Miami Hurricanes begin another national championship chase

State of play: The Canes finished 13-3 last year after a prolific College Football Playoff run that ended with a heartbreaking interception in a 27-21 loss to Indiana in the national championship game.

• They start the season ranked No. 7.

The latest: Miami will have a transfer quarterback for the third straight year, turning to former Duke quarterback Darian Mensah to replace Carson Beck.

• Mensah brought with him his favorite wide receiver, Cooper Barkate, who's expected to have a big role in the Canes' offense.
• The Canes also added former Missouri pass rusher Damon Wilson to help replace star duo and first-round picks Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor.
• There's also new faces on the offensive line, including top-ranked recruit Jackson Cantwell.

Familiar faces: Receiver Malachi Toney, who's become one of college football's biggest stars following his electrifying freshman season, is expected to have a big year.

• The 18-year-old finished 2025 with 1,211 yards and 10 touchdowns.
• After his breakout performance during the College Football Playoff, Mark Fletcher Jr. is back for his senior season to lead a deep running back room.

What they're saying: "We have a lot to prove to ourselves. We have a lot to do because that's it. The talking is over," head coach Mario Cristobal said on "The Joe Rose Show."

What's next: The Hurricanes face Stanford on Friday at 9pm ET in California. Watch on ESPN.

Here are the key games that could shape the Canes' season:

• Oct 3. @ Clemson
• Oct 17 vs. Florida State
• Nov. 7 @ Notre Dame
• Nov. 14 vs. Duke
• Nov. 21 vs. Virginia Tech