With Week 0 in the books, the countdown to Miami's opener is now one week away. The Hurricanes schedule has plenty of challenges including strong ACC opponents and a couple of big out-of-conference matchups early in the year. Here's a ranking of each game on the 2025 slate.
12. Bethune-Cookman (Sept. 6)
The FCS tune-up arrives right after Notre Dame. Veteran QB Timmy McClain makes it interesting, but this is where Miami should clean up after Week 1 and build up (or more) momentum entering the USF, Florida and Florida State stretch of their schedule.
11. Stanford (Oct. 25)
Post–coaching change, the Cardinal lost key pieces. With a new regime, thin roster, going across the country, and after seeing them lose to Hawaii in Week 0, Stanford is near the bottom of the list.
10. Syracuse (Nov. 8, Homecoming)
Syracuse ripped the heart out of Miami last year near the end of the season. The Canes will be on high alert in November to prevent that from happening again. Steve Angeli (Notre Dame transfer) takes over at QB and could help Syracuse, but I like Miami's chances of not falling to them in consecutive years.
9. USF (Sept. 13)
If healthy, Byrum Brown is a handful (3,292 pass yards/26 TD and 809 rush yards/11 TD back in 2023), but the Bulls’ depth could be stretched by Boise and Florida before visiting Miami. Also, Miami comes off of a game against Bethune-Cookman, so they will essentially have two weeks to prepare for USF.
8. at Virginia Tech (Nov. 22)
Lane Stadium in the cold late in the season could be a hazard for Miami. Dual-threat Kyron Drones returns, but it remains to be seen how good the Hokies will actually be.
7. NC State (Nov. 15)
Second-year QB CJ Bailey headlines a feisty Wolfpack with real pass-catching depth (Justin Joly, Noah Rogers, Wesley Grimes). NC State made a bowl last year but replaced both coordinators.
6. at Florida State (Oct. 4)
Before you riot, lets look at what Florida State has done to try to bounce back from last year. In the list, you may see some reasons why this game is No. 6 on the list — as well as some things that work in Miami's favor.
- Coming off a 2–10 crater, FSU is rebuilding its identity under pressure and it's unlikely they will be as bad as last year (just to be honest).
- QB Thomas Castellanos’ legs could be a worry for Miami's defense if he gets loose.
- The roster’s depth (especially DL/WR) isn’t yet close to ACC elite, despite picking up the recruiting pieces.
- There is still a rivalry here. In a lot of in-state college matchups these players faced-off in high school. Sometimes that adds a different wrinkle to things.
- UM gets a bye before the trip to Tallahassee.
- FSU is in the "others receiving votes" part of the AP Preseason Poll. Now, I know that they only received a few votes but that should at least be a decent indicator that they are expected to not only be better than last year, but a good bowl team.
5. at Pittsburgh (Nov. 29)
The Panthers’ physical front and late-November timing make this a grind. QB Eli Holstein ranks middle-of-the-pack among UM’s QB slate and RB Desmond Reid is a space problem. Pitt received a few AP votes so this could be a ranked matchup at the time of play. This should be considered a “tough-out”.
4. Louisville (Oct. 17, after a bye)
With transfer Miller Moss (USC) and a deep skill group, the Cards carry explosive potential, even if OL/secondary questions linger. They’re just outside the AP poll (received 90 votes). The bye week before this one is a scheduling edge for UM and there is a clear distance between No. 4 and No. 3 on this list.
3. at SMU (Nov. 1)
QB Kevin Jennings may just be the second-best passer Miami will see in the regular season, behind only Florida’s Lagway. The Ponies also return a veteran OL and start the year No. 16 after a strong ACC debut. If it wasn't for the way that Jennings performed in the playoff game against Penn State then a lot of people would be higher on SMU — unfortunately that is not the case, but they still come in at No. 3.
2. Florida (Sept. 20)
The Gators have a balanced roster but it all comes down to QB DJ Lagway. With him healthy, the Gators are a completely different animal. Florida opens the year AP No. 15, and there is reason to believe that this will be a closer game than last year.
1. Notre Dame (Aug. 31)
The Irish come to Miami as a top-10 team (AP No. 6), with blue-chip CJ Carr making his first start. ND has some uncertainty at QB and defensive tackle, but the rest of the roster is stacked, from RB Jeremiyah Love to an always-steady OL. It’s the biggest game on Miami’s slate and an early referendum on both teams.