It’s been a terrific showing this 2026 season for the Miami Hurricanes. It’s hard to really say it’s early at this point anymore, as we’re reaching the midpoint for a number of teams this season on Saturday in Week 6.

The banged up Hurricanes aren’t playing game number six this week, as they are on a desperately needed bye week after improving to 5-0 with an impressive but costly 41-13 win over Clemson last weekend. Miami saw two crucial starters join their list of walking wounded in starting guard Max Buchanan and DL Marquise Lightfoot, along with a number of other players get banged up.

But that hasn’t dissuaded two prominent members of ESPN “College Gameday” from tabbing the Canes as their best team through five weeks. Kirk Herbstreit, during their roundtable of topics, picked who the best team in college football is right now, and he went with Miami.

Kirk Herbstreit and Nick Saban picked Miami as the best team in college football on ‘College Gameday’

“I think the best team right now in college football resides in Miami of Florida,” Herbstreit said .”Darian Mensah, the quarterback, Damon Wilson despite all the injuries on that defense. The Canes are only going to get healthier. Right now, I give Miami the nod.”

“I agree with you on that one,” Nick Saban responded. “They are very good.”

When playfully asked by Herbstreit to repeat his statement to the group, Saban repeated his pick.

“I agree with you on that. That’s who I would pick, Miami, at this point. I mean, I’m not giving up on the Tide. I roll on.”

Herbstreit’s comments on the injuries are well taken, and they apply not just to the defense (which is where injuries mostly lie), but the whole roster. Buchanan returned to the game against Clemson after suffering a lower body injury and finished the game, but Lightfoot left in the first half and did not return. Buchanan is out for an undisclosed period after posting a picture of himself in a hospital bed, and clarity on Lightfoot’s status won’t be given until next week at the earliest.

Miami could be set to get some good news, with starting CB Xavier Lucas inching closer to a potential return. Miami has been down its starting cornerback duo in Lucas and OJ Frederique, Jr. for weeks, with reserve Ja’Boree Antoine also out of action.

In any event, if Miami can finally get some breaks to go their way on the injury/recovery front, then they could be set to earn even more believers once the initial College Football Playoff rankings are unveiled in less than a month.