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· collected 2026-08-19 · by Tim Reynolds The Associated Press
The seventh-ranked Miami Hurricanes were chosen by 88% of voters in the Atlantic Coast Conference's preseason poll to win the league title, a feat they have yet to achieve despite being in the conference for 22 seasons. Last year's run to the College Football Playoff championship game has set high expectations for the team, with wide receiver Malachi Toney expected to be one of the most dynamic players in the college game this season. The Hurricanes return a loaded running back room led by Mark Fletcher Jr., who passed up an NFL draft chance to stay at Miami. They will be led by new quarterback Darian Mensah, who transferred from Duke and threw for 3,973 yards and 34 touchdowns last season.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-19,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
The No. 7 Miami Hurricanes are expected to win the Atlantic Coast Conference title, according to 88% of voters in the preseason poll. This would be their first ACC championship despite being part of the league for 22 seasons. The team is also eyeing a spot in the College Football Playoff (CFP) field and has high expectations after going 13-3 last season and reaching the CFP championship game. Miami's success is attributed to quarterback Darian Mensah, who transferred from Duke, and wide receiver Malachi Toney, who had 109 catches last season, making him one of the most dynamic players in college football this year. The Hurricanes will face a crucial test on November 7 when they visit Notre Dame, a team that helped them get into the CFP field last season with a home win over Miami. Anything less than a CFP berth would be considered a disappointment for the team and coach Mario Cristobal.
Written for “Miami ACC Basketball Favorites” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
This article does not take a side on a contested political
question, so it has no leaning score. That is an
answer rather than a gap: a match report or a rescue can be warmly
or critically written without being left or right, and scoring it
anyway is how approval of a subject gets recorded as a political
position.
No political leaning scored for article 1269 · logged 2026-08-24
No. 7 Miami
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — 2025 record: 13-3
Expectations
Here they go again.
asserted
they → go → ?
The seventh-ranked Hurricanes were the pick of 88% of voters in the Atlantic Coast Conference’s preseason poll to win the league title, something Miami has not yet done despite being in the league for 22 seasons and counting.
asserted
Miami → rank → seasons
Miami is chasing something bigger, and last year’s run to the College Football Playoff championship game showed that Mario Cristobal finally has the Hurricanes back on track.
asserted
Cristobal → chase → track
They’ve had back-to-back 10-win seasons for the first time since a four-year run of those from 2000 through 2003, and wide receiver Malachi Toney is widely expected to be one of the most dynamic players in the college game this season.
asserted
Toney → have → game
Anything less than a berth in this season’s CFP field would be considered a disappointment.
asserted
Anything → consider → field
Miami got into last year’s field largely because of a season-opening home win over Notre Dame; the Hurricanes go to South Bend on Nov. 7 and it’s reasonable to think that game is going to matter.
asserted
game → get → Nov.
Strengths include Toney, dynamic offense
Toney led the nation with 109 catches last season and now he gets a new quarterback in Duke transfer Darian Mensah, who played a big role in the Hurricanes’ success last season.
asserted
who → include → success
Duke beat Virginia in the ACC title game, and that created the path for higher-ranked Miami to get into the CFP field.
asserted
Miami → beat → field
Mensah has a slew of new weaponry to play with at Miami, and the Hurricanes feature a loaded running back room led by Mark Fletcher Jr.
asserted
Hurricanes → have → room
The senior passed up a chance to go to the NFL draft because he still feels like he has unfinished business with the Hurricanes.
asserted
he → pass → Hurricanes
Another big plus for Miami going into 2026: offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson, defensive coordinator Corey Heatherman and defensive line coach Jason Taylor are all back.
asserted
Dawson → go → 2026
Weaknesses include a few holes to fill
Another year, another new quarterback, and after the Hurricanes hit it big in the portal with Cam Ward in 2024 and Carson Beck last year, it’s Mensah’s turn to lead the offense.
asserted
it → include → offense
It might take some time; the offensive line (which lost Francis Mauigoa to the New York Giants, who used the No. 10 pick to grab him) has new faces in the starting lineup, and the defensive line — some would say the absolute best in the country last fall — won’t have Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor leading the way in 2026.
uncertain
Jr. → take → 2026
The secondary lost a big-time leader in Keionte Scott to the NFL and Miami will have a new kicker as well with Jack Olsen taking over for Carter Davis.
asserted
Olsen → lose → Davis
