Mario Cristobal does not want his players or anyone else assuming the outcome against Florida State is already decided.
With No. 3 Miami (5-0, 3-0 ACC) a three-touchdown favorite against the Seminoles (3-3, 1-2) on Saturday night at Hard Rock Stadium, the Hurricanes' coach addressed the topic directly this week.
"If anyone is assuming that they should win or they're entitled to winning, they're out of their minds," Cristobal said. "They're gonna get beat."
Canes HC Mario Cristobal on the attitude of his team as they enter FSU week with people expecting them to win handily:
— Will Manso (@WillManso) October 12, 2026
“If anyone is assuming that they should win or they’re entitled to winning, they’re out of their minds. They’re gonna get beat.”
(🎥 @CanesFootball) pic.twitter.com/8joXA4xAFt
Cristobal wants Miami focused this week
He expanded on the point during his media availability, noting that Florida State has been competitive in several games this season despite its record.
The Seminoles led Alabama 21-6 in the first half earlier this year and were within seven points late. Cristobal also pointed to recent results around the country, including unranked teams beating ranked opponents, as evidence that talent levels are high across the sport and that no result should be taken for granted.
"Football nowadays, everybody has really, really good talent. If anyone is assuming that they should win or they're entitled to winning, they're out of their minds. They're going to get beat, and we hammer that and drive that home. Not only in terms of preaching it and showing it, and really ripping through examples around the country, but you make it the way you practice. You really challenge your guys. You make sure your coaches are on edge. Your entire organization is on edge."Mario Cristobal
If you know Cristobal, these comments fit a long-standing approach of focusing on the process rather than the external expectations that surround college football.
Miami-FSU Rivalry
Cristobal has also extended major respect to the Miami-Florida State series, describing the matchup as the greatest rivalry in sports.
Miami has won the last two meetings, including a 28-22 victory in Tallahassee last season in which the Hurricanes led 28-3 before Florida State scored 19 points in the fourth quarter. Six of the last 10 games in the series have been decided by one score.
Cristobal said the staff is using recent examples of upsets and close games to reinforce the message in practice. He mentioned two games: Florida State's loss to Alabama earlier this season and Oklahoma's upset win over Texas last Saturday.
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