ESPN’s preseason forecast slots the Miami Hurricanes as the ACC’s second-best team in 2025, projecting a 9.2-win season and ranking them 12th (nationally) in SP+ behind only Clemson. ESPN's Bill Connelly has been previewing each conference of college football — as well as each team — and has made his way to Miami. Let's go over what he said about Miami.
"I just can't get past it. Trailing by seven points and facing a fourth-and-goal from the Syracuse 10 with under four minutes remaining, Cristobal took the ball out of No. 1 pick Cam Ward's hands and elected to kick a field goal, hoping that his defense, which had given up touchdowns in four of five possessions and had no-showed for most of the previous two months, could make one last stop. It was painfully obvious that it wouldn't. And it didn't."Bill Connelly
In Cristobal’s fourth season leading the Canes, he carries a 22–16 record and high expectations. Connelly recalls a pivotal failure that still reverberates: trailing Syracuse 42-38 with under four minutes left, Cristobal surrendered the ball to his defense for one last stand rather than trusting his elite quarterback, Cam Ward. That ill-fated game helped derail what had been an ACC title and College Football Playoff push. When Miami stormed back from 5–7 in 2022 to 7–6 in 2023 and then surged to 10–3 in 2024, his program's upward trajectory was hard to ignore. Still, the question remains: can Miami avoid repeating the crucial missteps that cost them?
Connelly then moved to Georgia transfer Carson Beck, who threw for 3,485 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2024, and returns a massive offensive line anchored by tackle Francis Mauigoa. He mentions that the rushing corps looks strong too, fueled by Mark Fletcher Jr. and Jordan Lyle, who combined for just over 1,000 yards at 6.1 yards per carry, and are now complemented by NDSU transfer CharMar Brown.
"I like what Miami will have in the trenches, and despite the occasional INTs, Beck is a very good QB. But Miami will need the teardowns in the receiving corps and secondary to stick. I'm pretty sure the latter will, but I'm not sure Beck will have enough strong pass catchers."Bill Connelly
Moving to the defense, Connelly mentions that Miami returns five starters and adds nine new faces under coordinator Corey Hetherman. The defensive front is sound, led by Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain. Rutgers transfer Mohamed Toure strengthens the linebacker group alongside veterans Wesley Bissainthe, Jaylin Alderman and Popo Aguirre. Miami’s revamped secondary aims to solve the problems that plagued them late last season and Connelly mentions that for the defense to have sustained improvement, then the DB's will need to be better.
"He's going to recruit like gangbusters, he's going to field an increasingly talented team, and when it's winning time, he's going to make a grave miscalculation."Bill Connelly
Connelly's assessment was fair. This team has the raw pieces to succeed. But his projection essentially hinges on one key variable: Cristobal’s growth as a decision-maker. The Syracuse field-goal choice and one-sided play last year throws a wrench in Miami’s pursuit of legitimacy. The Canes don’t just need their talent to perform but they also need their coach to grow.