Historic College Football Powerhouse Plummets in Latest Preseason Rankings

This 2026 College Football Playoff participant has fallen multiple spots in an updated set of rankings.

Miami (FL) Hurricanes safety Zechariah Poyser (7) chases after Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (3) as he rushes the ball Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, during the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Miami's run to the College Football Playoff national championship propelled it into an offseason full of hype.

The Hurricanes are far and away the most popular projection to win a weak ACC, but they have rightfully earned their national attention. Miami's rugged style of play was too much for a pair of SEC teams and a defending national champion to handle in the 2026 College Football Playoff.

Miami has cracked the top 10 spots of virtually every set of preseason rankings released in August. The USA Today Coaches Poll, ESPN FPI database and On3 top 25 all slot the Hurricanes as the No. 7 team nationally.

CBS Sports officially released its preseason rankings of all 138 teams on Wednesday. Miami was the No. 2 team in CBS' final 2025 rankings, but it now sits at No. 7 in CBS' preseason rankings.

Why did Miami fall behind in the rankings?

The point of attack is Miami's biggest question and likely the reason for its five-spot slide.

Offensively, Matthew McCoy is the only returning starter for the Hurricanes up front; three of its 2025 starters were selected in the NFL draft, most notably tackle Francis Mauigoa in the first round. Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain Jr., Miami's starting defensive ends in 2025, were also selected in the first round.

Miami retained plenty of talent in the secondary, the interior of its defensive line and in the receiving corps. Darian Mensah will be the Hurricanes' fourth quarterback in as many seasons, but his addition is expected to elevate the passing attack from what it was with Carson Beck.

Who passed Miami in CBS' rankings?

Nov 15, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Ellis Robinson IV (1) tackles Texas Longhorns wide receiver Ryan Wingo (1) in the second half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Ohio State, one of the three teams Miami defeated on its path to the national championship, now occupies the No. 1 spot. The Buckeyes bring back a trio of potent offensive skill players along with the majority of their offensive line, but there are several new starters across the defense.

Oregon (No. 2), Notre Dame (No. 3) and Georgia (No.5) all jumped ahead of the Hurricanes in CBS' rankings. A multitude of established veterans coupled frustrated with last season's finish should fuel the Ducks, Fighting Irish and Bulldogs for deep College Football Playoff runs in 2026.

Texas was the other team that leapt ahead of Miami, jumping all the way up from No. 13 to No. 4. The Longhorns utilized the portal more for any of its needs than any other in the top six spots, intentionally ridding themselves from deficient pieces in favor of star power to get back to the College Football Playoff.