Miami Favored to Win 2026 ACC as 20-Year Title Drought Faces Best Shot

Q: After last year's upset, could another underdog derail Miami’s seemingly destined championship run?

Yes. Miami is the ACC favorite, but the league’s recent history and the Hurricanes’ own roster questions leave room for another spoiler. The strongest evidence is last season itself. SMU’s 26-20 overtime upset of Miami kept the Hurricanes out of the ACC Championship Game, and the broader ACC race was chaotic enough to show that preseason hierarchy does not always hold. Even with Miami now listed as the clear betting favorite and projected by many to go 12-0, that path assumes smooth answers in areas that are not fully settled. Miami’s upside is obvious. Darrian Mensah arrives after throwing for 3,973 yards and 34 touchdowns at Duke and inherits one of the league’s best skill groups in Malachi Toney, Mark Fletcher Jr. and Cooper Barkate. But the Hurricanes also lost major line talent to the NFL Draft, with four offensive line starters gone and key departures up front on defense. That creates the kind of vulnerability an underdog can exploit in one game. Clemson is the most immediate threat because Miami must go on the road there in early October, and Dabo Swinney’s team is widely viewed as a bounce-back candidate. SMU remains a real danger if it reaches Charlotte again, especially after proving last year it can beat Miami. Louisville also fits the spoiler profile after beating Miami in 2025 and continuing to win under Jeff Brohm. So Miami may be the team to beat, but in this ACC, “destined” is too strong. One upset is still very plausible.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 15

2026 ACC Media Days opened with Miami cast as the clear team to beat, with national and conference observers framing the race as the Hurricanes versus the field.
Mario Cristobal's roster returns major skill talent, and new quarterback Darrian Mensah is portrayed as a strong fit for Shannon Dawson's offense after Miami fell one Carson Beck interception short of a national title.
The main concerns are up front: Miami must replace both starting offensive tackles and both edge rushers, though its recruiting depth, Justin Scott inside and portal addition Damon Wilson outside could soften the losses.
Clemson looks like the most credible regular-season threat, especially in an early October road game, while SMU could re-emerge in the ACC title game after upsetting Miami last season.
A weak league schedule and Miami's talent edge have fueled expectations that the Hurricanes can finally end an ACC championship drought that has lasted more than two decades since joining the conference.