Miami Hurricanes Seek Playoff Hopes Against Syracuse

The Miami Hurricanes, ranked No. 18, are facing a crucial moment in their season as they prepare to host Syracuse, aiming to keep their slim College Football Playoff hopes alive. After a painful 26-20 overtime loss to SMU, Miami's chances of advancing to the ACC Championship game have significantly diminished, currently sitting behind several teams with better records in conference play.

Head coach Mario Cristobal emphasized the unpredictability of college football, noting that a strong finish could still present opportunities for postseason play. However, the Hurricanes have struggled with consistency this season, particularly on offense, experiencing a notable drop in explosive plays compared to last year.

This decline has been a point of concern as they only recorded 31 explosive plays through eight games, significantly lower than the 99 they achieved the previous season, which ranked them second nationally.

In their last encounter, Miami suffered a damaging defeat to Syracuse, losing 42-38, a game that ended their playoff aspirations in 2024. This history adds extra motivation for the Hurricanes as they seek redemption against the Orange.

Syracuse, meanwhile, is also looking to break a five-game losing streak and has made coaching changes following a disappointing loss to North Carolina, where their quarterback struggled significantly. Miami is dealing with injuries to key players, including wide receiver C.J.

Daniels and cornerback OJ Frederique Jr., while running back Mark Fletcher Jr. is uncertain for the game after suffering an injury against SMU. Despite these challenges, Cristobal remains focused on improving their performance and instilling a belief in his team that they can still make a push for the postseason.

The matchup promises to be critical for both teams, as Miami seeks to rebound and Syracuse aims to play spoiler once again. With both teams in need of a win, the stakes are high as they prepare to face off in Miami Gardens.