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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Notre Dame Fall Camp Takes An Early Hit At Two Positions
Fall camp was only just getting rolling when Notre Dame took an early hit at two spots, with two young players now sidelined for the time being. Matty Augustine, a 2025 recruit who was competing for the starting right guard job, is dealing with a foot injury, while freshman cornerback Chaz Smith also has been slowed after suffering an injury of his own. Both players arrived with a chance to factor into the roster conversation, which makes the timing especially frustrating as the Irish try to sort out depth and competition in August.
The good news for Notre Dame is that neither situation appears to be season-ending, and each player is still expected back at some point during the year. Augustines injury removes him from a battle that had the potential to shape the interior line early in camp, while Smiths absence briefly thins a cornerback room that already has plenty of evaluation ahead. For now, the Irish can only wait and keep the rest of camp moving, hoping both young players are back in the mix soon enough to make an impact later in the season. [Read more 🡒]
Notre Dame Already Faces One Big Fall Camp Question Up Front
Notre Dames sixth fall camp practice came with the usual mix of evaluation and adjustment up front, where offensive line coach Joe Rudolph and defensive line coach Charlie Partridge both spent time sorting through progress, health, and depth. Rudolph addressed the ripple effect of Matty Augustines injury, while also pointing to the way other linemen have handled the added work as the staff keeps trying to stabilize a critical area before the season starts.
On the other side of the line, Partridge said Keon Keeley and Armel Mukam are moving forward as they take on more of the playbook, a sign that the Irish are still trying to see how much they can trust certain young pieces in meaningful roles. Senior voices Ashton Craig and Boubacar Traore also offered a glimpse into camp from a players perspective, talking through conditioning and growth, but the broader question remains how quickly the line can settle into something dependable. [Read more 🡒]