Miami must wipe out memories from 2022

Miami’s first season under Mario Cristobal did not go as planned by any means. That’s why, to On3’s JD PicKell, wiping those memories away rather than reinforcing them with another underachieving year is crucial down in Coral Gables.

PicKell addressed what the Hurricanes’ mission should be in a recent episode of ‘The Hard Count’ where he broke down the status of some of the name-brand programs in Florida. For Miami, he said it’s critical that the team remind the fanbase that that isn’t who they’re going to be under Cristobal with a season in 2023 that makes them forget all that went wrong in 2022.

“The mission for Miami in 2023 is ‘Erase The Old You’. The people that have watched Miami or at least saw year one of Miami under Mario Cristobal? They have this perception of Miami and I don’t think that’s accurate to what they’re going to be long term. And I think last year wasn’t what Coach Cristobal was signing off on either obviously,” PicKell said. “Missing a bowl game at Miami? That’s not what he came there to do. That is not what he’s going to be a part of at Miami long term.”

“When I say erase the old you, I mean wipe those memories people had of 2022. Show them that last year was a fluke, if you will,” continued PicKell. “To be real, last year at Miami? The car broke down. And whenever a car breaks down and you get back in to drive it again? Everybody starts asking, ‘Is it gonna break down again? Is this just what this car does, just not reliable, just not up to par?’ No. That’s not the case at Miami. And, for Miami, that’s what I think you have to try and negate in people’s minds.”

After middling around in Mark Richt’s final season and under Manny Diaz, Cristobal was brought in from Oregon to get Miami back to the standard that they expect season in and season out.

The only problem is he posted a campaign worst than any of the four that were just references as the ‘Canes went 5-7. That included a two-touchdown loss to MTSU inside Hard Rock Stadium. That also included a 3-5 record in the ACC that featured losses to Duke, Florida State, Clemson, and Pittsburgh by an average of over 30 points over their final six games.

For many down on South Beach, this was a sign of the same old Miami. While that might be the case, PicKell says it’s now on the Hurricanes to make some much better memories, specifically by overachieving on what oddsmakers expect of them this fall.

“Go and win eight games,” PicKell stated. “The Vegas number is at 7.5. Go win eight games. If you do that, people are back in on what Mario Cristobal is preaching from a process standpoint. I think you also view 2022 a little bit differently.”

“That’s the kind of memories you’re now trying to reprogram for people that are watching Miami, especially recruits,” said PicKell. “Prove it to the country that ‘The U’ is not who they were in 2022. Erase the old you, be the new you.”