Booger McFarland disputes claims that Miami is back: 'They've been trying to come back since 87'

Miami opened its 2025 campaign strong with a 27-24 win over Notre Dame inside Hard Rock Stadium last Sunday night. The matchup was one of the most anticipated of college football’s opening weekend and it certainly did not disappoint.

Hurricane kicker Carter Davis drilled a 38-yard field goal with 9:42 remaining in the fourth quarter to give Miami a 24-14 lead, but Notre Dame responded with a field goal of its own and a seven-yard rushing touchdown from CJ Carr with 3:21 remaining to knot the game at 24 apiece.

Davis however came up clutch for Miami once again, as his 47-yard field goal with 1:04 remaining was enough to push the Hurricanes over the edge for the monstrous opening weekend victory. Thanks to their win over the Fighting Irish, the Hurricanes seem to be off to a great start in making their first ever College Football Playoff.

ESPN‘s Booger McFarland revealed on the Sept. 2 edition of ‘Pardon My Take‘ that although Miami opened its season with a massive victory, he still doesn’t think the Hurricanes are ‘back.’

“I’m not gonna say ‘The U’ is back,” McFarland said. “I’m tired of using ‘The U’ is back. They’ve been trying to come back since 1987. So I’m not gonna say ‘The U’ is back, I’ll just say I liked what I saw from them last Sunday.”

Miami has not won National Championship since 2001

Although Miami boasts five National Championships in its program’s history, it has not claimed one since 2001. Heading into year 11 of the College Football Playoff this season (the second season of the 12-team Playoff), the Hurricanes have also yet to breakthrough that glass ceiling either.

Cristobal and his Hurricanes likely would have punched their ticket to the CFP last year, but their loss to Syracuse in their regular season finale slammed the door shut on those hopes. Miami took a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter, but was outscored 42-17 over the final 33 minutes to suffer one of the most devastating losses in recent college football history.

The program (much like Texas) has repeatedly looked at moments like it was ‘back,’ but that sentiment may never be truer than it is now. Miami has jumped to No. 4 in this week’s AP Poll Rankings and could climb even higher with games against South Florida, No. 13 Florida and No. 14 Florida State on the docket in coming weeks.