Mario Cristobal on looming clash with Florida Gators: 'Our focus is on Miami'

Mario Cristobal had zero time to speak about the Florida Gators during his time on the podium at ACC Media Days.

While the Miami Hurricanes will be facing the Gators in a highly anticipated clash on Aug. 31, Cirtsobal is focused on what’s transpiring before that fateful afternoon. As he enters his third season with Miami, it’s a pivotal one, and the Florida-sized distraction won’t cloud the Hurricanes’ vision.

“It’s a tremendous rivalry. I know our fanbase and everybody is really incredibly fired up about that. But we’re not going to be talking about the Florida Gators,” Cristobal said. “We have training camp coming up, and for us to be the best team that we can be on Aug. 31, we have to have a great training camp. We have to improve our systems, our techniques, our ability to communicate, to execute, and without any of that, nothing else is really possible. So, there will be a time when we get to it.

“I’m in no way, shape or form disrespecting your question, but I think when you talk to these guys, they’ll be in the same mindset. Our focus is on Miami, and in due time, we’ll be addressing our first game.”

While the Gators aren’t expected to be world beaters in 2024, Florida will be ready for their showdown with the Hurricanes. With such a difficult schedule, it’s paramount that Florida wins against their in-state rival, even if the game is in August.

Time will tell who gets to start their season with a bang, but whoever the lose is will be playing catch up for the early part of the season, and that’s something Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes can’t afford in 2024.

Mario Cristobal: Cam Ward is a ‘game changer’ for Miami

Moreover, the expectations for the Miami Hurricanes are as high as they’ve been during the Mario Cristobal era of the program. Highlighted by a haul of proven players joining the team through the transfer portal this offseason including experienced standout quarterback Cam Ward. 

Ward joins the Hurricanes with 44 career starts between his time at Incarnate Word and Washington State and could very well be the key to Miami getting over the hump. And at ACC Media Days on Wednesday, Cristobal shared how Ward changes the game for his team. 

“In a lot of ways,” Cristobal said. “I think it’s very well documented, his productivity as a player throughout his career, and what really stands out in the short time we’ve been around him is he’s an alpha leader.”

“And on the way in and when we were watching him on film it was obvious to the entire country, and the reason everybody watched him was his playmaking ability, right? Really accurate, great arm strength, the ability to improvise, extend plays. A game changer.”

Ward was between declaring NFL Draft or returning for one more college season. A talented playmaker who’s thrown for 13,874 yards and 119 touchdowns in his four-year career as an accurate passer who can make accurate throws on time and off schedule.

Alas, Cam Ward being one of the top quarterbacks in the country and Miami being a program desperate to return to their glory days of the early 2000s is no secret. And their head coach is surely a believer that he could be the key to unlocking Miami’s potential and taking them back to championship heights. 

On3’s Kaiden Smith contributed to this article.