Let's call it what it is: Mario Cristobal has built a super Miami Hurricanes team for the 2024 season. A team that is viewed as significantly more talented than the teams it will play during the regular season.
Similar to the NBA super teams of the past—think Miami Heat with LeBron James or the Golden State Warriors with Kevin Durant —the Hurricanes have assembled a roster poised for a championship run.
This year, the Hurricanes spared no expense. The schedule is highly favorable, and with new additions from the high school ranks and transfer portal, the pieces are in place.
In my opinion, two critical factors will determine Miami's success this season:
Health: Championship-caliber teams are often blessed with the good fortune of health. Keeping our players healthy is paramount. Our program has been plagued by injuries in the past, making player health priority number one.
Roster Management: Balancing individual player egos on a super team with the program's specific goals is a coach's biggest challenge. For example, will Cam Ward be content in games where he doesn't get the opportunity to fill the stat sheet? There may be instances where it's in the team's best interest to adopt a run-focused approach. While he came to UM to win, Ward also likely expects to showcase his talent, with the expectation of scoring 3-4 touchdowns and accumulating around 400 yards per game. To be clear, I believe he's a team-first guy, but this is a hypothetical scenario. This is where coaches like Phil Jackson and Pat Riley made their mark. I expect Mario to take a very Saban-like approach, and I'm confident in his ability to handle these situations.
My expectation for this season: Playoffs or Bust. Simple.
Go CANES!
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