Mario Cristobal not so subtly calls out trajectory of Florida and FSU versus Miami

Mario Cristobal sent a strong message about being undefeated versus other Florida teams in 2024. Miami has defeated Florida, Florida A&M, South Florida and Florida State in 2024. Cristobal asked recruits to notice the trajectory for Miami versus other programs in Florida.

The comment by Cristobal was a not so subtle jab at Florida and Florida State specifically. Miami beat Florida 41-17 in the season opener and Florida State 36-14 on Saturday night. The Hurricanes dominated the Gators and Seminoles. Cristobal has infused the culture he wants two-thirds of the way through his third season.

Miami won the games versus Florida and Florida State first at the line of scrimmage. The Miami defensive line dominated Florida with eight tackles for loss and three sacks. Miami dominated Florida State with a punishing running game on Saturday night. The Hurricanes ran for 230 yards and averaged 5.8 yards per carry.

Cristobal and Billy Napier with Florida were both hired beginning with the 2022 season. Cristobal built the foundation for Miami via recruiting and preached patience. Mike Norvell had a two-year head start on Cristobal and Napier when he was hired at Florida State in 2020. Norvell set the foundation for FSU's rosters with transfers.

"Two years ago...we stood up here and talked about building it...to, a couple years later...to see a victory like that and earn the title of state champions...And, again, critically important to go out there and beat this program and to be undefeated in the state of Florida. I think it sends a strong message. I think all recruits, in-state and out-of-state, can now clearly see the trajectory of this program versus the trajectory of the other programs (in Florida)."

- Mario Cristobal

Cristobal has dominated Florida recruiting. Miami salvaged a weak 2022 class when Cristobal was hired in December 2021. Miami signed the 16th-ranked 2022 class nationally despite Cristobal being hired a few weeks before the Early Signing Period and less than two months before the traditional National Signing Day.

Florida signed the 18th-best 2022 class and Florida State in their second full cycle under Norvell finished 20th. Cristobal's first full cycle as head coach Miami signed the seventh-best class in 2023. Rueben Bain paid immediate dividends as a true freshman earning the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Florida signed the 13th-best 2023 class and Florida State was 19th. Led by the sixth best 2023 transfer class Florida State finished 13-1 and won the ACC Championship before losing 63-3 in the Orange Bowl to Georgia after being left out of the four-team College Football Playoff.

Florida State continued banking on transfers signing the seventh-best 2024 transfer class. Cristobal continues to set the foundation of his roster through recruiting and enhancing the program with transfers. Miami signed the fourth-best 2024 class and added several high-end starters with the 10th-ranked transfer group.

Florida State signed the 12th ranked 2024 class and Florida was 13th nationally. Miami has the 12th best 2025 class nationally, Florida State is 32nd and Florida 50th. The talent discrepancy should continue to show in the following years as Cristobal continues to build the Miami roster.

The dominance Miami had over Florida and Florida State this season is something Cristobal wants recruits to notice. Miami made a statement with their wins over Florida and FSU and through the season they are having compared to their two biggest rivals. Cristobal made sure the statements his team made were noticed nationally.