The Miami Hurricanes aren’t moving.
Following a dominant 41-13 victory over Clemson in Death Valley, Miami remained at No. 4 in the latest AP Top 25 Poll, keeping the Hurricanes firmly among college football’s elite.
Miami now sits at 5-0 overall and 3-0 in ACC play, trailing only No. 1 Texas, No. 2 Georgia and No. 3 Notre Dame. The ‘Canes also received two first-place votes, another indication that Miami is beginning to earn legitimate consideration as one of the best teams in America.
Statement Made In Death Valley
Saturday night was supposed to be Miami’s biggest test yet.
Instead, it became another statement.
Playing in one of the toughest environments in college football, Miami controlled Clemson for nearly the entire night. Darian Mensah finished with 227 passing yards and a touchdown, while adding a 34-yard rushing touchdown of his own.
But Miami’s ground game ultimately broke Clemson down.
Mark Fletcher Jr. rushed for 77 yards and two touchdowns, while freshman Javian Mallory added 63 yards. The Hurricanes finished with 192 rushing yards, compared to just 55 from Clemson.
Cooper Barkate provided the explosive play through the air, finishing with five catches for 98 yards and a touchdown, highlighted by a long catch-and-run score on Miami’s opening drive.
Defensively, the Canes continued to make life miserable for opposing offenses. Miami pressured freshman quarterback Tait Reynolds throughout the night before J.J. Dunningan put the finishing touches on the victory with a pick-six.
Miami walked into Death Valley and left with a 28-point victory and sole possession of first place in the ACC.
No Movement, More Respect
Miami may not have moved up, but its position in the national conversation continues to strengthen.
The top four remained unchanged, with Texas, Georgia, Notre Dame and Miami holding their spots. Ohio State moved into the No. 5 position, while Alabama jumped to No. 6.
More importantly, Miami received two first-place votes after its Clemson victory. Texas received 61 and Georgia received six, making the Hurricanes one of only four programs to receive a vote for the top spot.
Through five games, Miami has now defeated Stanford, FAMU, Wake Forest, Central Michigan and Clemson.
And the résumé keeps getting better.
5-0 And Rolling
Miami entered the season with National Championship expectations.
Five weeks later, those expectations don’t look unrealistic.
Mensah remains firmly in the Heisman conversation. Malachi Toney has established himself as one of college football’s premier playmakers. Miami’s defense continues to dominate the line of scrimmage, and the Hurricanes have shown they can win with explosive offense or by physically wearing down an opponent.
Now, Miami heads into its bye week undefeated and sitting alone atop the ACC.
The Canes didn’t move up Sunday.
They didn’t need to.
5-0. No. 4 in America. Two first-place votes.
Miami keeps making its case.
