In the aftermath of Miami’s College Football Playoff semifinal clash with Ole Miss, one call continues to loom large-and not in a good way for the Hurricanes. Late in the game, standout freshman defensive back Xavier Lucas was flagged for targeting and ejected, a decision that, despite video review, was upheld. Now, as Miami prepares for its national title showdown against Indiana, Lucas will be sidelined for the first half-thanks to a rule that’s as controversial as the call itself.
Head coach Mario Cristobal didn’t mince words when asked about the situation in his media availability ahead of Monday’s championship.
“We feel it was unjustly administrated & now it impacts the last game of the season,” Cristobal said, clearly frustrated by both the ruling and its ripple effect.
And it’s hard to blame him. The targeting rule, which automatically carries a first-half suspension for the next game if the penalty occurs in the second half, has long been a lightning rod for debate.
In this case, the consequences are magnified. Lucas isn’t just any player-he’s been a key piece of Miami’s secondary all season, and his absence against Indiana’s high-octane offense could be felt early and often.
Indiana, led by quarterback Fernando Mendoza, brings a balanced and explosive attack to the table. Without Lucas patrolling the back end, Miami’s defense will need to adjust on the fly.
That means more pressure on the front seven, especially the pass rush. Defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman will be leaning heavily on star edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. to disrupt Mendoza’s rhythm and force quick decisions.
Bain has shown the ability to wreck a game plan, and Miami will need that kind of performance right out of the gate. The Hurricanes can’t afford to let Indiana get into an early groove-especially with a short-handed secondary. The first half becomes a critical window where Miami’s defensive front must set the tone and keep things within striking distance.
The oddsmakers have taken notice of the Lucas suspension, too. Miami enters the title game as a 7.5-point underdog, with the line having climbed as high as 8.5 at one point. That’s a clear sign that confidence in the Hurricanes pulling off the upset isn’t exactly sky-high in Las Vegas.
But if there’s one thing this Miami team has shown, it’s resilience. They’ve battled through adversity all season, and now they’ll have to do it one more time-with a national championship on the line. The “next man up” mentality isn’t just coach-speak this week-it’s a necessity.
Lucas will be back for the second half, but by then, the tone of the game could already be set. For Cristobal and his defense, the mission is clear: hold the line, stay aggressive, and give their offense a chance to stay in the fight. Because if Miami can weather the storm early, the return of their star DB could be the spark that flips the script in the second half.
This one’s going to be a battle-and Miami will need every ounce of grit to bring home the trophy.