Former Georgia QB Aaron Murray picked Miami to win the national championship during a recent episode of the Mac & Murray College Football Show. The expectations for Mario Cristobal's fifth season are high, and Murray has been bought in since last season.
Former Georgia QB Aaron Murray picks Miami to win the national championship
"I think Miami is my favorite to win the national championship this year."Aaron Murray
He also predicted that new Hurricanes QB Darian Mensah will win the Heisman Trophy, calling him "so dang good."Â
Murray did acknowledge that he picked Clemson to win it all in 2025 and Cade Klubnik to win the Heisman trophy. That obviously didn't work out, but he certainly was not the only one high on the Tigers last season.
Going into 2026, Miami will have to answer some questions on both the offensive and defensive lines. Any time a program — other than Nick Saban's Alabama teams — loses so much production to the NFL, the expectations have to be adjusted. But Miami is entering a stage in program development where they really can compete for a CFP spot every year. And this season projects to be one where the Canes could win it all.
Miami allowed only 20 sacks in 16 games last season while its running backs rushed for 2,429 yards and 28 touchdowns. Luckily, Cristobal and Alex Mirabal specialize in the trenches. And with impact freshmen coming into the fold like Jackson Cantwell and Ben Congdon, Miami actually finds themselves in a comfortable spot.
Miami is the pace car for the ACC entering 2026
The Hurricanes received 165 of 188 first-place votes in the conference preseason poll. SMU finished second in total points, followed by Louisville and Clemson.Â
Mensah was also voted ACC Preseason Player of the Year with 97 votes. That was 72 more than runner-up Kevin Jennings of SMU.
Miami will get its first chance to justify that confidence on Sept. 4 at Stanford. The schedule becomes much more demanding later on in the season, with the Hurricanes making a trip to Clemson on Oct. 3 and visiting Notre Dame on Nov. 7.
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