The pressure was mounting for Mario Cristobal entering the 2024 season, according to CBS Sports. CBS Sports ranked Cristobal between all good ... for now and pressure is mounting entering the 2025 season with an average score of 2.56 in a poll of eight of their college football writers.
Cristobal had a flat score of three in 2024 received from CBS Sports writer Dennis Dodd, who has since retired. Miami needs another season contending for an ACC Championship and College Football Playoff berth or the hot seat for Cristobal will warm up again.
Cristobal is one of 23 coaches with a grade of all good...for now. Miami will be tested in non-conference. Notre Dame is at Hard Rock Stadium in the 2025 season opener and Miami hosts Florida three weeks later. Miami has a very favorable schedule for the first two months of the 2025 season.
The only road game for Miami in the first two months of the season is at Florida State on October 4. Miami has a bye a week before and after they play Florida State. The first road game for Miami is November 1 at SMU. That could be a pivotal game in the ACC standings.
CBS Sports Rating | What it Means | Coaches |
|---|---|---|
5 | Win or be fired | 1 |
4-4.99 | Start improving now | 8 |
3-3,99 | Pressure is mounting | 16 |
2-2.99 | All good ... for now | 23 |
1-1.99 | Safe and secure | 60 |
0-0.99 | Untouchable | 28 |
Miami has another schedule built to make a run at contending for the ACC Championship and a College Football Playoff berth. After SMU the only two road games Miami has in 2025 are at Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh to finish the season.
Miami has to avoid losing games they are projected to win in 2025. Losses to Georgia Tech and Syracuse in 2025 derailed any chance Miami had to earn a berth in the ACC Championship Game and a potential spot in the CFP. Cristobal has frequently earned criticism at Miami for unexpected losses.
Miami is a 3.5-point underdog in the season opener versus Notre Dame and a 3.5-point favorite against Florida per the FanDuel Sportsbook. It is conceivable for Miami to be favored in every other game depending on how the season progresses. The expectations for Miami will be high again entering 2025.