Miami Hurricanes listed in preseason AP rankings for first time since 2018

The Miami Hurricanes football program is listed in the preseason AP poll rankings for the first time since 2018, according to ESPN’s Chris Fallica. The Hurricanes came in at No. 14 in the preseason poll, which was released Monday.

Miami was ranked No. 8 in 2018, but lost its season opener to LSU and finished the year unranked. The past four times the Hurricanes were ranked in the preseason, they finished unranked three times (2006, 2010, 2018). They begin the 2021 season with a matchup against Alabama on Sept. 4 in Atlanta.

In spite of the spooky similarities between 2021 and 2018, many believe the Hurricanes have a chance to challenge No. 3 Clemson in the ACC this season. Only No. 10 North Carolina ranks higher than Miami in the conference.

The Hurricanes return quarterback D’Eriq King, who is among the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the country. King transferred to Miami from Houston last season and continued to put up elite numbers. He finished with 2,689 yards passing, 538 yards rushing and 27 total touchdowns.

This year he returns leading receiver Mike Harley, who finished with 799 yards and seven touchdowns on 57 catches. Leading rusher Cam’Ron Harris also returns. What potentially pushes the offense to another level could be the addition of a transfer receiver.

Charleston Rambo spent the first three seasons of his college career with the Oklahoma Sooners. He’ll take his final one in Miami. The former four-star recruit had his best statistical season in 2019, finishing with 43 catches for 743 yards and five touchdowns.

Miami ranked sixth in the ACC in total defense, giving up an average of 408.4 yards per contest. The Hurricanes will need to climb up that list a bit if they hope to live up to their preseason ranking.

Miami coach Manny Diaz is entering his third season with the program. Despite starting 2020 unranked, the Hurricanes climbed as high as No. 7 in the AP poll before finishing the year at No. 22. They finished 8-3, losing to Oklahoma State in the Cheez-It Bowl. Their only losses in conference play came against Clemson and North Carolina.

This has a chance to be the best team in Diaz’ tenure with Miami. The third-year after a coach takes over is generally regarded as when the team should break through. Can the Miami Hurricanes prove they deserve their preseason rankings in 2021?