It is basically impossible to talk about South Florida sports right now without someone bringing up the U.
If you are trying to figure out what ranking is Miami Hurricanes, you’ve probably noticed the numbers look a little weird depending on where you glance. Are they a top-ten team? Are they the best in the ACC?
Honestly, the answer changes depending on whether you are looking at the football team preparing for a historic National Championship or the basketball squad tearing through conference play. As of mid-January 2026, the Miami Hurricanes are sitting at No. 10 in both the AP Poll and the College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings.
This isn't just a "pretty good" season. It is a complete resurrection.
The Football Rankings: No. 10 and Heading for History
Mario Cristobal has the Hurricanes in a spot most fans thought was a fever dream three years ago. Right now, Miami is ranked No. 10 in the country. That number feels a bit low to some, especially since they are currently 13-2 and literally about to play for the National Championship.
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The ranking reflects their No. 10 seed in the expanded 12-team playoff. Because they didn't win the ACC—Duke actually pulled that off in a wild tiebreaker scenario—Miami had to take the long road. They didn't get a first-round bye.
Instead, they've spent the last month knocking off the "blue bloods" one by one:
- First Round: They walked into Kyle Field and silenced Texas A&M with a gritty 10-3 win.
- Quarterfinals: They handled No. 2 Ohio State 24-14 in the Cotton Bowl.
- Semifinals: A 31-27 thriller against No. 6 Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl punched their ticket.
So, while the official "ranking" says 10, they are effectively one of the top two teams in the nation as they prepare to face No. 1 Indiana on January 19, 2026. It’s the first time they’ve been in this position since 2002. Hard Rock Stadium is going to be a madhouse.
Why the No. 10 Spot Stuck
You might wonder why they stayed at No. 10 while winning playoff games. The CFP committee generally keeps the original playoff seeding as the "official" ranking throughout the tournament.
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Miami's two losses—a heartbreaker to Louisville and an overtime slip-up against SMU—kept them behind the conference champions in the final regular-season poll. But honestly, nobody in Coral Gables cares about the number next to the name anymore. They are 60 minutes away from a sixth national title.
Basketball and Other Standings
It isn’t just a football school anymore. The men's basketball team is having a quiet—well, not so quiet—breakout of their own.
Under Jai Lucas, the Canes are currently 15-2 and sitting at the top of the ACC standings. In the most recent computer rankings and "bracketology" updates for January 2026, Miami is hovering around No. 34 in the NET rankings.
They are effectively a top-25 caliber team that just hasn't fully cracked the media's AP Top 25 yet, though they are receiving a massive amount of votes. With Malik Reneau averaging over 20 points a game, they are a lock for a high seed in March if they keep this pace.
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The 2026 Draft Stock
Ranking also applies to the players. If you look at Mel Kiper’s latest big board for the 2026 NFL Draft:
- Francis Mauigoa is ranked as the No. 1 offensive tackle.
- Rueben Bain Jr. is the No. 1 defensive end.
- Akheem Mesidor is right behind him at No. 3.
The "ranking" of the program's talent is at an all-time high.
What to Watch Next
If you are tracking the Hurricanes, the "ranking" is about to become irrelevant in favor of "Champion."
What you should do now:
- Check the Post-Championship Polls: Win or lose against Indiana on Jan 19, the final AP Poll will be released the following morning. If Miami wins, they will finish No. 1. If they lose, they likely finish No. 2 or 3.
- Follow the NET Rankings: For the basketball fans, keep an eye on the NCAA NET rankings every Monday. A couple more wins against North Carolina or Duke will launch them into the top 20.
- Watch the Transfer Portal: With the success of Carson Beck (over 3,000 passing yards this year), Miami is currently ranked in the top 5 for 2026 recruiting and portal interest.
The "U" is back in the conversation, and for once, the hype actually matches the record.