The Miami Hurricanes are off to a 5-0 start and ranked in the top 10 of the AP Poll for the first time since 2020.
Quarterback Cameron Ward has been exceptional for the ‘Canes, leading the nation with 18 touchdown passes and checking in second at the country with 1,782 passing yards.
It has all the makings of a special season for the Hurricanes, who are currently the betting favorite to win the ACC and have the best odds of any team in the conference to make the College Football Playoff.
This week, though, Miami faces a tough test. They’ll travel across the country to Berkeley to face the 3-1 California Golden Bears. The match will also be extra-hyped for Cal, as ESPN’s College GameDay will be broadcast from the school for the first time.
The Hurricanes are getting a boost of their own, however. During a radio appearance on Monday, head coach Mario Cristobal announced that defensive lineman Reuben Bain, Jr would be making his 2024 debut for the Hurricanes against Cal.
Rueben Bain “is a go” for this week and will play at Cal on Saturday night, Mario Cristobal says in his weekly appearance on WQAM. Jalen Rivers will be a “game-time decision.”
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) September 30, 2024
Bain played three snaps in Miami’s season-opening win over the Florida Gators before leaving with what Cristobal called a soft tissue injury. He reportedly planned to play against Virginia Tech last week, but Miami decided to hold him out for one more week.
Bain won the 2023 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year award after his freshman season, during which he made 44 tackles, including 12.5 for loss. His 7.5 sacks tied for Miami’s team lead.
Cristobal also noted that 2023 All-ACC second-team offensive tackle Jalen Rivers will be a game-time decision for the Cal game.
