Mario Cristobal discussed the disappointment of Miami losing three of its final four 2024 games at ACC Kickoff on Tuesday in Charlotte. After winning their first nine games in 2024, Miami lost to Georgia Tech, beat Wake Forest and were defeated by Syracuse and Wake Forest in the last four games.
Cristobal discussed the Miami roster when he was hired, the progress Miami has made in the last three years, and putting themselves in position for an undefeated 2024 season but ultimately falling short. Also mentioned by Cristobal was the impact turnovers had on Miami at the end of the 2024 season.
Ultimately, with a 10-3 2024 season, Miami won 10 games for the first time since 2017 and the second since 2003. Miami has progressed in each of its three seasons under Cristobal. The next step for Miami would be to earn a College Football Playoff berth at minimum.
Miami was 5-7 in 2022 in their first season under Cristobal, 7-6 in 2023 and 10-3 in 2024. The 2025 season will be pivotal to continue the development and growth under Cristobal. Miami has mostly new offensive personnel and a defensive coaching staff in 2025. Cristobal spoke about the progress Miami made in his first three seasons.
"We've made a lot of progress over the last three years. In year one, our roster was not really built to take on Power 4 football, and those were some lopsided games and those were tough. Year two, everything was competitive and we won a couple more. Then last year we had a chance to win every single game, but we didn't."
Miami had a minus four turnover margin in their losses in 2024 and were plus two in their 10 wins. In the Pop-Tarts Bowl loss to Iowa State, Miami had a minus three turnover margin. Cristobal discussed the impact the turnovers had on Miami in 2024 and the importance of finishing games and seasons.
"What fell apart at the end, ball security. If you turn the ball over, you subject yourself to some not so positive outcomes...Finishing is a mentality. Finishing is a work ethic that comes with the off-season. We've always invested a ton of effort in those areas, and we've invested even more this off-season, and it will be a big part of training camp, as well."
Most of the goals Miami wanted to accomplish in 2024 were already lost before the Pop-Tarts Bowl. Although Miami had only one turnover in the loss at Syracuse, it was a decisive one. Devin Grant had a 56-yard fumble return touchdown late in the third quarter to give Syracuse a 35-28 lead.
The fumble return TD allowed Syracuse to rally from a 21-0 first-half deficit. Syracuse scored TDs on three of its first four second-half drives. Miami should be better equipped to hold leads in the second half in 2025 with an improved defense. Part of decreasing turnovers will be quarterback Carson Beck reducing his interceptions.