ESPN's ACC Preview mentioned Miami and its players on several occasions.
Andrea Adelson writes:
In the running for an ACC Championship
Aside from the two co-favorites (Miami and Florida State), the biggest name in the mix is Miami. The Hurricanes pushed all their chips to the middle of the table this offseason, landing a host of talent via the transfer portal, including quarterback Cam Ward and running back Damien Martinez. There's a strong case to be made that the Canes are the most talented team in the league—it's just that talent hasn't always translated to wins in Coral Gables.
Don't forget about NC State, however. The Wolfpack also cleaned up in the portal, adding quarterback Grayson McCall, tailback Jordan Waters, receiver Noah Rogers, and tight end Justin Joly, giving Dave Doeren perhaps his most potent offense since he arrived in 2014. An accommodating schedule also sets up nicely for the Pack. The problem, of course, is that this is a program that has won 10 games just once in its history.
Impact Freshman
Elija Lofton, TE, Miami: The Hurricanes signed another top recruiting class, but the player who has drawn early raves as someone who can make an impact early is Lofton, an ESPN 300 prospect who enrolled early and was there for spring practice. Miami, which has a long and storied tight end tradition, could use him in various ways thanks to his versatility. He played running back in the spring game, for example, to help provide some depth. Coach Mario Cristobal has not shied away from praising Lofton, either.
Our Favorite Players
Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami: Will quarterback Ward make some plays on offense this season? Absolutely. But Bain will be the player to watch on defense after a terrific freshman debut last season. Bain had 12.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks, in addition to 44 tackles, and is poised for more in 2024.
Games to Watch
Miami vs. Florida, Aug. 31: There is no denying the stakes on the line for both teams. Florida coach Billy Napier and Miami coach Cristobal each enter Year 3 facing rabid fan bases eager to win and win now. Headed into the season, the Canes appear to be far better positioned to make a statement in 2024 -- making this an even bigger high-stakes game.
Florida State at Miami, Oct. 26: Miami has designs on playing for a championship this year, and to do that, the Canes will have to get past the Noles. Florida State has won three straight on its rival, including a 45-3 victory the last time they played in Miami, in Year 1 under Cristobal. That game has not been forgotten.
1. Florida State: The defending ACC champion begins where it left off last season, although a revamped offense will give the Noles a new look heading into 2024.
2. Clemson: Although there are questions about the offense, the defense should be stout once again, with Peter Woods, T.J. Parker, and Barrett Carter leading the way.
3. Miami: Yes, there is a question every year about Miami and whether this will be the year it returns to the national stage. But the pieces are in place for the Canes to make a run this year.
4. NC State: With McCall and a host of other transfers on offense, the Wolfpack have one of the most talented teams in the ACC headed into the season.
5. Virginia Tech: The Hokies closed last season with wins in three of their final four games, scoring more than 40 points in all the victories. With just about everyone back, expectations are high.
6. Louisville: Not many people are talking about Jeff Brohm's team after an ACC championship game appearance in 2023, but don't sleep on the Cards. If Tyler Shough can stay healthy at quarterback, Louisville will be in contention once again.
7. North Carolina: Keep an eye on the Tar Heels as a sleeper team in the ACC, even without Drake Maye. Running back Omarion Hampton leads the way, and the defense should be far improved.
8. SMU: The Mustangs are set up for success right out of the gate in Year 1 in the ACC, with a high-powered offense returning. But how they'll hold up on the offensive and defensive lines is the biggest mystery.
9. Syracuse: There is renewed energy and excitement surrounding the Syracuse program with first-year coach Fran Brown and a large number of high-profile transfers leading the way, starting with quarterback Kyle McCord.
10. Cal: The Bears have a preseason All-American candidate in running back Jaydyn Ott and are on a quest this season to show they can elevate their play.
11. Georgia Tech: The Jackets return their biggest playmakers on offense, starting with quarterback Haynes King, but once again are saddled with one of the toughest schedules in the ACC.
12. Pitt: Coach Pat Narduzzi believes the Panthers have found a quarterback in Nate Yarnell, who takes over as the starter running the lightning-fast offense Cade Bell brings with him from Western Carolina.
13. Duke: Manny Diaz inherits a talented roster and a team that has won 17 games over the past two years but has retooled offensive and defensive lines and a competition at quarterback.
14. Boston College: Quarterback Thomas Castellanos said the hiring of Bill O'Brien as head coach "is the best thing that ever happened to me." He and the rest of the offense believe O'Brien can develop the Eagles into more consistent winners.
15. Wake Forest: Last year was an anomaly for Dave Clawson and the program he has built in Winston-Salem. The Demon Deacons have an ongoing quarterback competition but should be far better on that side of the ball.
16. Virginia: The Cavaliers lost five games by a touchdown or less, and they return a solid young group that could move up. Their schedule, however, does them no favors.
17. Stanford: There have been growing pains for Stanford under second-year coach Troy Taylor, but the Cardinal return talent -- including All-Pac-12 receiver Elic Ayomanor.
Andrea Adelson writes:
In the running for an ACC Championship
Aside from the two co-favorites (Miami and Florida State), the biggest name in the mix is Miami. The Hurricanes pushed all their chips to the middle of the table this offseason, landing a host of talent via the transfer portal, including quarterback Cam Ward and running back Damien Martinez. There's a strong case to be made that the Canes are the most talented team in the league—it's just that talent hasn't always translated to wins in Coral Gables.
Don't forget about NC State, however. The Wolfpack also cleaned up in the portal, adding quarterback Grayson McCall, tailback Jordan Waters, receiver Noah Rogers, and tight end Justin Joly, giving Dave Doeren perhaps his most potent offense since he arrived in 2014. An accommodating schedule also sets up nicely for the Pack. The problem, of course, is that this is a program that has won 10 games just once in its history.
Impact Freshman
Our Favorite Players
Games to Watch
Power rankings
1. Florida State: The defending ACC champion begins where it left off last season, although a revamped offense will give the Noles a new look heading into 2024.
2. Clemson: Although there are questions about the offense, the defense should be stout once again, with Peter Woods, T.J. Parker, and Barrett Carter leading the way.
3. Miami: Yes, there is a question every year about Miami and whether this will be the year it returns to the national stage. But the pieces are in place for the Canes to make a run this year.
4. NC State: With McCall and a host of other transfers on offense, the Wolfpack have one of the most talented teams in the ACC headed into the season.
5. Virginia Tech: The Hokies closed last season with wins in three of their final four games, scoring more than 40 points in all the victories. With just about everyone back, expectations are high.
6. Louisville: Not many people are talking about Jeff Brohm's team after an ACC championship game appearance in 2023, but don't sleep on the Cards. If Tyler Shough can stay healthy at quarterback, Louisville will be in contention once again.
7. North Carolina: Keep an eye on the Tar Heels as a sleeper team in the ACC, even without Drake Maye. Running back Omarion Hampton leads the way, and the defense should be far improved.
8. SMU: The Mustangs are set up for success right out of the gate in Year 1 in the ACC, with a high-powered offense returning. But how they'll hold up on the offensive and defensive lines is the biggest mystery.
9. Syracuse: There is renewed energy and excitement surrounding the Syracuse program with first-year coach Fran Brown and a large number of high-profile transfers leading the way, starting with quarterback Kyle McCord.
10. Cal: The Bears have a preseason All-American candidate in running back Jaydyn Ott and are on a quest this season to show they can elevate their play.
11. Georgia Tech: The Jackets return their biggest playmakers on offense, starting with quarterback Haynes King, but once again are saddled with one of the toughest schedules in the ACC.
12. Pitt: Coach Pat Narduzzi believes the Panthers have found a quarterback in Nate Yarnell, who takes over as the starter running the lightning-fast offense Cade Bell brings with him from Western Carolina.
13. Duke: Manny Diaz inherits a talented roster and a team that has won 17 games over the past two years but has retooled offensive and defensive lines and a competition at quarterback.
14. Boston College: Quarterback Thomas Castellanos said the hiring of Bill O'Brien as head coach "is the best thing that ever happened to me." He and the rest of the offense believe O'Brien can develop the Eagles into more consistent winners.
15. Wake Forest: Last year was an anomaly for Dave Clawson and the program he has built in Winston-Salem. The Demon Deacons have an ongoing quarterback competition but should be far better on that side of the ball.
16. Virginia: The Cavaliers lost five games by a touchdown or less, and they return a solid young group that could move up. Their schedule, however, does them no favors.
17. Stanford: There have been growing pains for Stanford under second-year coach Troy Taylor, but the Cardinal return talent -- including All-Pac-12 receiver Elic Ayomanor.
