Steve Spurrier describes Miami's path to the national championship as 'very open'

Miami could go all the way this year, according to former Florida head coach Steve Spurrier. The Hurricanes have three ranked wins to this point, and has looked the part of a national title contender during the early season.

Spurrier views Miami’s path to the championship game as “very open.” He cited their upcoming schedule, and the fact that the national title game is being played at Hard Rock Stadium this season — the same venue where the Hurricanes play their home games.

“I think the road is very open for Miami,” Spurrier said of their national championship hopes on Another Dooley Noted Podcast. “I mean, not only are they one of the best teams in the country — they play eight home games this year. Eight home games. They don’t play another ranked team. They’re undefeated right now, and that should take them all the way, at least to the ACC championship game.”

Miami’s toughest competition, on paper, appears to be behind them. The Hurricanes already have three wins over ranked opponents — Notre Dame, USF, Florida State — and they’re only 5-0 through six weeks this season.

There are seven games left on Miami’s schedule this season — all of which the Hurricanes will likely be favored in. At this point, head coach Mario Cristobal and company are the team to beat in the ACC.

This appeared to be the case last year, though that broke down in the final weeks of the season. That’ll be something Miami looks to avoid in 2025.

In 2024, Miami did not find itself a part of the ACC Championship festivities last season despite a 9-0 start to the season. The Hurricanes lost two of their final three games during the regular season against Georgia Tech and Syracuse — both by one possession.

This would push Clemson into the ACC title game against SMU. The Tigers would go on to win the conference championship, making the College Football Playoff as the fifth-highest ranked conference champion. Miami would miss the CFP entirely and fall in the Pop-Tarts Bowl to Iowa State. All three of their losses came by a touchdown or less last season.

Will this year’s Miami team suffer a similar fate? Or will Carson Beck and company take that next step and find themselves in the CFP as Spurrier predicts? Only time will tell. But for now, the Hurricanes can only play who’s in front of them. That begins with Louisville coming up at home on Friday night.