JD PicKell: Why Miami could climb ACC standings in Year 2 under Mario Cristobal

Mario Cristobal’s inaugural season at Miami last fall did not go as planned. With that said, On3’s JD PicKell thinks that provides plenty of room for significant improvement by the Hurricanes in 2023.

PicKell named the ‘Canes as his ‘riser’ in the ACC during a recent episode of ‘The Hard Count’. He sees things ‘(coming) together’ down in Coral Gables based on their additions throughout the program and how he feels Cristobal’s values will take hold in his second campaign.

“Miami is my riser in the ACC. Now, listen, they had five wins a season ago. I think it’s starting to come together,” PicKell said. “You bring in a new OC in Shannon Dawson. A little more of an air-raid approach offensively, some more power concepts running the football.”

“It’s just a matter of time, for me at least, when it comes to Mario Cristobal and his identity and his persona which is tough, no nonsense, culture, discipline, detail-oriented. All of those things that Miami, I think, was still getting acclimated to in 2022,” continued PicKell. “You pair that with the No. 15 portal class? I think the jump in record could be paralleled with the progress I think they’re gonna make from an identity standpoint under Mario Cristobal.”

Again, everything came crashing down on Miami last season. A pair of units that both finished outside the Top-65 in the nation highlighted their 5-7 record. It also featured a loss to MTSU by two touchdowns as well as five conference losses by an average of 25 points.

Still, PicKell looks at that from the bright side as it gives the Hurricanes a foundation to build upon. In a conference that he doesn’t see as difficult to navigate as some think, he thinks Miami will be pushing closer to double-digit wins and will secure a bid to a bowl game. In his eyes, that should at least be the expectation around the program next season.

“I’m just saying I think that (the ACC) is a little more open than folks want to give credit for. And with the talent acquisition they had this past cycle as well? Just keep an eye on Miami. I’m just saying that,” PicKell said. “They had five wins a year ago. Again, two to three wins? I would not be surprised if they were a seven, eight-win football team and playing for a bowl game this coming season. I think you expect that if you’re in Coral Gables.”