Miami's Late-Season Meltdown: Cristobal Under Fire After SMU Loss

Miami's Late-Season Meltdown: Cristobal Under Fire After SMU Loss

The Miami Hurricanes are facing a troubling season, marked by disappointing performances and mounting criticism aimed at their head coach, Mario Cristobal. This tension reached a fever pitch following Miami’s recent overtime loss to Southern Methodist University (SMU), where the Hurricanes fell 26-20, marking their second defeat in just three games. From the onset of the 2023 season, Miami had a promising record of 6-2, but as of now, they sit at 1-4 in their last five outings. Now, they find themselves ranked No. 18 in the AP Top 25, a sharp drop from their earlier spot at No. 2

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As CBS Sports analyst Aaron Taylor highlights, Miami’s history of late-season struggles under Cristobal is alarming. With a record of 4-11 in November and December, the recurring issues seem evident: offensive execution is lacking, the team struggles to run the ball, and quarterback Carson Beck has thrown multiple interceptions at crucial moments. There’s plenty of grumbling among fans and analysts alike about how the team does less with possibly more talent.

Late-Season Woes

The repeated failures are not merely a current trend. Last season, Miami started strong at 9-0 only to falter in the final few games. This current season reflects this pattern; all four regular-season losses in recent memory have come when Miami was favored by multi-scores. Some experts even label Cristobal as a „high-floor coach“ but acknowledge his limitations when the stakes are highest. Cristobal’s conservative and micromanaging style has sparked concerns, with some insiders claiming he is „hard to work for.“

The impact of these defeats stretches beyond merely numbers and rankings. Miami’s aspirations for the College Football Playoff (CFP) have been significantly hindered, with their ranking influenced directly by their reputation for late-season collapses. The team’s defensive unit has shown promise, but without creating more turnovers and capitalizing on opportunities, they remain underperforming. Additionally, the Hurricanes have faced discipline issues, racking up 12 penalties for nearly 100 yards against SMU, a problem that continues to plague their on-field performance.

Injury Concerns and Team Dynamics

Further complicating matters is the injury to wide receiver CJ Daniels, who is expected to miss multiple weeks due to an undisclosed issue. Daniels, boasting 33 receptions, 351 yards, and six touchdowns this season, has been a crucial part of Miami’s offensive strategy. His absence will add to the challenges Cristobal faces as he seeks solutions to steer the program back on track.

Miami’s struggles have brought about a heated discussion among fans and analysts on whether Cristobal should remain at the helm. There certainly is a good deal of talent on the roster, and many believe the Hurricanes should be performing better. As the season unfolds, Miami will need to dig deep to create a turnaround before the postseason docks. It remains to be seen if they can push past their historical late-season issues and reclaim their spot among college football’s elite.