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3 Must-Win Games vs. Top-Ranked Opponents for the Miami Hurricanes

Jul 20, 2025 4:55 PM EDT

The Miami Hurricanes reeled off nine straight wins in 2024, then proceeded to lose three of their final four contests to finish 10-3. No conference title game and no playoff berth.

Last season’s QB1 starter, Cam Ward, was the first quarterback and first player taken overall in this year’s NFL Draft. To replace Ward, Miami coach Mario Cristobal went into the transfer portal and lured QB Carson Beck away from the Georgia Bulldogs.

In addition, Cristobal also tapped the portal for some talented pass defenders. Pass defense was the Achilles heel for a Hurricanes team that was talented offensively a season ago.

Now, Beck and the rest of his Hurricane brethren will seek redemption this season in the form of a conference title and a playoff berth.

But first, Miami will need to take care of business on the field by dispatching three opponents that rank among the Top 15 in the country, according to Phil Steele.

#3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Aug. 31

The Fighting Irish own a 17-8 record in the series and Miami has lost five of the last six meetings.

This season, Notre Dame returns an unholy trinity of talented running backs, led by Jeremiah Love, who combined for over 2,000 rushing yards and 41 touchdowns. Love rushed for over 1,100 yards and 17 TDs last season. All three Notre Dame rushers averaged over six yards per carry. In addition, they will run behind an experienced offensive line that has a combined 54 starts.

But the Fighting Irish may be unlucky in the ground game vs the Hurricanes. Miami ranked third in the conference and 20^th nationally in rushing defense last season and allowed 112 rushing yards per game. They return eight starters on that side of the ball.

At #12 SMU Mustangs, Nov. 1

As a new member of the ACC in 2024, SMU won nine straight games to earn a berth in the conference title game against Clemson. Clemson had to fight off a furious SMU rally before holding on to a 3-point victory.

Despite the loss, SMU still got a berth in the playoffs, but were outclassed in a 38-10 loss at Penn State. The Mustangs finished 11-3.

Kevin Jennings SMU quarterback 2025, Alabama transfer portal tampering, college football rumors, NCAA recruiting violations

This season, the Mustangs return their QB1 starter, Kevin Jennings. Jennings posted 3,500 total yards of offense and 28 touchdowns. But he did throw 11 INTs, with six coming against Duke and Penn State.

The Miami pass defense will be much improved this season and could give Jennings fits on his home field.

#17 Florida Gators, Sep. 20

The Florida Gators finished on a four-game winning streak last season to post an 8-5 record, including wins over LSU and No. 11 Ole Miss. The Gators return 15 starters, led by quarterback DJ Lagway. Lagway saw action in all 13 games in 2024 as a true freshman. He passed for 1,915 yards, 12 TDs and nine INTs, including a season-high 456 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Samford.

Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway preparing to throw a football

In one of the fiercest rivalries in college football, the Hurricanes hold a 30-27 record in the series history. Miami has dominated as of late, winning eight of the last ten matchups.

Have the Hurricanes done enough in the defensive secondary to correct the issues of a season ago? On paper, that appears to be the case. Can Beck come back from elbow surgery on his throwing arm and return to his 2023 ways and be the productive leader for the Hurricanes? We shall see. Wins against the teams listed above would help in that endeavor.