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Mario Cristobal stresses importance of keeping focus on opponents over end goal

IMG_0985by:Griffin McVeigh•11/19/24•

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Mario Cristobal vs GT
Nov 9, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal on the sideline against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the second quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Sitting with a 9-1 record, Miami is just two to three wins away from accomplishing a few goals. Getting to the ACC Championship would be a massive step for Mario Cristobal. Winning in Charlotte would put the Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff, finally breaking through after years.

Even so, none of the focus in Coral Gables surrounds what could potentially be coming. Cristobal stressed how important worrying about the opponent — Wake Forest — in front of them during his Monday press conference. Recent history tells us Miami stumbles late in the year and Cristobal is hoping to avoid a similar fate.

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“We set so many goals at the beginning of the season and I think those goals are always something that’s there, it’s in the background, it’s a driving force,” Cristobal said. “But all of our focus and all of our talk, the vibe in the building, is one that is energetic and strong as it relates to the opponent at hand. I think any thought outside of that, especially if you study Miami and Miami football throughout the last 20 years.

“There’s been opportunities heading into the latter part of the season and for whatever reason, it tailed off or didn’t quite work out. So, we’d like to prevent any avoidable mistakes or mistakes by making sure we’re focused at the task at hand. Right now, that’s tomorrow’s practice and Wake Forest.”

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Miami’s most recent example of starting well before tripping before the finish line came in 2017. A 10-0 start, including a blowout victory over Notre Dame, was met with a season finale loss to Pitt. One week later, Clemson beat the Hurricanes in the ACC Championship. An Orange Bowl loss followed, making the final record 10-3.

This season saw Cristobal’s team rattle off nine wins to start the year. A hiccup against Georgia Tech means there is now little to no room for error. One more loss and Miami is in danger of missing the ACC title game and the CFP.

As Cristobal mentioned, Wake Forest is next up on the schedule. A road trip to Syracuse will close things out on Nov. 30. The head coach knows before unlocking the chance to complete long-term goals, staying focused short-term is critical.