The college football season is relatively wide open this year, but one team stands out to one of the sport’s biggest names.
We’re about halfway through the long college football offseason, and with spring football and the NFL Draft now behind us, attention turns to the 2026 season and who could be the contenders to win it all next year.
Advertisement
That’s the topic that came up this week with ESPN college football analyst and announcer Kirk Herbstreit on the “Pat McAfee Show”.
Herbstreit tabbed a team he feels could win it all next year, and it’s one from the final game of last college football season that he called: the Miami Hurricanes.
Kirk Herbstreit mentions Miami Hurricanes as a team who might win national championship in 2026
“I think Miami might be the team to win it all this year,” Herbstreit said. “And they’ve got the running backs back. (Malachi) Toney is back. I mean, they’re going to be loaded this year.”
Advertisement
“They told us to pick a team in April, May. I picked Miami,” Herbstreit added, although he noted they were asked to pick up front and said his pick could change.
It’s hard to argue with that pick at this point in time. The Hurricanes came up just short of the national championship last year in a 27-21 loss to Indiana. They did lose some absolute dudes on the lines of scrimmage in Rueben Bain, Jr., Akheem Mesidor, Francis Mauigoa, and Markel Bell.
However, the Canes might have upgraded at quarterback from third-round draft pick Carson Beck with Duke transfer Darian Mensah, with his 1000-yard top receiving target coming to Coral Gables with him in Cooper Barkate. The Hurricanes also added some top-end talent in five-star OT Jackson Cantwell – who should start day one – Missouri EDGE Damon Wilson II, and Boston College DB Omar Thornton, among others.
Advertisement
A number of young players appear poised to be superstars. In addition to Toney, DB Bryce Fitzgerald had six interceptions last year, including the game sealer against Texas A&M in the playoff. Five-star DL Hayden Lowe could be set to take over off the edge after missing last season with an injury.
The schedule is also set up well for the Hurricanes, with their toughest test coming on November 7 at Notre Dame and their ACC slate being relatively manageable.
We’ll find out if the Canes are up to the task of playing as a favorite this year on September 4, when they kick off their season against Stanford on the road.
