Miami’s rise to a College Football Playoff national championship turned the Hurricanes into one of the biggest offseason magnets in the sport, but CBS Sports’ preseason rankings still nudged them down a few pegs.
The Hurricanes landed at No. 7 in CBS’ preseason top 138, a drop from No. 2 in the outlet’s final 2025 rankings. That slide came even though Miami has been a staple near the top of preseason lists all month, with the USA Today Coaches Poll, ESPN FPI database and On3 top 25 all placing the Hurricanes at No. 7 nationally.
The main issue, according to the ranking shift, is what Miami has to replace up front. On offense, Matthew McCoy is the lone returning starter on the line.
Three of the Hurricanes’ 2025 starters were drafted, including first-round tackle Francis Mauigoa. Miami also lost two first-round edge defenders in Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain Jr., who anchored the defense at end last season.
That said, the roster is far from bare. Miami still brings back plenty in the secondary, along the interior defensive line and at receiver. And there’s optimism around Darian Mensah, who becomes the Hurricanes’ fourth quarterback in four seasons and is expected to lift the passing game beyond what it was with Carson Beck.
At the top of CBS’ list, Ohio State moved into the No. 1 spot after Miami beat the Buckeyes on the way to the title. Ohio State returns three dangerous offensive skill players and most of its offensive line, though the defense will feature several new starters.
The other teams to jump ahead of Miami were Oregon, Notre Dame, Georgia and Texas. Oregon checked in at No. 2, Notre Dame at No. 3 and Georgia at No. 5, with CBS pointing to the kind of veteran-heavy rosters and lingering frustration from last season that can drive another long playoff run in 2026.
Texas made the biggest leap of the group, vaulting from No. 13 to No. 4. CBS noted that the Longhorns used the portal more aggressively than anyone else in the top six, deliberately clearing out weak spots in favor of star power as they try to get back to the College Football Playoff.
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The frustration is not just about star power, but about timing and fit, with each of those pursuits carrying its own what-if attached to a particular recruiting stretch and on-field breakthrough. Miami has had no shortage of talent over the years, but misses like these still resonate because they were the sort of marquee swings that can change a programs ceiling. Even now, they linger as reminders of how thin the line can be between a strong class and a defining one. [Read more 🡒]