As the Hurricanes prepare for another college football season, aiming to reclaim their past dominance, new teams are joining their conference.
The ACC will see competition from the SMU Mustangs and the California-based Stanford and California teams, all vying for the top spot and a berth in the College Football Playoffs. Beyond the 2024 season and the ACC, which teams would create exciting and engaging matchups for Miami?
Here are three teams that could offer compelling home-and-home series for Mario Cristobal and the Miami Hurricanes:
1. The Memphis Tigers had a successful 2023 season with a 10-3 record, recovering from a long period of struggle. The shared history between the two programs could make for a fascinating home-and-home series. Additionally, Florida State’s head coach Mike Norvell previously coached the Tigers, adding another layer of intrigue.
2. The UCF Knights and the Miami Hurricanes have only faced each other twice, with Miami winning both encounters, the latest in 2009. Given UCF’s rise on the national stage and Miami’s quest for consistency, a home-and-home series would be highly entertaining for both fan bases.
3. Mario Cristobal left the Oregon Ducks to return to Miami as head coach in 2022. The only previous meeting between Miami and Oregon was in 1958, where Miami secured a 2-0 victory. A matchup between Cristobal and his former team would create a unique and exciting home-and-home series.