The beauty of a deep College Football Playoff run is how it puts regular season losses into perspective. For Miami Hurricanes fans, missing out to Notre Dame would have stung, especially after a tough October loss.
Some might argue the loss at SMU was even more painful, and they'd have a point. The offensive struggles, turnovers, and questionable officiating made it a tough pill to swallow.
Yet, that setback in Dallas seemed to galvanize the team, lighting a fire that carried them all the way to the 2026 National Championship game. Next stop: Louisville!
On that Friday night, Miami was riding high with a 5-0 record and fresh off a bye week. Extra prep time for Jeff Brohm's squad felt like a winning formula. But hindsight is 20/20, and the game quickly turned.
The Cardinals jumped to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, thanks to a 35-yard catch-and-run from Miller Moss to Chris Bell. Bell's talent is undeniable, with NFL potential written all over him.
However, the soft coverage from Miami's defense was uncharacteristic under new coordinator Corey Hetherman. When Bell repeated the feat with a 36-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, it was déjà vu, reminiscent of Miami's 2024 defensive woes.
Miami showed resilience, narrowing the gap with a touchdown and two-point conversion in the fourth quarter. With four minutes left, two timeouts, and 85 yards to go, hope was alive.
Carson Beck orchestrated a promising drive, but it ended with a heartbreaking interception at the 31-yard line, targeting tight end Elijah Lofton. It was Beck's fourth pick of the night, much to the delight of rival fans from Georgia, FSU, and Florida.
At the time, the loss felt devastating. Allowing a Miller Moss-led team to dictate play at Hard Rock Stadium was frustrating.
Moss isn't typically a quarterback who strikes fear, unlike DJ Lagway before the Gator matchup. But Louisville capitalized on Miami's off night.
Thankfully, the loss didn't derail the Hurricanes' season.
Coach Mario Cristobal has Miami trending upward, and there's plenty to be excited about for 2026. New quarterback Darian Mensah has a plethora of offensive weapons, and Hetherman's defense is poised for growth in year two.
One area needing improvement is Miami's performance against ACC opponents. They held their own against powerhouses like Notre Dame, Florida, Texas A&M, and Ohio State but stumbled against teams like Louisville and SMU.
Looking ahead, the goal is clear: return to the CFP. While an ACC Championship would be nice, the playoff invite is the ultimate prize. For Cristobal to cement his legacy, leading Miami to its first conference title since 2004 would be a significant milestone.