For the second straight yr, Mario Cristobal has bungled a foolproof CFP roster at Miami

Mario Cristobal has constructed a few of the finest rosters in school soccer over the previous two years at Miami. However one way or the other, repeatedly, the Hurricanes simply maintain discovering methods to lose. On Saturday towards SMU, No. 10 Miami’s 26-20 loss in additional time was simply one other disastrous end in a recreation that “The U” ought to have received. 

After SMU missed a discipline purpose by inches within the fourth quarter, Miami had an opportunity to place the sport away. As an alternative, like they’ve been for years below Cristobal, the Hurricanes have been undisciplined and lackluster in essentially the most important moments. 

Miami dedicated an ineligible man downfield, false begin and holding throughout an eight-play drive. Then, after taking SMU to 4th-and-9, defensive lineman Marquise Lightfoot screwed the Hurricanes by hitting SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings after a timeout was referred to as, leading to a primary down and game-tying discipline purpose that despatched it to additional time. It is a blunder that may hang-out Miami for years. 

In OT, Miami was inside the 10-yard line and will put stress on with a discipline purpose. As an alternative, quarterback Carson Beck lasered in on Malachi Toney, and Ahmaad Moses simply learn the play to nab an interception. SMU was completely content material to run and arrange a game-winning discipline purpose, however the Mustangs as an alternative merely pushed their approach into the tip zone because the Miami protection gave up. 

After happening the highway and beating No. 18 Florida State on Oct. 4, the trail to the School Soccer Playoff was easy. The Hurricanes already had wins over No. 6 Notre Dame, No. 18 South Florida and No. 18 Florida State. There weren’t any remaining matchups towards ranked opponents, organising a practical shot of ending the yr undefeated. 

As an alternative, Miami’s season is over on Nov. 1. The ACC has not produced a School Soccer Playoff group with fewer than two losses within the common season. That is not more likely to change this yr. 

Moreover, a second loss seemingly pushes them out of ACC Championship recreation consideration. Final yr, each groups that performed for the ACC had fewer than two convention losses. There are nonetheless six groups within the ACC with one loss or fewer, together with undefeated Georgia Tech and Virginia. Louisville and SMU each reached that mark, and have tiebreakers over Miami. The Hurricanes do not management their very own future. 

Final yr, Miami wasted the No. 1 decide within the 2025 NFL Draft in quarterback Cameron Ward, shedding two of their final three video games in shut performances. Nevertheless, this yr’s collapse is even worse, and is changing into painfully anticipated for Cristobal’s groups. 

Miami had some unbelievable playmakers on final yr’s group, however they usually performed by the pores and skin of their enamel. The offense was probably the greatest within the nation, however the protection was a recognized legal responsibility. Ward was referred to as on to bail them out in lots of huge spots, headlined by a Hail Mary towards Virginia Tech. 

In 2025, although, there aren’t any true holes on this group. Defensive ends Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor are thriving. The protection ranks No. 11 yards allowed and has held each opponent to 24 or fewer factors in regulation below first-year coordinator Corey Heatherman. The Georgia switch Beck has performed effectively, whereas the offensive line charges among the many finest within the nation. Toney has been the very best freshman receiver in America, particularly after his effort towards Notre Dame. 

Miami reeled within the No. 3 switch class within the nation, employed one of many prime defensive coordinator candidates available on the market and picked up a confirmed quarterback. Mathematically, it is all labored. However due to poor execution and late-game errors, the Hurricanes are once more questioning what might have been. 

Cristobal is among the nation’s finest at assembling rosters, spending prime greenback to get Miami again into relevance. However till his groups can end within the greatest moments, the highest echelon of the game will stay out of attain.