After surviving their first real test of 2026, the Miami Hurricanes are back home.

No. 6 Miami returns to Hard Rock Stadium Saturday night to welcome the Central Michigan Chippewas, looking to improve to 4-0 before diving deeper into ACC play.

The Canes enter Saturday following a 33-20 road victory over Wake Forest, a game that started with complete offensive control before becoming much tighter in the second half. Now, Miami has an opportunity to clean things up, get healthy and handle business before Clemson comes to town next week.

Initial Thoughts On Central Michigan

Central Michigan enters Miami at 2-1, fresh off a 24-10 victory over Wyoming.

The Chippewas are an extremely run-heavy football team. Through three games, CMU is averaging 219.3 rushing yards per game, compared to just 46 yards through the air. Their identity isn’t difficult to find: control possession, run the football and shorten the game.

Quarterback Angel Flores is right in the middle of it.

Flores erupted for 163 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries against Wyoming after rushing for another 122 yards and a score against Colgate the week before. Miami knows exactly what’s coming Saturday night. The challenge is stopping it.

That matchup heavily favors the Hurricanes. Miami’s defensive front has been dominant against the run through three weeks, and Central Michigan simply hasn’t shown much of a vertical passing threat.

Mensah Continues To Roll

Even during Miami’s toughest game of the season, Darian Mensah remained incredibly efficient.

Mensah opened the Wake Forest game by completing 24 consecutive passes, setting an ACC record before finishing 30-of-34 for 220 yards and three touchdowns.

Through three games, Mensah has completed an absurd 71-of-79 passes, good for an 89.9% completion rate, while throwing 11 touchdowns without an interception.

The Heisman conversation surrounding Miami’s quarterback isn’t going anywhere.

Central Michigan has allowed just 154.3 passing yards per game, but Saturday represents an entirely different challenge. Mensah, Malachi Toney and Miami’s collection of weapons possess a level of explosiveness CMU hasn’t encountered yet.

Miami Battles The Injury Bug

The biggest concern surrounding Miami right now has little to do with Central Michigan.

It’s health.

Miami lost running back CharMar “Marty” Brown and wide receiver Joshua Moore for the remainder of the season following the Wake Forest game. Linebacker Ezekiel Marcelin Jr. is also expected to miss multiple weeks, adding to an already lengthy injury list.

There is some positive news.

Mario Cristobal indicated that Malachi Toney and Mark Fletcher Jr. are expected to be available, while running back Jordan Lyle could make his season debut.

With Moore now out, keep an eye on Vandrevius Jacobs and Somourian Wingo as Miami searches for another receiver to emerge alongside Toney.

Miami V Central Michigan

This is another game Miami should control from the opening kick.

Central Michigan’s rushing attack deserves respect, especially with Flores’ ability to create plays with his legs, but Miami has a massive advantage in overall talent and depth.

For the Canes, Saturday is about playing a complete 60 minutes.

Miami looked dominant early against Wake Forest before allowing the Demon Deacons to hang around late. Against Central Michigan, the Hurricanes need to establish control, continue developing the ground game and get Mensah and company off the field before taking unnecessary punishment.

There’s also something bigger waiting on the other side. A trip to death valley.

Miami’s first three weeks have shown exactly how dangerous this team can be. Saturday night is the final tune-up before the schedule takes another major step forward.

Handle business. Stay healthy. Move to 4-0.