Greg Cote: Asked and answered. We solve 8 biggest questions in Miami sports.

MIAMI — Asked and answered! Today we solve the biggest questions in Miami sports. Some of these are timeless, passed from generation to generation and seemingly eternal — like, ”Will the Dolphins win another Super Bowl in my lifetime?” Others are more pinned to the present.

First, a disclaimer. I’m no Nostradamus. I have a tough enough time predicting NFL games each season. Then again, not even the famed French astrologer and reputed seer of the 16th Century was all that, based on skepticism. Born Michel de Nostredame, he is often credited with predicting in his book “The Prophecies” the Great Fire of London, French Revolution, rise of Hitler, nuclear destruction of Hiroshima, even the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

But critics argue Nostradamus lives on in pop culture largely because his collection of 942 quatrains was so vague and lacking of time frame as to make them apply to most any significant event and credit that he had foreseen it.

Where was I? Oh yeah, sports. Time to see the future ...

— Asked: “Will global soccer megastar Lionel Messi re-sign with Inter Miami to continue playing in 2026 and christen the new Miami Freedom Park stadium?”

Answered: Yes!

Messi at 38 still fiercely loves to compete, his still-buoyant skills are reflected in an MLS-leading 18 goals in 18 matches, and his family loves South Florida. From a business side, with a future ownership stake in Inter Miami in his contract, it behooves the Argentine legend to further build and grow a franchise that will count him as an ambassador beyond his playing days. So expect one more year of Messi in Miami before he returns to play a final and somewhat-ceremonial farewell season with Barcelona.

— Asked: “Will the Miami Marlins make the MLB playoffs as an NL wild-card team?”

Answered: Sorry, but no.

A torrid streak since mid-June lifted the Fish from the usual sub-mediocrity to .500 after a stirring weekend home sweep of the Yankees. It restored faith that there might be a bright future in the youth movement after all, in spite of the owner’s continued lack of spending. But two losses in a row followed, and Miami — before Wednesday’s games — was seven games back in the wild-card race and behind six other teams in the chase. The Marlins teased us with a flirt of relevance, but that’s too much ground to make up this late.

— Asked: “Will the Miami Hurricanes make the College Football Playoff this season?”

Answered: Yes!

For the first time in the 12-year history of the CFP, now expanded to 12 teams, the Canes will earn an invite after narrowly missing out last year. It’s expected, with UM ranked 10th in the preseason Coaches’ Poll in coach Mario Cristobal’s fourth season. The schedule is challenging — starting with an Aug. 31 opener at home against No. 5 Notre Dame. But if the pass defense is as improved as it seems and new QB Carson Beck lives up to high expectations, count the Canes in.

— Asked: “Will the Florida Panthers win a third straight Stanley Cup?”

Answered: No.

That isn’t a firm no, though. It’s a too-much-to-ask so doubtful no. Last time any team did that hat trick was the Islanders winning four straight in 1980-83. Edmonton (at +650 odds per DraftKings) and Florida (+700) are early co-favorites to meet in a third straight Final in ‘26. But with Sergei Bobrovsky turning 37, reports Mathew Tkachuk might miss the first half of the season in injury rehab and the historical odds, a third straight beach parade is a mammoth ask.

— Asked: “Does the Heat’s Pat Riley have another whale or championship in him?”

Answered: No. And I don’t want to be right on this.

Riley is 80. His status as a Heat/NBA legend and champion is set in stone. But I don’t see the Tyler Herro/Bam Adebayo nucleus competing for another title, even with top coaching and all that “Culture.” Giannis Antetokounmpo re-signing with the Bucks and another whiff on Kevin Durant happened. Now the top two potential 2026 free agents are off the market with Luka Doncic and De’Aaron Fox both signing new deals elsewhere. My respect for Riley is immense, but the Heat seem a bit stuck. I hope I’m wrong.

— Asked: “Will the Miami Dolphins’ quarter-century NFL playoff wins drought finally end?”

Answered: Yes. (No, seriously.)

Am I being a homer? Maybe. Is a yes vote no merely a hunch standing on wobbly stilts? Yes. The betting odds don’t like the Fins even making the seven-team AFC playoffs let alone winning in the postseason for the first time since the 2000 season — longest such drought in the NFL. But the betting over/under of 8 1/2 on wins suggests a competitive team, and certainly one with the law of averages on its side. Team has enough offensive weapons and a good enough defensive front-seven to be a surprise in ‘25.

— Asked: “But is Tua Tagovailoa a good enough quarterback?”

Answered: Yes. But with two sizable asterisks.

Asterisk 1: Yes but only if the recurring concussion issues are in the past. Remember, the most valuable ability in sports is availability.

Asterisk 2: Tagovailoa will never be seen as good enough until he leads that long-elusive playoff win. Dolfans spent seven seasons (2012-18) wondering if Ryan Tannehill was good enough. This is Tua’s sixth year. Tua is better. He is not an elite or top-tier NFL QB, but he has Pro Bowl talent. Those two asterisks, though, still linger.

— Asked: “So will the Dolphins win another Super Bowl in my lifetime or what?”

Answered: Um, how old are you?

Sorry to answer a question with a question but it’s necessary for this one. If your’e getting social security checks, the answer is a probable to near-certain no. But your sons and daughters have a decent shot to see the day. Fathom that an astounding 12 NFL teams have never won a Super Bowl. And the Dolphins’ problem for the near future is that there are too many clearly-better teams with young and clearly better QBs standing as massive roadblocks for Miami in the AFC, led by the Bills, Chiefs and Ravens.

Not even Nostradamus foresaw a third Dolphins’ Super Bowl win happening. (Although I think he did predict the ‘72 Perfect Season.)