Greg McElroy declares Miami underrated in preseason AP Top 25 poll

Miami hasn’t won more than eight games in a season since it won 10 in 2017. It hasn’t finished a campaign ranked inside the AP Top 25 poll since 2020 when it went 8-3 during the COVID-19-affected season.

ESPN’s Greg McElroy acknowledged voters have probably been burned by the Hurricanes before. That said, during his preseason AP Top 25 reaction Monday, he declared the 2024 ‘Canes as underrated.

Miami clocked in at No. 19 and is one of four ACC teams in the preseason AP Top 25. The others are No. 10 Florida State, No. 14 Clemson and No. 24 North Carolina State.

“Miami, coming into the season, has as good of a roster as 98% of the sport,” McElroy said. “Yes, they’re not in Ohio State territory. They’re not in Georgia territory. I’m not putting them there, but there’s not that many teams that are ranked, say No. 3 through No. 15, that I would say, ‘Oh, yeah, their roster’s way better than Miami’s.’ Or, ‘Oh yep, you know what? Penn State, their roster is way better than Miami’s.'”

McElroy continued: “I think Miami can actually hold up roster-wise against just about anybody ranked right now between like No. 6 and No. 18. And, in some cases, I might actually prefer Miami, because I think they’re really good at quarterback. I think they’re really good along the offensive line, I think they’re really solid along the defensive line. I think they have game changers. I think they have difference makers. They have high-level All-American candidates at multiple positions.”

The first player McElroy shouted out was right tackle Francis Mauigoa, who earned freshman All-American honors last season while giving up only nine pressures, including two sacks, in his final seven games, according to Pro Football Focus. McElroy also mentioned sophomore defensive lineman Reuben Bain Jr., who also earned freshman All-American honors, in addition to being named ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year, after piling up 7.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in 2023.

Then McElroy moved to highlighting Washington State transfer quarterback, and NFL prospect, Cam Ward. Miami will have a true dual threat as its offensive signal caller. Last year with the Cougars, Ward posted a 25:7 touchdown-to-interception ratio while rushing for an additional eight scores.

Lastly, McElroy hinted at Oregon State transfer running back Damien Martinez. Rushing for 1,185 yards and nine touchdowns in 2023, Martinez is coming off a first-team All-Pac-12 season.

“I think when you look at Miami, they have many, many pieces that, if they come together, they can beat anybody,” McElroy said. “Now you’re going to say, ‘Well, they didn’t kneel on it against Georgia Tech.’ That’s just low-hanging fruit.

“If you want to focus on that, fine, ignore the positives. But when the Miami train leaves the station, do not try to jump on the bandwagon. We told you so right now: This team is going to be good, and I’m telling you, I think they’re going to be a real problem for just about everybody in the sport.”