Armed with elite transfers and a revamped roster, Mario Cristobal’s squad aims to shatter a 22-year drought and secure an automatic bid to the College Football Playoff.
Miami, FL. – The Miami Hurricanes have a rich history of success, especially within the football program: five National Championships, 35 Associated Press rankings, 43 bowl game appearances, two Heisman Trophy winners, and nine conference championships, all in the Big East between 1991 and 2003. However, they have yet to win an Atlantic Coast Conference Football Championship since the 2004 move. The Hurricanes made one appearance in 2017, but suffered a 38-3 loss to the Clemson Tigers.
Coming off a National Championship appearance, the program is the early favorite to win it this upcoming season. They successfully revamped the roster with transfer portal additions, including All-ACC quarterback Darian Mensah and wide receiver Cooper Barkate. In fact, University of Miami Athletic Director Dan Radakovich discussed the focus of winning an ACC title on the Gramlinch and Mac Lain show.
“I’ll tell you the near term, Miami wants to win an ACC championship,” he said. “This year, we’re very, very focused and we want to have the championship game stay on board.”
The interview was recorded before it was reported and officially announced that Radakovich is set to retire on June 1.
The Hurricanes had an opportunity to go for an ACC Football Championship this past season, especially after a 5-0 start. However, the projection fell apart after the two losses to the Louisville Cardinals and SMU Mustangs. The Hurricanes would win the final four games of the regular season, which did enough to qualify for the College Football Playoffs, but barely. It wasn’t until the final Selection Committee rankings that the team was projected to finish on the outside looking in.
The Hurricanes winning an ACC Football Championship wouldn’t just end a 22-year drought, but provide an automatic bid into the College Football Playoffs, potentially a first-round bye. After the Coral Gables program added Mensah and Barkate to the roster, they essentially added players who can deliver. Both were significant factors in the Duke Blue Devils winning the first ACC Football Championship since 1989 this past season.
The University of Miami has captured several ACC titles across multiple sports, including a tournament crown in 2013 from the men’s basketball program and a conference championship in the 2008 Baseball Tournament. However, athletics in Coral Gables revolve around football.
The Hurricanes have an opportunity to get over a hump that has held the program back for several years. This current roster is projected to compete with the best in the nation, both offensively and defensively. If coach Mario Cristobal leads the team to meet expectations, an ACC Football Championship is within reach.
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