Miami Hurricanes Eye 2026 Title Run, ACC Revises Tiebreaker Rules

Ekhbary News Agency

Charlotte — The Miami Hurricanes enter the 2026 college football season with a clear message: their near-championship run last year was merely a starting point, not a destination. Coach Mario Cristobal, speaking at the Atlantic Coast Conference Kickoff media event, firmly rejected any notion that the program's rebuild is complete. "We just got to shut up and work because we haven't proven anything yet," Cristobal declared, underscoring a commitment to sustained excellence. For what it's worth, the team has notably improved each year under his leadership, culminating in a 13-3 record last season and a College Football Playoff title game appearance.

Mensah Leads New Offensive Era

Maintaining this upward trajectory hinges on another successful quarterback transition. Darian Mensah, a transfer from ACC champion Duke, steps into the starting role, following the successful tenures of Cam Ward and Carson Beck. Mensah, who topped the ACC with 3,973 passing yards and 34 touchdowns last season, expressed confidence in his new team. "This is my team. This is my offense. I'm excited to go compete with the guys," he affirmed. The Hurricanes commence their season on September 4th against Stanford.

ACC Reforms Championship Tiebreaker

In a separate but crucial development, the ACC has revised its championship game tiebreaking procedure. This adjustment follows last season's five-team logjam for second place, which saw Duke advance over a higher-ranked Miami. Head-to-head results will remain the primary factor. Should teams remain tied, the conference will now employ the Team Success Ranking from SportSource Analytics, a metric designed to assess a team's overall body of work. Commissioner Jim Phillips emphasized the need to ensure the two strongest teams reach the championship, especially with Power 4 champions guaranteed College Football Playoff berths.

Pressure Mounts on Florida State's Norvell

Meanwhile, Florida State coach Mike Norvell acknowledged the significant pressure heading into his seventh season. The Seminoles have struggled with a 7-17 record over the past two years, a stark contrast to their 19-game winning streak and 13-0 start in 2023. Norvell, whose team showed flashes during a 5-7 season in 2025, highlighted the defense's second year under coordinator Tony White and the addition of former Texas coach Tom Herman to the staff as reasons for optimism. "In reality, the words don't matter, it's about the action," Norvell stated, focusing on tangible improvements.