Cristobal Laments Errors as Miami’s CFP Aspirations Diminish
Miami’s aspirations for the College Football Playoff (CFP) took a significant hit following a 26-20 overtime loss to SMU on Saturday. Coach Mario Cristobal expressed his frustration over what he termed “self-inflicted” mistakes, echoing sentiments from the previous season.
Cristobal Reflects on Missed Opportunities
The defeat marked Miami’s second Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) loss in three weeks, dropping their record to 6-2. The team incurred 12 penalties for a total of 96 yards during the game. Notably, an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against defensive end Marquise Lightfoot on a crucial final drive allowed SMU to score a game-tying field goal.
Crucial Game Details
- Date: Recent Saturday
- Location: Dallas
- Final Score: SMU 26, Miami 20 OT
- Miami’s Record: 6 wins, 2 losses
- Penalties: 12 for 96 yards
In the overtime period, Miami quarterback Carson Beck threw an interception, which set the stage for SMU’s T.J. Harden to score the game-winning touchdown from one yard out. This marked SMU’s first victory against a top-10 team since 1974, prompting jubilant celebrations from the home crowd.
Playoff Chances Dwindle
According to the Allstate Playoff Predictor, Miami’s chances to qualify for the playoffs have plummeted to just 9%. Cristobal underscored the need for discipline and execution, pointing to the numerous offensive false starts that plagued the team. Defensive breakdowns in November games have emerged as a recurring theme for Miami.
Coaching Insights and Future Focus
Despite the challenges, Cristobal remains committed to addressing the issues. “We didn’t take care of business, and that’s completely on us,” he stated. He emphasized that accountability and hard work were necessary for improvement.
Miami’s offensive struggles were evident as they failed to consistently move the ball, with issues exacerbated by penalties. Freshman receiver Malachi Toney’s contribution was limited due to the absence of CJ Daniels, further complicating Miami’s offensive strategy against a previously vulnerable SMU defense.
Looking Ahead
As Miami approaches the final stretch of the season, Cristobal believes that perseverance is key. “You can’t throw your hands up and say I don’t know,” he urged. The Hurricanes must regroup and focus on minimizing mistakes if they hope to salvage their season.
With a critical need to improve discipline and execution in the upcoming games, Miami still has a chance to turn their season around, but time is running out.
