Joel Klatt claimed that Mario Cristobal has to lead Miami to the College Football Playoff this season after coming up short last year. The Hurricanes seemed destined to get there last year until a late season collapse. As far as what they can do in 2025, the talent is there on both sides of the […]
Joel Klatt claimed that Mario Cristobal has to lead Miami to the College Football Playoff this season after coming up short last year. The Hurricanes seemed destined to get there last year until a late season collapse.
As far as what they can do in 2025, the talent is there on both sides of the football. Cristobal’s accumulation of talent through recruiting and the portal has to pay off at some point, per Klatt.
So with new quarterback Carson Beck under center, Miami has a reliable option, so long as he stays healthy. They can lean on other stars on offense as well.
“I’m bullish on Miami,” Klatt said. “I get it. Carson Beck, the injury stuff is not great. Elbow injury has made me nervous all off season. But I can’t get away from the fact that it’s like you can’t recruit at that level, be in the portal at that level, bring in these level of players for this long and not be better. Here’s the bottom line. Miami finished 10-3 last year after that 9-0 and they lost that bad game up at Syracuse, in which, if they win it, they’re going to go to the playoff and play for the ACC championship.
“Mario Cristoball has got to get over that hump. Got to get over that hump. Miami has got to go to the college football playoff. They can lean on the line of scrimmage and the run game, so Beck, I don’t think, is going to have to be a savior for them at quarterback, particularly early on in the season.”
The X-factor for Cristobal and Miami could be the changes on defense. The team hired former Minnesota DC Corey Hetherman to take over the unit and it could pay dividends.
“The defense kept Miami out of the playoff last year, so they brought in a new defensive coordinator, Corey Hetherman,” Klatt said. “He comes in from Minnesota. Heatherman is a really good coach … If he can bring that level of what I would say is continuity and soundness to their defense, and they should be good. They hit the portal hard to fix the secondary.
“In particular, they do have a potential star in Rueben Bain off the edge. I think he’s phenomenal. He was banged up a little bit last year but if he’s healthy, he’s going to be really good. So, Miami at 12 (in my top 25) and I think they make a strong CFP push.”
Category: General Sports
