In a season that began with a goal of winning the ACC and a return to relevance, the Miami Hurricanes now find themselves in the wreckage of a heartbreaking 42-38 loss to Syracuse, a game in which they squandered a 21-0 lead. What makes this loss particularly gut-wrenching is not just the missed opportunity to play for the ACC Championship but also the very real possibility of missing out on the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. The Hurricanes, now on the outside looking in, need help from SMU to beat Clemson to salvage a season that was poised to redefine the program’s trajectory.
But the reality is clear: if the Hurricanes hope to compete at an elite level in 2024, changes need to be made, starting with the defensive side of the ball.
While head coach Mario Cristobal has made strides in recruiting and building the program’s identity, his choice of defensive coordinator, Lance Guidry, is now under the microscope. Guidry’s defensive game plan against Syracuse was baffling. Dropping defensive ends into coverage while Syracuse exploited mismatches repeatedly showed a lack of adaptability. Worse, his insistence on playing man coverage with true freshman OJ Frederique against experienced Syracuse receivers was a gamble that turned into a disaster. The Hurricanes’ secondary was shredded, yet adjustments like employing zone coverage, were glaringly absent.
Miami’s defense has consistently struggled against Power 5 opponents this season, surrendering an average of 27.6 points per game. The problem was even more pronounced within the ACC, where the defense allowed 29 points per game, far too high for a team with championship aspirations. While Miami’s defense has individual talent, the system has too often left players exposed, relying on the individual brilliance of Cam Ward and hoping the offense bails out the defense in nearly every game. Against Syracuse, those defensive deficiencies were laid bare in a way that could no longer be ignored.
Cristobal’s strength lies in his ability to recruit, as evidenced by his consecutive top seven classes and landing Cam Ward the best quarterback in the nation this year. Ward was a monster this year for the Hurricanes finishing with 4,123 passing yards 36 touchdowns and a 67.5% completion percentage. To complement Ward, Mario’s hiring of OC Shannon Dawson allowed the Canes to score 45.5 ppg this year. Dawson’s offensive scheme helped turned the Hurricanes into a legitimate scoring threat, and his play-calling has been instrumental in Miami’s resurgence. It’s time Cristobal applies the same philosophy to the defensive side of the ball.
The Hurricanes need a seasoned defensive coordinator, someone with a proven track record of running elite defenses in high-stakes games. This hire cannot be about the potential of an unproven G5 coach, it needs to be a coach with “bona fides,” as Cristobal demonstrated with Dawson. Miami’s defensive talent is not the issue, the problem is putting that talent in the best position to succeed and having the right people at the helm developing said talent. Cristobal needs to cede full control of the defense to a coordinator who can bring both structure and adaptability and help develop the talent on the roster.
Miami’s 10-win season this year is nothing to scoff at, but it’s not enough to rest on the laurels. Miami won 10 games in 2017 only to spend the next seven years struggling to make a bowl game. FSU won 13 games last year only to win two games this year.The expanded playoff era will demand more consistent winning, better coaching, and a clear identity on both sides of the ball. If Cristobal and his staff cannot solve the defensive issues, this season’s missed opportunities could become the norm rather than the exception.
Miami fans have been here before: tantalizingly close to returning to national prominence, only to see the program falter at critical moments. The difference this time is that the pieces for sustained success are in place. The Hurricanes have recruited well, developed their offense, and shown glimpses of greatness. But without a defense that can hold up its end of the bargain, Miami risks stagnation or worse, regression especially without a Cam Ward not returning next year.
The loss to Syracuse should serve as a wake-up call, for the players and the coaching staff as well. Cristobal must take a hard look at the defensive side of the ball and make the difficult but necessary decision to part ways with Lance Guidry. Giving up nearly 28 points per game to Power 5 opponents and 29 points per game in the ACC is not a recipe for sustained success, no matter how explosive the offense may be.
The Hurricanes’ future is bright, but only if they learn from their mistakes and build a staff capable of maximizing the immense potential of this team. If Miami truly wants to compete for championships, it’s time to act decisively. The fans, players, and program deserve nothing less.
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