone significant changes in the offseason. Seven players were selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, including quarterback Cam Ward who was taken No. 1 overall. To help the team make another run, the Hurricanes secured a top-10 transfer class, which was highlighted by the addition of quarterback Carson Beck from Georgia.
Beck, who threw for 28 touchdowns and 3,485 yards last season, is expected to lead Miami's offense which was the highest-scoring unit in the nation in 2024. He was unable to participate in regular practices in the spring due to an offseason surgery but recent reports indicate that he is ready to go.