National website makes Mario Cristobal 2023 bold prediction

Brad Crawford of 247 Sports named Mario Cristobal as one of his “Bold possibilities that would rattle college football’s 2023 season.” Crawford’s bold possibility for the Miami football program is that “Mario Cristobal wins ACC Coach of the Year.” Crawford lays out his plan for Cristobal to win the 2023 ACC Coach of the Year.

Miami begins the season hosting Miami (Ohio) on September 1 followed by Texas A&M on September 9. The game versus Texas A&M could have a big impact if Cristobal is to have a chance to win ACC Coach of the Year. Miami finishes its non-conference schedule at Temple and versus Bethune-Cookman.

Fan Duel has the 2023 win total for the Miami football team set at plus 116 for over 7.5 wins and minus 142 for under 7.5 wins. A season that tops the over could net Mario Cristobal the ACC Coach of the Year. Miami would likely have to win nine games that include upsetting a higher-ranked opponent in a marque game.

Miami opens ACC play versus Georgia Tech on October 7. A week later Miami plays at North Carolina in what should be its first tough road test of the 2023 season. Losing games it was favored in last season led to Miami having a losing record. Crawford profiled the path for Cristobal to win ACC Coach of the Year.

"MARIO CRISTOBAL WINS ACC COACH OF THE YEAR“It wouldn’t take the Hurricanes winning the ACC for Mario Cristobal to be recognized by his peers as the league’s best, not after nosediving amid a five-loss 2022. Miami needs to finish inside the top 25 and beat an opponent or two it shouldn’t based on odds and hover around that nine or 10-win plateau.Talent in Coral Gables suggests that it’s possible, but quarterback Tyler Van Dyke must return to 2021 form and transfer portal additions must show out. The Hurricanes will have plenty of chances to impress in Year 2 under Cristobal with a schedule featuring nationally-ranked Texas A&M, Clemson, UNC and Florida State.Duke’s Mike Elko won the ACC’s top coach honors in 2022 with an 8-4 record. Could that happen for Cristobal?”"

The gauntlet of Clemson, Florida State, North Carolina and Texas A&M will be a critical challenge for the Miami football program to put the 2022 season behind them. If Miami wins two of those four games, Mario Cristobal will have an excellent chance to be named the 2023 ACC Coach of the Year.

Miami should have a top 20 roster nationally in 2023. There will be 41 new players on the 2023 Miami roster when the Hurricanes start training camp later this week. The new players will be learning under seven new assistant coaches on the Miami staff. Cristobal has repeatedly made it clear that the 2022 season was unacceptable.