Miami’s offense has plenty of firepower, and David Pollack isn’t shy about saying it. On his See Ball Get Ball podcast, the former College GameDay analyst made the Hurricanes his pick for the nation’s most dangerous unit, leaning on a roster packed with returning production and a transfer quarterback who arrives with serious credentials.
Pollack’s case starts with Malachi Toney, who shattered Miami’s single-season marks as a true freshman. Pollack said, "Malachi Toney obviously returns after one of the greatest freshman seasons in school history. He led the FBS with 109 receptions, led the ACC, 1,200 receiving yards, 10 touchdowns, and just proved what he's going to be."
From there, he shifted to Mark Fletcher Jr., who turned in a massive postseason for Miami and set a College Football Playoff record with 507 rushing yards during the run. Fletcher finished the year with 1,192 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns.
Then came the quarterback addition that pushed Pollack all the way in. Darian Mensah is in from Duke after throwing for 3,973 yards and 34 touchdowns with six interceptions in 2025.
Pollack said, "Adding Darian Mensah, who's the quarterback who led Duke to an ACC championship. threw for almost 4,000 yards, 34 touchdowns, takes care of the football at an elite level. Only six interceptions, and I'll say it right now.
[Mensah] will be a Heisman Trophy finalist. Mensah's that kind of good."
Mensah also brings a familiar target with him. Cooper Barkate transferred from Duke as well after catching 72 passes for 1,106 yards and seven touchdowns.
Still, the argument doesn’t end with Miami. Ohio State has a strong counter, and the Buckeyes’ edge starts with the schedule.
Miami should put up big numbers against softer ACC defenses, while Ohio State lives in the Big Ten and doesn’t get that kind of runway. ESPN’s FPI has the Buckeyes with the eighth-toughest schedule, compared with Miami at No.
The comparison gets tighter when the rosters are stacked up piece by piece, but Ohio State keeps coming out on top. Jeremiah Smith hauled in 87 passes for 1,243 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2025, and he already sits near the top of Ohio State’s career record book. Toney is a star, but Smith gets the nod as the better receiver.
At quarterback, Julian Sayin’s 77.0 completion percentage led the nation, and he finished as a Heisman finalist. Mensah is excellent. Sayin is better.
The backfield is the one spot where Miami can hang around. Fletcher has a slight edge over Bo Jackson, who rushed for 1,090 yards as a true freshman, though that battle could go either way.
Barkate may have the upper hand over Brandon Inniss as the second receiver. Even so, Ohio State’s depth is the separator, with Chris Henry Jr. capable of breaking out and giving Sayin another dangerous weapon.
Miami is loaded. Ohio State is deeper. And against tougher defenses, the Buckeyes are going to have to earn every yard.
In Other News...
Miami Suddenly Has A Fall Camp Battle Fans Can't Ignore
Special teams has become one of the more intriguing parts of Miamis fall camp, and the spotlight is falling on a kicking competition that is still very much unresolved. The Hurricanes brought in two transfer options to sort it out, with one coming from Northwestern and the other from FSU, and Mario Cristobal has pointed to the unit as an area he feels good about as camp moves along.
Cristobal also spent time talking about Jordan Lyle, whose recovery and improved conditioning have been part of the programs broader August conversation. The coaching staff clearly believes there is value in having him healthier and better prepared entering the season, but for now the kicking job remains one of the quieter battles that could end up mattering a lot once the games start. [Read more 🡒]
Miami May Be Unlocking Even More From Transfer WR Cooper Barkate
Cooper Barkate has spent the second week of Miamis fall camp trying to turn a promising addition into something more complete. The senior transfer wide receiver has talked about sharpening his physicality and rounding out his game, which fits the tone of a Miami pass-catching group that seems to be pushing itself daily. Barkate has also pointed to the competition in the Hurricanes receiver room as a real advantage, saying the environment around him is helping bring out more from his own development.
For Miami, that matters because the Hurricanes are not just looking for another body at receiver, they are looking for players who can raise the level of the room and give the offense more options. Barkate appears to believe there is still another gear to find, and his optimism extends beyond this season to the idea that a stronger year in Coral Gables could improve his NFL Draft standing. The interesting part is how much more the Hurricanes can unlock before camp gives way to the real test. [Read more 🡒]
Former Miami Standout Could Reopen A Hurricanes Roster Debate
Malik Reneaus name is back in the college basketball conversation, and for Miami fans it brings a familiar what-if back into focus. After three years at Indiana, Reneau transferred to Miami and put together a career season, earning All-Atlantic Coast Conference First Team honors while giving the Hurricanes the kind of frontcourt production that can reshape a roster discussion in a hurry.
Now, after going undrafted and signing an Exhibit 10 contract with the Orlando Magic, Reneau is pursuing the possibility of another college season following a recent court ruling that opened the door for certain athletes to regain eligibility. The move raises an intriguing question for Miami circles: if that path stays open, would the Hurricanes have a place for a player who already proved he can change the look of a team in one year? [Read more 🡒]