ESPN college football analyst identifies toughest test for Miami Hurricanes on 2025 schedule, and it's not the season opener against Notre Dame

The Miami Hurricanes came ever so close to their first ever College Football Playoff appearance last season. A 42-38 loss at Syracuse, where an embattled defense turned in the most embarrassing performance of the season, doomed the Canes from locking up an ACC title game spot and almost assuredly at least an at large berth.

The Canes and everyone else have a fresh slate entering the 2025 season, and the Canes are getting some love as an ACC and playoff contender again in 2025. ESPN gives the Hurricanes a 46.3% chance to make the field and a 2.7% chance to win the national championship, which came in as the eighth best playoff odds.

However, ESPN college football analyst Heather Dinish isn't buying those odds for the Canes. She evaluated Miami's playoff potential, and had an interest choice for the toughest test on Miami's schedule.

"Toughest test: Nov. 1 at SMU. Yes, the Notre Dame game will be huge as far as the national spotlight and playoff implications, but the Canes at least have home-field advantage. Miami doesn't leave its home state until it goes to SMU. Traveling to Texas for a conference game to face the ACC runners-up right before the first CFP ranking is released is another glaring opportunity for the Canes to stumble." - Heather Dinich, ESPN.com

The Hurricanes are going to have a challenging start to the season, to be sure, with the season opener against the 2024 national runner up Notre Dame Fight Irish offering a stiff test for where this team is at early on. A return matchup against the Florida Gators and star QB DJ Lagway will be another litmus test early on for Miami.

However, particularly as it relates to the ACC, going to SMU, which proved last year it's ahead of schedule under Rhett Lashlee, is indeed going to be a challenge. The Mustangs are replacing some important skill position players, including Brashard Smith, but QB Kevin Jennings returns and the Ponies should again be a dangerous team.

Miami won't have to leave the state of Florida for a game until that matchup. However, they'll have to show that their game travels and take care of business if they hope to make it back to Charlotte in December for the first time since the 2017 season.