Miami Hurricanes named College football team on verge of playoff debut

The Miami football team has entered December in the top 12 only twice during the College Football Playoff era. Carter Bahns of 247Sports named Miami as one of the "College football teams on verge of playoff debut...ahead of 2024 season." Miami should be ranked 15-25 in the 2024 preseason rankings.

In addition to Miami, Bahns named Kansas State, Mississippi, Missouri, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Utah as programs on the verge of making their College Football Playoff debut. The projections about Miami competing for a College Football Playoff berth center primarily around quarterback Cam Ward.

Ward's transfer from Washington State to Miami set the foundation for the Hurricanes to add Oregon State running back Damien Martinez and Houston wide receiver Sam Brown this spring. Bahns speculated that Miami might have their best roster during the College Football Playoff era.

Ward and Martinez can unlock the new potential on offense per Bahns. Brown will team with Miami's top two 2023 receivers Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George. Miami has upgraded its talent for 2024 by signing the fourth-ranked 2024 recruiting class and the 10th ranked transfer class. Miami has signed consecutive top 10 recruiting classes.

Miami's quest to make the College Football Playoff will likely depend on games at Florida to open the season on August 31, versus Louisville on October 19 and against Florida State on October 26. If Miami wins two out of those three, they will be in a position to play in the ACC Championship Game and earn a College Football Playoff berth.

When ACC Kickoff Days take place in July expect Ward to be named preseason All-Conference and potentially the Player of the Year. Edge rusher Rueben Bain, linebacker Francisco Mauigoa and Restrepo should also earn preseason All-ACC. Miami has the roster for a special 2024 season.