Opinion: It’s Time for UM to be Ranked Ahead of Oregon

MIAMI, Fla. – In the latest edition of the Associated Press’ Top 25 poll, the No. 6 Oregon Ducks were ranked ahead of the No. 7 Miami Hurricanes, despite only surviving a 34-27 collapse against the Boise State Broncos last Saturday; however, a flip when the next is released must happen.

After being ranked the second-best team in college football to start the 2026 season, the Pacific Northwest program hasn’t lived up to expectations. The Ducks barely got past a Group of Five opponent, then lost to Oklahoma State 39-31 on Saturday. The Cowboys didn’t even receive any AP Top 25 votes in the latest polling.

In the loss, quarterback Dante Moore completed 14 of 29 passes (48.3 percent) and threw for 191 yards and two touchdowns. The Cowboys’ front seven sacked him four times. It’s only the third time in Moore’s collegiate career he finished below a 50 completion percentage.

Regardless, the Ducks have too much talent at virtually every position to allow these results. Yet, the Cowboys managed to hold them to 10 total big plays: six passes with a gain of at least 15 yards and four runs with a gain of at least 10 yards. The Ducks were among the strong favorites to win the National Championship this season, but the early-season start doesn’t reflect that.

Meanwhile, across the nation in South Florida, the Hurricanes have taken care of business in blowout fashion. After traveling over 3,000 miles to California to kick off the season against Stanford last Friday, the team dominated 45-6. Quarterback Darian Mensah had a remarkable debut: 27 of 30 passes completed (90 percent) and threw for 401 yards and five touchdowns (both new career highs in a single game).

College football rising star and wide receiver Malachi Toney had a historic performance to ignite the offense. He caught 12 passes on 13 targets for 234 yards and scored three touchdowns. Toney set a new program record for the most receiving yards in a single game, breaking Eddie Brown’s 42-year-old 220-yard performance against the Boston College Eagles on Nov. 23, 1984.

The following week, the Hurricanes kept the momentum going with a 77-7 win over Florida A&M at Hard Rock Stadium on Thursday. Mensah and Toney, along with several starters and rotational players, only played the first half. The Hurricanes scored 11 total touchdowns and finished with 857 total yards. Three freshmen (wide receiver Somourian Wingo, running back Javion Mallory, and wide receiver Vance Spafford) each scored at least one touchdown.

One team has been more dominant; meanwhile, the other has barely shown it. The performances must be reflected in the next AP Top 25 poll.

Anthony Aguirre covers the Miami Hurricanes and Miami Heat for Roundtable Sports. Contact info for tips/info: [email protected] & 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports