September is done.
Miami are unbeaten.
And the Hurricanes are now the No. 4 team in the country.
Miami climbed two places in the latest AP Top 25 following Saturday night’s 52-3 demolition of Central Michigan, reaching their highest ranking of the 2026 season.
It feels deserved.
Miami climb to No. 4 in the AP Top 25
The Hurricanes are 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the ACC. They have scored 207 points across their opening four games while allowing only 36.
Three of those victories have come by at least 32 points.
The only remotely uncomfortable evening was the second half at Wake Forest, and Miami still left Winston-Salem with a 13-point conference road win.
Darian Mensah has been absurdly efficient.
Malachi Toney continues producing big plays.
And the defence has quietly become one of the most impressive parts of this team.
There is still a very long way to go.
But No. 4 feels like a fair reflection of where Miami stand heading into October.
Now comes the interesting bit.
Clemson gets the primetime treatment
Miami’s trip to Clemson has officially been given the big Saturday night slot.
The Hurricanes face the Tigers at 7:30pm ET on Saturday 3 October, with the game nationally televised on ABC in the United States.
This is not just another game on the schedule.
Miami and Clemson are both 2-0 in ACC play, while Clemson have recovered from their ugly opening defeat against LSU to win three straight.
The Tigers beat Cal 24-10 on Friday night to move to 3-1.
And then there is the setting.
Death Valley.
At night.
Miami’s highest ranking of the season.
Two unbeaten ACC records.
This is exactly the sort of game the Hurricanes returned to the national stage to play.
The all-time series is tied 7-7, with Miami winning the last meeting 28-20 in double overtime in 2023.
There is plenty of history here.
Saturday gets another chapter.
Miami’s depth keeps answering the call
A look back at Central Michigan highlighted something that could become increasingly important as the season develops.
The depth is producing.
With Marty Brown out for the season and Mark Fletcher Jr. held out against Central Michigan as a precaution, Miami needed other running backs to carry the workload.
Javian Mallory scored the opening touchdown.
Then Chris Wheatley-Humphrey produced the first 100-yard rushing performance of his Miami career, finishing with 104 yards from 11 carries.
That is a useful development.
Miami have already lost Brown and receiver Joshua Moore for the season. Ezekiel Marcelin Jr. is also expected to miss several weeks.
Yet the Hurricanes keep finding contributors.
The defensive depth showed up too.
Ahmad Moten Sr. missed the Central Michigan game and Armondo Blount was limited, but Miami still produced a season-high four sacks and eight tackles for loss.
Marquise Lightfoot finished with two sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble.
That is exactly what you want to see before Clemson.
Back to the late nights for UK Canes
And there goes our nice kick-off time.
It was fun while it lasted.
Miami at Clemson kicks off at 7:30pm Eastern on Saturday, which means 12:30am Sunday morning in the UK.
Back to normal, then.
It is also an ABC Saturday Night Football game in the US, which tells you how the networks view this matchup.
UK viewers should keep an eye on the available broadcast and streaming options during the week, because an ABC broadcast does not automatically mean straightforward access over here.
We will update that as the picture becomes clearer.
Either way, this feels like one worth staying up for.
The Last Word from Across the Pond
September could hardly have gone much better.
Miami are 4-0, 2-0 in the ACC and now ranked No. 4 in the country.
Mensah has been outstanding, the offence leads the nation in total yardage and the depth has responded every time injuries have created an opportunity.
But rankings in September are only useful if you keep earning them in October.
Clemson under the lights at Death Valley is exactly the sort of occasion this Miami programme has been building towards.
Win there and the conversation around this team gets considerably louder.
For those of us watching from the UK, the late kick-off times are back as well.
Get the tea ready.
Clemson week has arrived.
