Mario Cristobal top 10 most-impressive 2024 midseason coaching performance

Brad Crawford of 247Sports named Mario Cristobal eighth as one of "College football's 10 most-impressive coaching performances at 2024 midseason" for leading Miami to a 6-0 record. Miami is currently ranked sixth nationally in both polls and a strong College Football Playoff contender.

Miami is the highest-ranked ACC team nationally and in the ESPN Football Power Index, where they are 10th. The Hurricanes are fifth nationally with a 25.5 average margin of victory. Miami will be favored in their six remaining regular-season games. That begins as a 4.5-point favorite on Saturday at Louisville.

The FPI concurs with Miami being favored in each of their remaining six games. Miami is given a 55.4 percent chance to beat Louisville. That is the lowest of the remaining regular season games for Miami. The Hurricanes have at least a 70 percent chance to win their five remaining regular season games per the FPI.

After four consecutive blowouts in non-conference games, Miami had to rally from double-digit deficits in the fourth quarter to earn wins over Virginia Tech and California. Miami has worn down teams all season. Miami trailed South Florida 15-14 in the second quarter before a 36-point run earned a 50-15 win.

"8. Mario Cristobal, Miami
Thus far, Miami proved upset-proof despite trailing by double-digit in consecutive games against ACC opponents. Late-game execution that once marred this program under Mario Cristobal is coming up aces this time around with a roster that added to its host of returning talent with several impact portal splashes, including quarterback Cam Ward. He makes the Hurricanes different and his play in crunch time has been Heisman-worthy this fall for one of the playoff's frontrunners."

- Brad Crawford, 247Sports

Ward rallied Miami from a 10-point fourth quarter deficit versus Virginia Tech and a 35-10 third-quarter deficit at California. The 39-38 win at California was the second-largest comeback in Miami history. Miami rallied from a 28-0 deficit in 1999 to win 31-28 at Boston College.

The poise Miami has played with late in games has been in stark contrast to late game losses Miami had in the first two years of Cristobal's tenure. Miami has a veteran roster led by key transfers on defense and offense. Ward is a Heisman Trophy candidate and center Zach Carpenter has been a key player on the offensive line.

Elijah Alston and Tyler Baron have been important additions at edge rusher. Simeon Barrow has been a force at defensive tackle and Mishael Powell has provided the Miami secondary with critical experience. Dyoni Hill has added depth and has been a steady cornerback through the first half of the season.

Miami re-made nearly its entire defensive line through the 2024 transfer portal. The players and coaching staff know Miami is never out of a game with Ward at QB. The 2024 Hurricanes have adopted the culture that Cristobal discussed when he was hired.