The 42-41 loss by Miami to Iowa State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl was their third in the last four games to finish the 2024 season, Miami has lost at least three of its last four games in each of the first three seasons under Mario Cristobal. In Cristobal's first two years, those losses prevented winning seasons.
In Cristobal's first season Miami started 4-4. Miami needed only two wins in its final four games to become bowl-eligible. A 45-3 loss to Florida State began a spiral to three losses in its final four games. Miami seemed to recover from the blow home loss to FSU with a 35-14 win at Georgia Tech a week later.
The win over Georgia Tech put Miami in position to win one game to become bowl-eligible. A 40-10 loss at Clemson meant Miami had to beat Pittsburgh at home in the regular season finale at Hard Rock Stadium to become bowl-eligible. Pittsburgh beat Miami 42-16 to end the Hurricanes' season at 5-7.
Miami started the 2023 season 6-2. The Hurricanes needed only one win in its remaining four regular season games and a bowl game to ensure a winning season. Miami lost its next three games to North Carolina State, Florida State and Louisville to drop to 6-5.
Bowl games are glorified exhibitions, sure, but the way Miami ended this season is the epitome of disappointment. Canes had their destiny in their hands. End up losing three of their last four.
— Andrea Adelson (@aadelsonESPN) December 29, 2024
A 45-20 win at Boston College in the regular season finale secured a winning season. With Jacurri Brown as the only scholarship quarterback for the Pinstripe Bowl, Miami was defeated 31-24 by Rutgers. What once appeared to be a promising season concluded with Miami losing four of its final five games and a 7-6 record.
With generation QB Cam Ward Miami started 9-0 and was trending towards a sure College Football Playoff berth. An unexpected loss at Georgia Tech followed by Syracuse defeating Miami two games later dropped Miami to 10-2 ending the 2024 regular season and out of the College Football Playoff.
With several key players missing, particularly on offense and Ward not playing in the second half, Miami lost to Iowa State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl and once again finished the season with three losses in its final four games. Based on how the ending of seasons have trended under Cristobal he needs to emphasize closing strong in 2025.