Miami Hurricanes Coach Mario Cristobal Faces Crucial Test Against Syracuse

Mario Cristobal, the head coach of the Miami Hurricanes, is gearing up for a pivotal matchup against the Syracuse Orange, a game that could determine Miami’s berth in the ACC Championship Game. The game, played on Saturday, November 30, features a quarterback duel between Syracuse’s Kyle McCord and Miami’s Cam Ward, both of whom have been instrumental in their teams’ improvements this season.

Cristobal’s team has been favored by most ESPN College Gameday analysts, with Desmond Howard, Nick Saban, Pat McAfee, and celebrity guest picker Dude Perfect all predicting a Miami victory. However, Kirk Herbstreit was the lone analyst to pick Syracuse, highlighting the hostile environment of the JMA Wireless Dome and the potential for Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord to outduel Cam Ward.

The game is significant not only for the ACC Championship implications but also because it could influence the selection of the All-ACC first-team quarterback. McCord leads the ACC in passing yards per game with 358.7, while Ward is second with 343.1 yards per game. Both quarterbacks transferred to their current teams during the 2024 offseason, with McCord coming from Ohio State and Ward from Washington State.

Cristobal’s strategy and the performance of Miami’s defense will be under scrutiny, as analysts have emphasized the need for Miami to secure a two-score lead to ensure a win against a Syracuse team known for its ability to mount comebacks.