The Canes were a Carson Beck interception away from hoisting a national championship trophy on their home turf, and many believe this year's squad has more firepower to work with.While the games still have to be played and fall camp hasn't even started, there is an overwhelming sense among conference and national media members alike that it will be Miami versus the field in 2026.INTERNET IS UP IN ARMS ABOUT ESPN FPI RANKINGS, BUT EVERYONE IS MISSING ONE KEY POINTMark Fletcher Jr.#4 of the Miami Hurricanes stiff arms Aiden Fisher #4 of the Indiana Hoosiers during the third quarter in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium on Jan.
19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida.(Patrick Smith/Getty Images)It is worth noting that the Hurricanes still have not won an ACC Championship since joining the conference more than two decades ago, but with the talent head coach Mario Cristobal has assembled, both on this roster and on his coaching staff, this has to be the year they get over the hump in conference play.Miami returns a litany of playmakers, both homegrown and through the portal, as players like Malachi Toney, Mark Fletcher Jr.
and Cooper Barkate will give offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson plenty of weapons to play with.The man throwing them the ball, Darrian Mensah, comes to Coral Gables by way of the Duke Blue Devils, and at the risk of sounding like a heretic on the streets of South Florida, I believe this is the most talented signal-caller Cristobal has ever had under center while coaching at Miami.CURT CIGNETTI WAS SO FOCUSED THIS OFFSEASON, HE TURNED DOWN ALL EXTERNAL REQUESTS: 'I'M 95% FOOTBALL'Malachi Tony #10 of the Miami Hurricanes celebrates his touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on August 31, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida.(Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)Yes, Carson Beck is an NFL quarterback and an all-conference selection at two schools, and Cam Ward was literally a u...