College Football Rankings 2017: Projected Top 25 after Week 1

ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 02: Bo Scarbrough #9, head coach Nick Saban, and Jalen Hurts #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrate with the Chick-fil-A Kick-Off Game trophy after defeating the Florida State Seminoles 24-7 in their game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL – SEPTEMBER 02: University of Miami wide receiver Braxton Berrios (8) scores during an NCAA football game between Bethune-Cookman University and the University of Miami Hurricanes on September 2, 2017 at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida. Miami defeated Bethune-Cookman 41-13. (Photo by Richard C. Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

17. Miami Hurricanes

Ranking before Week 1: No. 18

The Hurricanes should move up a spot in the rankings after in-state rival Florida’s loss to Michigan and a 41-13 victory over Bethune-Cookman at home to open their season.

Is this the year that the ‘Canes finally rise back to national prominence?

Their schedule isn’t too scary. There’s meetings with in-state rival Florida State on the road and hosting Virginia Tech and Notre Dame in November, but Miami has some talent on both sides of the ball.

The expectations aren’t as high as they used to be in Miami, but this season could be the start of something for the Hurricanes. He never brought that national title to Georgia, but Mark Richt always had his former Bulldogs teams in positions to take that next step and become something special. He’s a Miami guy that can recruit that “State of Miami” in South Florida.

Starting running back Mark Walton has the potential to be one of the best players in college football this season and is definitely a dark horse Heisman Trophy contender if the Hurricanes can find some success this year.

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