Miami has risen steadily in the polls and a growing number of college football analysts – including those who will be on campus Saturday – believe the Hurricanes have the potential to contend for berths in both the ACC Championship Game and the College Football Playoff.
“I had questions [about Miami]. I’m not going to backtrack. I had questions about Carson Beck, whether he would fit, how healthy he would be and all of that, and this really seems to be a great place for him,” said GameDay host Rece Davis. “Now, the returns are early. The sample size is small. I understand that. But he’s looked really good. Receivers have been terrific. The offensive line is just outstanding. [Francis] Mauigoa is ridiculous. He’s so good. I think the defense will be able to get pressure. And I just said to [ESPN analyst] Kirk [Herbstreit] a minute ago, I don’t have them ranked number one right now, but I thought about it last week long and hard and I think they are one of the few teams that through this early part of the season that has made a case that they could be worthy of being ranked number one in the country.”
Added ACC Network analyst Eric Mac Lain, “I think what is the most exciting about Miami right now, you turn on the tape for Ohio State, you turn on the tape for Texas, Alabama, Georgia, obviously Clemson and you can find something. You can find a weakness. You can’t find that with Miami. I think they are the most complete team in college football. I think they’re the best team, right now, in college football. Obviously, that’s led by Carson Beck and the things that he’s done, and I think people are very excited and maybe even taken aback a little bit about who he, what he’s bringing to the table. … The running backs are playing out of their mind. The offensive line is being exactly who we thought they would be. The most surprising thing is probably the defense. … so inconsistent [last year]. Nick Saban said it was the reason they were held out of the playoff, held out of a national championship-type of game. They look fantastic. … They’re playing at a very high level, and I love to see that.”
As effusive as the praise was for the Hurricanes, Howard, Davis and Mac Lain all cautioned that if Miami wants to remain in the championship conversation, it has to make sure its success is sustained success.