Miami lost its third consecutive game in November or December, 26-20 in overtime at SMU on Saturday. The loss continued a downward trend for Miami in November and December under Mario Cristobal. Scott VanPelt discussed Miami's November woes on his ESPN SVPod.
Miami is 3-11 in four seasons under Cristobal in November or December. That includes a 31-24 loss to Rutgers in the 2023 Pinstripe Bowl and a 41-38 loss to Iowa State in the 2024 Pop-Tarts Bowl. Three of those losses in November occurred at home.
Only four of those November and December losses have been to ranked teams. That included Iowa State. In all four seasons under Cristobal, the Miami collapses in November have cost them a chance to earn their goals.
Miami entered November 2022 needing two more wins to become bowl eligible. Losses in three of their four games in November cost Miami a bowl game and a winning record. Miami entered November 2022 with a 6-2 record, a chance to earn its way back into the rankings and a chance to finish strong in the ACC.
"The Cristobal numbers are crazy. You talk about these coaching searches and you look at Miami, they finally got their guy. Cristobal's coming home. Okay. And what's it going to be? Here's what it is. 12 and 10 against unranked teams (at Miami). Seven and five (in) his last 12 games. Four of those five losses were as a favorite of more than a touchdown"ESPN Anchor Scott VanPeit.
Three consecutive losses before winning at Boston College in the final regular season game earned Miami a Pinstripe Bowl berth. Miami finished 7-6 with the loss to Rutgers. Miami started the season with nine consecutive wins after beating Duke and Manny Diaz to begin November.
A loss at Georgia Tech ended Miami's undefeated season. Losing a 21-0 lead cost Miami an ACC Championship Game berth and potential College Football Playoff spot in a 42-41 defeat at Syracuse. The loss at SMU on Saturday similarly could cost Miami a CFP berth, four weeks earlier in November in 2025.
Cristobal prides himself on his teams being more physical than the opponent. The point of the Miami physicality is to wear down the opponent. Miami should have better conditioning than its opponents. That would be an advantage at the end of the season. Instead, some pundits have questioned if Miami is wearing down late in seasons under Cristobal.