Miami (Fla.) moved to 8-0 on the season and 4-0 in the ACC with last night’s 36-14 win over Florida State.
This fall, the Hurricanes have wins over the Seminoles and Florida Gators, with blowouts over South Florida and FCS Florida A&M to boot. Mario Cristobal’s program is not only one of the best in the country, but is clearly the top group in the Sunshine State, owning bragging rights over its biggest in-state rivals. Following Saturday’s victory over FSU, which dropped the Seminoles to a shocking 1-7, Cristobal made sure everyone was aware of Miami’s standing among local teams.
“It is critically important for this program to be undefeated in the state of Florida. I think it sends a strong message,” Cristobal said during his postgame press conference. “All the recruits in state and out of state can now clearly see the trajectory of this program versus the trajectory of the other programs.”
Mario Cristobal: “All recruits, in-state, out of state, can now clearly see the trajectory of this program versus the other programs (in the state).”
— Clay Ferraro (@ClayWPLG) October 27, 2024
At 8-0, Miami is off to its best start since 2017, when it started 10-0 under Mark Richt. The Hurricanes closed out that campaign with three-straight losses, something Cristobal and company are obviously looking to avoid.
Incredibly, given The U’s history, that 2017 season is the program’s only 10-win showing since 2004.
This year’s team should have no issue duplicating that feat, and could potentially post the Hurricanes’ first perfect regular season since 2002, when Miami lost in the BCS National Championship Game.
Miami will be clear favorites in all of its final four regular season matchups, starting with this Saturday at home against 6-2 Duke.
The Hurricanes will then close out the year at Georgia Tech (5-4), home against Wake Forest (4-4) and at Syracuse (5-2).
[ 247Sports ]
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