Paul Finebaum: 'I really believe it's time for The U to return' to national prominence in 2024

There are plenty of analysts and experts around the country who believe the Miami Hurricanes will compete at the top of the ACC and compete for the College Football Playoff in 2024. That includes Paul Finebaum.

As Finebaum explained during an appearance on SportsCenter, he believes it’s time for The U to return to national prominence this season.

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“Not only next week but all season long, I believe in the Hurricanes,” Paul Finebaum said. “It has been a rough couple of years for Mario Cristobal. Remember he moved over from Oregon to try to resurrect that program down there. Now, he’s about the third coach in a row that’s tried to do that, but they have the tools this year.”

Mario Cristobal is going into his third season at Miami. He has a 12-13 record in his first two years with the program, taking the Hurricanes to a bowl game last year. Still, after adding heavily through the portal throughout the offseason, expectations are high for the Hurricanes.

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Among the key additions are figures on the offense, like quarterback Cam Ward and running back Damien Martinez.

“They have the quarterback. I think they have a lot of the compliments necessary, and I think in spite of an interesting schedule, they’re going to start off with Florida, I think they can do it,” Finebaum said. “I really believe it’s time for The U to return. Maybe forget the turnover chain this time around. Maybe try to win a couple of games before they start declaring The U is back but it starts next weekend in Gainesville.”

Miami opens the season with a road game against Florida. The last time the Hurricanes played the Gators was in 2019. That was a neutral site game that Florida won. The last time the two teams played in Gainesville was 2008, a Florida win under then-head coach Urban Meyer. However, Miami leads the all-time series 29-27.

Heather Dinich reveals why ‘talented’ Miami will be Florida State’s biggest challenger in the ACC

Ahead of the season, Heather Dinich shared why she thinks Miami is the biggest threat to Florida State in the ACC.

“I’m going with Miami. On paper, they might be the most talented team in the conference,” Dinich said. “They’ve got to win the close games. Last year, they lost four one-score games and they out-gained all four of those opponents by a combined 251 yards. If they can change that and win those games, they can win the ACC.”