Herbstreit and Saban Rank Miami as College Football's Best Team

Miami has emerged as the leading national championship contender in the eyes of ESPN analysts Kirk Herbstreit and Nick Saban after the Hurricanes opened the 2026 college football season with five consecutive victories. During ESPN's College GameDay broadcast on Saturday, Oct. 10, both analysts selected Miami as the country's best team, citing quarterback Darian Mensah, defensive resilience and the potential for injured players to return.

According to coverage published by Sports Yahoo and A to Z Sports on Oct. 10, the endorsements came during Miami's bye week following a 41-13 road victory over Clemson. The Hurricanes improved to 5-0 but sustained additional injuries, leaving their roster's health a significant consideration as the season progresses.

Herbstreit highlighted Miami's performance despite defensive injuries and expressed confidence that the team could improve as players recover. His assessment also reflected Mensah's efficiency at quarterback and the team's ability to remain competitive despite personnel setbacks.

"I think the best team in college football resides in Miami of Florida," Herbstreit said. "Darian Mensah, the quarterback, Damon Wilson, despite all the injuries on that defense, the Canes are only going to get healthier. Right now, I give Miami the nod."

Miami's record provides a strong foundation for that assessment, although its schedule has yet to include a ranked opponent. The Hurricanes opened with a 45-6 victory at Stanford, defeated Florida A&M and Central Michigan in nonconference games, and earned a 33-20 road win over Wake Forest in Week 3.

Their latest victory came against Clemson, which Miami defeated 41-13 on the road. Clemson had struggled against ranked opposition earlier in the season, including a 51-10 loss at LSU, according to Sports Yahoo's account of Miami's first five games.

Herbstreit's selection received support from Saban, the former Alabama head coach, who agreed that Miami currently stands above its competitors. Saban also made clear that his assessment did not eliminate Alabama from the national championship conversation.

"I agree with you on that one, they're very good," Saban said. "That's who I would pick at this point. But, I am not giving up on the Tide, they will roll on."

Saban's endorsement came ahead of a major Southeastern Conference matchup between No. 2 Georgia and No. 6 Alabama. Both teams entered the game with 5-0 overall records and 3-0 conference marks, setting up an important test of their championship credentials.

Georgia had maintained a commanding defensive presence through its first five games, with its closest victory a 38-14 result against Vanderbilt the previous week. Alabama, meanwhile, had improved its offensive balance compared with the 2025 season, strengthening its case as a contender.

Herbstreit had previously identified Notre Dame as his preseason national championship favorite. However, after reassessing the field roughly a month into the season, he placed Miami, Georgia and Alabama among the leading teams while questioning whether Notre Dame had faced sufficiently challenging opposition.

During an Oct. 8 discussion with former Ohio State receiver Joey Galloway, Herbstreit also identified Georgia's upcoming road game against Alabama as an opportunity for the Bulldogs to establish themselves as the nation's top team. He pointed to the team's returning players, its previous Southeastern Conference title and coach Kirby Smart's approach as reasons for optimism.

Galloway acknowledged that his preseason confidence in Notre Dame had declined without ruling out the Fighting Irish as contenders. Herbstreit's evolving assessment reflected the changing picture after the opening weeks of the 2026 season, with Miami currently holding his top ranking.

Miami's next major test is scheduled for Nov. 7, when the undefeated Hurricanes are set to visit Notre Dame. According to Sports Yahoo, that matchup will be Miami's first game against a ranked opponent this season, giving the team an opportunity to strengthen its national championship credentials.

Miami also faces uncertainty over several injured players. Starting guard Max Buchanan was reported to be unavailable for an undisclosed period, while defensive lineman Marquise Lightfoot left the Clemson game in the first half and did not return. Starting cornerbacks Xavier Lucas and OJ Frederique Jr. had also been sidelined, along with reserve Ja'Boree Antoine.