Mario Cristobal wants Miami to focus on North Carolina and not look ahead to Notre Dame

No. 1 Miami coach Mario Cristobal made clear Monday that he has no interest in discussing Notre Dame during the week leading up to North Carolina.

At his weekly press conference, a reporter began a question referencing the Hurricanes' upcoming game against the Fighting Irish and the possibility of looking ahead. Cristobal interrupted almost immediately.

"Hunting mode" is how Cristobal will combat "looking ahead"

"No, I'm making sure that they don’t look ahead to Notre Dame," he said. "Yes. No, making sure that that's not a trap game type. Okay. You can see I'm armed and ready to — So, I'm sorry. What was your question?"

After apologizing for the interruption, Cristobal allowed the reporter to finish the question on North Carolina, and then he addressed the importance of the message this week.

"We just watched North Carolina at the line of scrimmage, beating up everybody they play," he said. "It's easy to see and if anyone that doesn't recognize that chooses to be blind. We play in this conference, you know, and conference play in general is playoff football."

He continued by establishing a proper mindset for the game.

"And I think instead of thinking about what's at stake and being in like defensive mode and protection mode, it's more of gotta stay in that in a hunting mode. You got to be on the attack because the teams that we play have really, really good players that can beat you and can beat anybody."

North Carolina, led by HC Bill Belichick, has shown improvement in year two and Cristobal has said the Hurricanes cannot afford to treat any opponent lightly.

Miami will face North Carolina on Halloween night in Chapel Hill. After the game against UNC, the Hurricanes will play the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Nov. 7.

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