Miami entered the 2025 season with doubts, but so far, they have been spotless. Carson Beck hasn’t let the Canes miss Cam Ward, and the defense looks like a different deal altogether. The Hurricanes are 5-0, with a No. 2 ranking in the AP 25. However, there was a similar momentum to their 2024 season. Mario Cristobal’s team was 9-0 before it stumbled against Georgia Tech and Syracuse. But if Miami legend Davis Hester is to be believed, their woes won’t repeat this year.

“I’m liking what we [are] seeing.” When asked about Miami’s playoff chances, the NFL HoFer said, “I think so… This is the year right here that we win the conference. I can’t honestly feel like comfortable saying that…” he said on CBS Sports. Miami is currently 1-0 in conference play. Teams like Georgia Tech and Virginia sit atop the ACC table, having played more conference games.

Hester continued, “From that point on, I know where the bowl games will be. A couple of them are going to be at the Hard Rock Stadium.” The CFP quarterfinal, the Orange Bowl, is projected to be held at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.

“So, hey, if we go that far, we’ll be back in our hometown playing some bowl games and…Miami.” At home turf, programs have the advantages. Presently, Miami holds a 10+ win streak on the home turf.

Bleeding into week 8, Miami stares down at a high-stakes clash against the Louisville Cardinals at home turf on Friday night. Though Carson Beck dominates the ACC in passing accuracy (73.4%), the Cardinals’ robust defense tops the chart in completion percentage defense, allowing 262 yards per game. But the Miami defense comes solid in pressure per pass attempt, ranking in the 5th spot in creating pressure on the opponents.

The Canes have a 54% odds to win the ACC. But there’s the trend we need to be cautious of. The first stretch of the regular season is done and dusted, but the latter stretch might be where the Hurricanes might falter. Since 2022, in the final games, the roster has buckled. They were 1-3 in the final four (2022) and then 1-4 the following year. Last season, they were one spot shy of entering the playoffs. They roped in nine wins before losing three of the last four games.

But on the other hand, last year’s losses came against ranked opponents. Meanwhile, this season, Cristobal’s roster has battled Notre Dame, Bethune-Cookman, South Florida, Florida, and FSU so far. For the next slate of matchups, Miami does not have any ranked opponents presently. Though along with the Cardinals, Pittsburgh is also listed among the top 10 teams, exerting defensive pressure. Miami might have a good shot at those games and at the ACC championship game this season.

Mario Cristobal recruits Devin Hester’s son

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. With Devin Hester’s famed collegiate career at Coral Gables, the program is now keen on recruiting his son. A 12-year-old, Drayton Hester, received a scholarship offer from the Hurricanes back in August.

“No. 1, congratulations on busting your butt and doing all the things that you’ve been doing at such a young age,” Mario Cristobal said on FaceTime. “I wanted to call you myself and let you know, face-to-face, man-to-man, that we’re offering you a scholarship to Miami and we would love you to be a Miami Hurricane… You are that guy. I’m going to recruit you like an absolute madman.”

He plays quarterback, running back, and receiver on his Orlando, Florida team. But one question that fans have been mulling over is, “Does he have his dad’s speed?” the host prompted. Hester’s reply? Better than himself. “I would say speedwise the quickness… Yes. But the long speed, no. But athletically, at his age right now, he’s way more athletic than me.”