Miami was named by ESPN writer Paulo Uggetti in a staff analysis on the "2025 College Football Power Index: Who's undervalued, who's overrated, sleeper picks." Uggetti named Miami as his overrated team in the FPI entering the 2025 season.
Miami is ninth in the ESPN FPI. The FPI projects Miami with 9.7 wins and 2.8 losses, a 4.7 percent chance to win out, 98.1 percent to win six games and become bowl eligible, 30.5 percent to win the ACC, 46.3 percent to make the College Football Playoff, 6.2 percent to make the championship and 2.7 percent to win the title.
Miami is the highest-ranked ACC team, but it is behind Clemson, which is projected with a 34.0 percent chance to win the ACC and a 47.3 percent chance to earn a CFP berth. Miami and Clemson will not play during the 2024 regular season
Miami had a lot of changes in the 2025 off-season, including replacing quarterback Cam Ward and their top six wide receivers. Carson Beck was brought in as the top Miami transfer and the Hurricanes also added wide receivers Keelan Marion from BYU, Tony Johnson from Cincinnati and C.J. Daniels from LSU.
"I'm having a hard time with Miami all the way up at No. 9...They have a solid core of players returning...and head coach Mario Cristobal and his staff were transfer portal merchants..bringing in several offensive weapons...as well as some much needed help in the secondary...The hype surrounding the Hurricanes hinges on...quarterback Carson Beck. After losing Cameron Ward to the draft, Cristobal & Co. are banking on Beck...to be the guy who was supposed to lead Georgia to a national title. Count me among the skeptics."Paolo Uggetti, ESPN
Uggetti also mentioned the additions of cornerback Xavier Lucas from Wisconsin and safety Zecariah Poyser to a rebuilt Miami secondary. Miami also added Charles Brantley from Michigan State, Ethan O'Connor from Washington State and Kelonte Scott from Houston at CB.
Miami signed the third-ranked 2025 transfer class. Defensive tackle David Blay is another transfer to watch for Miami. Offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson can lean on a running game that returns Mark Fletcher Jr. and Jordan Lyle, who will have bigger roles in 2025.
Beck is a foundational player for Miami in 2025. With the roster Cristobal and his staff have assembled for 2025, Beck is not expected to have to carry the Hurricanes like Ward did in 2024. Miami should have a greatly improved defense in 2025.
Miami has a tough early season schedule with Notre Dame in the season opener on August 31 and Florida on September 20. After playing at Florida in 2024, the Gators and Notre Dame will be at Hard Rock Stadium in 2025. Expectations are high for Miami entering the 2025 season.