Mario Cristobal’s Miami entered Monday’s College Football Playoff National Championship as the underdog against Indiana. Despite the Hurricanes’ strong finish to the season, hopes of an upset over Curt Cignetti’s Hoosiers didn’t materialize, as Miami fell 27-21.
However, the Hurricanes played brilliantly in the title game, something that few can deny.
FSU Alum Claims Mario Cristobal’s Miami Has ‘The U’ Back Following Title Loss to Indiana
Miami faced heavy criticism after being selected over Notre Dame for the playoff, but the Hurricanes swiftly silenced their doubters with one of the most impressive postseason runs in recent memory. They defeated No. 7 Texas A&M, defending champion and No. 2 Ohio State, and No. 6 Ole Miss to advance to the national title game.
ESPN analyst and former Florida State quarterback, EJ Manuel, on the “First Take” podcast on Tuesday, gave his take on Miami’s season after the loss to Indiana in the CFP National Championship
“I think they’re back, and I’m saying this as a Florida State guy,” Manuel said. “So that’s not easy for me to say, but I do think the way that they built this program. In the trenches right, offensively and defensively in the lines of scrimmage, they’re still really strong… I do think you can have potentially another special year there at Miami.”
Manuel’s assessment is supported by the results, as Miami beat four top-10 teams and achieved 13 wins for the first time in program history. The Hurricanes seem to be revived under Cristobal’s leadership, who played for the program from 1989-1992.
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Cristobal returned to lead his alma mater in 2022 and has quickly restored Miami’s national relevance. Under Cristobal, the program has improved by at least two wins each season: 5-7 in 2022, 7-6 in 2023, 10-3 in 2024, and 13-3 in 2025.
If the trend continues, Miami is set for another exceptional season in 2026, and Cristobal is also keeping a positive outlook.
“At the end of the day, any loss is going to be painful, but I’d like to reflect on the fact that these guys won 13 games this year,” Cristobal said following the Indiana loss.
“They got to the postseason for the first time in Miami Playoff history, then beat four top-10 teams, seven top-25 teams, won the Fiesta Bowl, won the Cotton Bowl, and I’ll take blame that we were one drive short of winning the National Championship.”
“I don’t see anything negative, but I do see pain in moments like this. But we should, if we’re a competitor worth anything. You feel it, and you give those feelings a direction. I know the guys coming back will, and I know the guys moving on will continue to use that as fuel.”
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Cristobal’s Miami has gone 35-19 since he took over, and 23-6 over the past two seasons, which points to the program heading in a positive direction.
His focus now will be on rebuilding the 2026 roster, as Miami could lose key players to the NFL Draft, including quarterback Carson Beck (who finished the season with an impact score of 83.3, per PFSN’s College Football QBi), wide receiver Keelan Marion, and defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr.
