The Miami Hurricanes are generating serious buzz this season, but the question on every fan's mind is simple: Are they truly built for a championship run? It's easy to get excited about star power, but real contenders are defined by something deeper—depth. Let's break down what that means for the Canes.

In a recent podcast, football analyst Ben Solak shared a compelling insight: the true measure of championship-caliber depth isn't your top star or even your second-best player. It's the quality of the third best player on both sides of the ball. While the conversation was NFL-focused, the logic translates perfectly to college football. Every team knows its superstar quarterback and lockdown cornerback. The champions, however, are the teams where that third name is also a household talent.

Applying this to Miami, the top of the roster is a no-brainer. On offense, it starts with quarterback Darian Mensah and wide receiver Malachi Toney. Those two are the headliners, and there's little debate there. The real conversation about championship depth begins right after them.

So, who is the third-best offensive player on this team right now? The answer points to running back Mark Fletcher Jr. and wide receiver Cooper Barkate. Fletcher was the engine of the run game during Miami's College Football Playoff run last year, a true catalyst who powered the Canes all the way to the National Championship game. Barkate, meanwhile, was second in the entire ACC in receiving yards last season—trailing only his new teammate Malachi Toney—and served as Mensah's favorite target during their time at Duke. If you're ranking them, Fletcher edges out Barkate for that third spot, and Miami should feel very confident about that.

Of course, the beauty of a season is that these rankings can shift. Wide receiver Joshua Moore is dripping with talent and could easily rise. Freshman Jackson Cantwell is expected to step in immediately at left tackle and make an impact. And don't forget blue-chip recruits like Matthew McCoy and Samson Okunlola, who bring starting experience and pedigree. The Hurricanes aren't just talented at the top—they have the kind of depth that turns a good team into a legitimate contender. And that's exactly what championship runs are made of.