Shannon Dawson Criticized Preseason College Rankings
The Hurricanes are currently 4-0 and ranked No. 4 entering their Week 5 matchup against Clemson.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Football
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Miami Hurricanes offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson has spoken out against the preseason college football polls. The team remains undefeated with a 4-0 record as they prepare for this week's game.
Why it matters
The Hurricanes continue to fight for national recognition after a loss in last season's National Championship. Dawson's comments highlight the ongoing tension between coaching staff expectations and external ranking systems.
The Hurricanes rose to the No. 4 national ranking from an initial preseason AP Poll rank of No. 7. The team currently holds a 4-0 record for the 2026 season.
The players
Shannon Dawson
He serves as the offensive coordinator for the Miami Hurricanes football team.
The details
Shannon Dawson, the offensive coordinator for Miami, publicly challenged the accuracy of preseason college football rankings on September 28, 2026. This criticism comes as the program looks to maintain momentum following their appearance in the previous season's National Championship game. The team is now shifting focus toward their Week 5 preparation for the upcoming contest against Clemson.
Timeline
2026: Miami opened the season ranked No. 7 in the AP Poll.
September 28, 2026: Shannon Dawson criticized preseason rankings.
Beyond the 305
The Hurricanes are looking to overcome the shadow of their loss in the 2025 National Championship. This season's climb to a No. 4 ranking serves as a direct response to the skepticism faced after that final defeat.
Fans should prepare for a pivotal Week 5 matchup as the team looks to protect its 4-0 record against Clemson. Following this week's result, the team's national ranking will likely shift again as the playoff picture begins to solidify.
The takeaway
Dawson's comments underscore a frustration with the subjective nature of early-season polls. Keep an eye on the upcoming AP Poll updates to see if the team's undefeated 4-0 status results in further upward movement.
Further reading
Keep up with the latest stats and game previews on our Miami Football page.
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Do you believe preseason college football rankings are useful for determining team quality?
