CORAL GABLES, Fla. — They’re undefeated, ranked No. 2 in the country, have been installed as a two-touchdown favorite against their next opponent, are the odds-on pick to win the Atlantic Coast Conference title, and are a popular choice in national championship predictions.
The Miami Hurricanes are hearing all that praise.
They also heard different things not so long ago. And they remember that, too.
Ignoring the hype — the “rat poison,” as former Alabama coach Nick Saban famously called lavish compliments from the outside — is easier than one might think, many Miami players said this week. The reason? Many of those lofting the praise now are the same ones who didn’t expect much from the Hurricanes coming into the season.
“I’ve been on championship teams, and I’ve been on teams that have been top five, No. 1 in the country, and it means literally nothing,” said Miami quarterback Carson Beck, whose five years at Georgia (the last two as the starter for the Bulldogs) included him backing up Stetson Bennett IV on national championship teams for the 2021 and 2022 seasons.