Miami Hurricanes Football: Phil Steele 2025 Forecast

Miami enters year four of the Mario Cristobal era in 2025. The Hurricanes have shown steady improvements each season under his leadership — but is more of the same expected this fall?

Phil Steele believes the Hurricanes have a chance to be one of the best teams in the ACC in 2025. In turn, Miami could find themselves competing for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

After falling short of the CFP last season, Miami has responded by bringing in some high-profile talent from the high school and transfer portal ranks. None bigger that former Georgia quarterback Carson Beck.

Offense

Miami’s biggest question mark coming into the season will be how well Beck will perform coming off his UCL surgery. After being arguably the most potent offense in college football last season, Miami will have a new face leading its scoring efforts.

Phil Steele: “In 2023 my computer called for a jump to 28.4 ppg and they did even better at 31.5 with 431 ypg. Last year they clearly had the best offense in Cristobal’s first three years.

“My computer called for a jump to 39.2 ppg and they topped it with 43.9 ppg. They topped 2002’s school records for points and total offense. This year Cam Ward departs and they bring in Carson Beck from Georgia. This remains one of the top offenses in the country but it will be tough to match last year’s numbers.”

Defense

While Miami’s offense put up elite numbers during the 2024 season, the defensive unit struggled at times to get off the field. The Hurricanes plugged holes where they needed out of the transfer portal, gaining talent such as CB Ethan O’Connor, S Keionte Scott, LB Mohamed Toure and more.

Phil Steele: “In 2020-22 they allowed a very un-Miami-like 392 ypg. In ’23 my computer called for big time improvement to 327 ypg and 22.6 ppg. They allowed 322 ypg and 22.8 ppg (miss by .2!). Last year they lost 3 NFL DC’s but two of them were #7 DC’s. My computer called for them to allow 23.8 ppg and 325.9 ypg and they hit those numbers perfectly with 327 ypg and 25.3 ppg.

“This despite a weak secondary. This year new DC Corey Hetherman has a stronger secondary and two of the nations top DE’s.”

2025 forecast

Miami has improved steadily throughout Cristobal’s first three seasons leading the Hurricanes program. If they continue their upward trajectory, the sky is the limit for Miami this fall.

Phil Steele: “HC Mario Cristobal played here (OL) and his goal is to return Miami to the glory days. In his first year they matched Miami’s worst season in 45 years going 5-7. … Cristobal’s teams have improved in each of his years and he hit the portal hard. They do have ND and Florida in the non conf and SMU and FSU on the road but Miami is a legitimate ACC title and playoff contender in 2025.”