Miami earned its first 10-win season since 2017 but fell short of its ultimate goals of playing for the ACC Championship and earning a College Football Playoff berth. CBS Sports national college football writer Chip Patterson gave Miami a B in his “ACC Grades for the 2024 season…”
Miami received the fifth highest grade in Patterson’s ACC grades. Duke and SMU earned A’s from Patterson, Clemson an A- and Syracuse a B+ to finish ahead of Miami. Georgia Tech tied with Miami earning a B grade. While there are no tiebreakers, Georgia Tech ended Miami’s undefeated season on November 2 in Atlanta.
Miami began the season with a projected win total of 9.5. Fanduel listed the over at plus 138 and the under at minus 170 per FanDuel. After losing to Georgia Tech, Miami returned home following a bye week and beat Wake Forest to win its 10th game of the 2024 season and exceed their projected win total.
The addition of Cam Ward significantly elevated Miami’s 2024 ceiling. Ward is the first Miami Heisman Trophy finalist since Ken Dorsey and Willis McGahee in 2002. Ward set Miami single-season records for passing touchdowns, passing yards and total offense in 2024.
“The Hurricanes delivered on the preseason hype, riding Heisman Trophy finalist Cam Ward and one of the country’s most explosive offenses to the program’s first 10-win season since 2017. After two seasons of middling results, Mario Cristobal had Miami competing for championships deep into (the) season…No Miami fan feels great…after blowing a 21-0 lead in the last game season cost the Hurricanes a chance to play for the ACC title and contend for a College Football Playoff spot…If not for two losses in the final three games, this was an “A” season. Grade: B ”
With running back Damian Martinez and Ward committing to playing in the Pop Tarts Bowl versus Iowa State on December 28, Miami has an opportunity to win 11 games for the first time since finishing 11-2 in the 2003 season. Miami finished 10-3 in 2017 for their only 10-win season since 2003.
Miami did not play against any of the top 25 teams in the final College Football Playoff rankings. The biggest Miami 2024 win was over Louisville who finished 8-4 and is 14th in the ESPN Football Power Rankings. The 41-17 dominating win at Florida to open the 2024 season was also impressive. Florida is 7-5.
Mario Cristobal sets high standards for himself and his football program. The grade of B is fair for a program that had higher goals. Miami has to be able to make an ACC Championship Game and earn a College Football Playoff berth to earn a grade of A. This will be a critical offseason for Cristobal, his staff and Miami.
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