Hurricanes look to keep playoff hopes alive as they host NC State in final home game
When the Miami Hurricanes host the NC State Wolfpack on Saturday, it will be their final of eight games on their regular-season slate at Hard Rock Stadium for the 2025 season.
But if things work out in the Hurricanes’ favor, they might still have a chance to play more games on their home field before the season comes to an end.
“Hopefully this is not going to be the last time,” said star right tackle Francis Mauigoa, a junior who is being viewed as a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Miami still has an outside chance of having potentially up to two more games on their home field this year if they were to make the College Football Playoff — the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1 is a CFP quarterfinal and, more importantly, the national championship on Jan. 19 is at Hard Rock Stadium.
But to have that chance, No. 15 Miami (7-2, 3-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) will need to win each of its final three games — Saturday against NC State (5-4, 2-3 ACC), Nov. 22 at Virginia Tech and Nov. 29 at No. 22 Pittsburgh — and get some external help.
For now, UM is keeping its focus on the first of those objectives because that’s the only part they have power over.
“All we can do is just continue to win,” quarterback Carson Beck said. “That’s really all we can control. Just trying to execute each and every day, and then ultimately on Saturday go out there and put up more points than our opponents. Where we get ranked is somewhat in our control, somewhat out of our control.”
First up on this three-game run is NC State, a team that has been in the middle of the pack in the ACC but has a couple marquee wins on its resume.
Most notable of them came in the Wolfpack’s last time game out, when they beat previously undefeated Georgia Tech 48-36 on Nov. 1.
The offense, led by quarterback CJ Bailey and running backs Hollywood Smothers (who is dealing with injury) and Jayden Duke Scott, is explosive. The Wolfpack is one of eight teams nationally with at least 10 plays of 50-plus yards this season.
The defense, however, has given up at least 400 yards in seven of nine games — including an average of 524.3 yards over its past three games, all against ranked opponents (Notre Dame, Pittsburgh and Georgia Tech).
“They understand that they have a great team coming in here, maybe the hottest offensive team and maybe one of those physical defenses that we have faced,” Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal said. “They’re very much where their feet are mentality. ... They’re ready to get after it.”
Seniors reflect
They also want to make sure their seniors end their home slate — or at least the regular-season portion of it, should things go Miami’s way with a potential playoff berth — on the right note.
The Hurricanes will honor their seniors before the game Saturday.
Here is what some of those seniors had to say this week about their time at Miami:
▪ Right guard Anez Cooper: “I feel like it’s very special because when I was a high school and I had no offers or nobody to commit to, I’m just happy that Mario just bought me in and he just believed in my ability. ... It came fast. It got over fast. I was just a freshman, and I look up now I’m playing my last game at Hard Rock. It’s emotional. I’m gonna be emotional walking out there and my last time gonna be running through that tunnel. I’m just trying to take it all in, and just get ready to get the wins with my boys.”
▪ Safety Jakobe Thomas: “That means everything to me. My biggest thing coming here was I had to make a name for myself, but I didn’t think I was going to fall as much in love with this place as I did. Hard rock, fun place to play. It’s so beautiful to play in there. So for this to be my last one in there, it’s kind of surreal because it ended so quick, but I’m just excited to have this fan base and do everything we can for them.”
▪ Wide receiver Keelan Marion: “I know I might cry. I’m gonna try to hold it in, though I might cry. I know it’s been a long journey, but I don’t regret anything. I don’t regret where I’ve been, the route I took or anything. I’m forever thankful for this program, the culture, just the coaching staff giving me the opportunity to come in here and play with these guys. I love them. I love these guys like I’ve known him for years.”
▪ Center James Brockermeyer: “The University of Miami has meant the world to me. There’s a lot of uncertainty, and there’s the whole transfer portal thing and coming here, but everyone is welcomed me with open arms. People have been so good to me here. The coaches have been incredible to me. Our fans have been awesome. At the end of the day, the players I’m on the field with have been incredible, and I’m super blessed to be able to have these experiences with them.”
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