Joel Klatt ranks Miami at No. 12 in Preseason Top-25, believes 10-2 record would be disappointing

Miami rated outside the Top-10 in the Preseason Top-25 from Joel Klatt. However, they’re the top team in their conference within that ranking because of what he is expecting and demanding from the Hurricanes in 2024.

Klatt broke down his rating of Miami at No. 12 in that poll during an episode of his show on Monday. He began by explaining why their roster, with many returning starters and a Top-20 transfer class, justified them as his top team in the ACC by a spot ahead of the Seminoles at No. 13

“Why do I have them above Florida State? Well, they didn’t lose quite as much as Florida State did and they did work in the offseason,” said Klatt. “This roster is talented. I like what Mario Cristobal has built – stop me if you’ve heard that before.”

Of the 15 transfers for Miami, several are Top-100 portal pieces per On3’s 2024 Transfer Portal Top Players. That includes a pair of top players at their respective positions with the No. 2 quarterback and running back that both come in from what’s left of the Pac-12.

“When Cam Ward is your quarterback with his experience and talent-level – great transfer addition there,” said Klatt. “He’s going to be a huge difference-maker.”

“Then maybe the biggest difference-maker and a guy that I think is maybe one of the biggest wins in the transfer portal as just a totally under the radar player? Damien Martinez from Oregon State,” Klatt added. “Damien Martinez was outstanding for them. I think he’s going to be a big contributor for that Miami team. He’s one of the most underrated backs in the country. Three players have been all-conference in the Power Five each of the past two years – Blake Corum, Quinshon Judkins, and Damien Martinez. That’s the company he’s rolling in.”

That team combined with that schedule is now why Klatt’s expectations are so high for the ‘Canes. For him, anything less than 11 victories, which would be their most wins in over two decades, is unacceptable this fall with the opportunity in front of them.

“Their schedule is built for them to be right in the mix in the ACC and potentially the playoff. They open in The Swamp – that’s not a very good Florida team. They get Virginia Tech at home at the end of September in a Friday night game, they go to Louisville in October, and they get Florida State at home in October,” said Klatt. “This is a schedule that they should be 11-1 in. If it’s 10-2, I think it’s disappointing.”

“You heard me right,” Klatt stated. “With this roster and this schedule? This is an 11-win team all day long. That’s giving them a loss in a game that they probably shouldn’t lose. 10-2, I think, is underachieving. 10-2? They don’t go to the playoff with the schedule that they have. 11-1 and winning the ACC? You’re in the College Football Playoff.”

That goal from Klatt then places all the weight onto Cristobal in his third season. They’ve had talented rosters before and in his tenure but essentially none have fully reached what’s expected of them at Miami. That leaves it to the coaching to make the difference with the roster and schedule being what they are.

“Now it becomes execution,” said Klatt. “That has always been the question for Miami.”

“Mario Cristobal has got to prove that he can be a quality in-game coach and execute for wins. That has to happen and it has to happen right now,” Klatt said. “Cristobal is 12-13 in his two seasons. All the pressure is on Mario Cristobal and the Miami Hurricanes.”

This could very well be the season that they’ve been waiting for at The ‘U. They need to take advantage of it now with Klatt looking for a near perfect regular season from them.

“I’m all in for Miami here right now,” Klatt proclaimed. “This should be an 11-1 team all day long.”