At a Glance
- Hurricanes are 12-2 and a win away from a CFP semifinal in their home stadium.
- They beat Texas A&M and Ohio State to earn an at-large playoff spot.
- The team’s 6-game winning streak has reignited hopes after a low-point loss to SMU.
- Why it matters: The Hurricanes’ comeback could set the stage for a national championship run and a historic home-field playoff game.
After a demoralizing overtime defeat to SMU in November, the Miami Hurricanes surged back to claim a spot in the College Football Playoff. With a 12-2 record and a 6-game winning streak, the team is poised to play a semifinal in front of a home crowd on January 8.
Playoff Journey
Miami’s path began with a 31-14 victory over No. 7 Texas A&M in the first round, followed by a 24-14 win over defending champions Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl quarterfinal. The win earned the 10th-ranked Hurricanes a CFP No. 10 seed and a home-field advantage for the semifinal.
Carson Beck said the playoff berth means everything to the team.
- 12-2 record
- 6-game winning streak
- 10th-ranked seed
- Home-field semifinal
Coach and Player Reflections
Coach Mario Cristobal reflected on the team’s low point and the 5% chance of making the playoff.
Mario Cristobal stated:
> “It was a low point. And we quickly, we got together because we have really good people, and we work really, really, really hard. And we weren’t achieving the results that we set out to have, and that’s difficult. That’s a punch in the gut,”
>
> “Y’all saw the 5% chance we had to make the CFP. (Players) saw it.”
Transfer Keionte Scott highlighted the program’s focus and Coach Cristobal’s leadership.
Keionte Scott said:
> “I could just tell, when I first got here, the program was just very serious about what they were trying to get done. You could tell everybody in the room had their eyes on one goal,”
>
> “I feel like Coach Cristobal does a good job of keeping us focused and keeping us on task. … We’re never satisfied.”
Cristobal paid tribute to former player Michael Irvin and coach Jimmy Johnson, who helped recruit him 40 years ago.
Mario Cristobal said:
> “He changed our lives, my brother and I. We were still kind of a nobody. … He offered my brother and I scholarships. My parents, may they rest in peace, they didn’t even know what a scholarship was. They’re Cuban-Americans that came over and found a way and tried to make a living,”
>
> “Fast forward, almost 40 years later, and he’s out there on the sidelines supporting us. He set such a high standard. … Really proud that this team is making him proud.”
Future Matchup
Miami will face either Georgia or Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl semifinal on January 8.
Carson Beck acknowledged the possibility of facing Georgia, the undefeated SEC champion.
Carson Beck said:
> “It’s hard not to think of hypotheticals, right? You look at the bracket and how it’s panned out, and you say, ‘Oh, we might play them,'”
Key Takeaways
- Miami’s 12-2 record and 6-game streak have vaulted the team to a home-field playoff semifinal.
- Coach Cristobal’s leadership and player resilience are central to the Hurricanes’ resurgence.
- The upcoming semifinal pits Miami against an undefeated SEC champion, setting up a high-stakes showdown.
With the playoff on the horizon, the Hurricanes are riding a wave of resilience that could bring a national title to the home crowd.
