After years of November heartbreak, Miami fans can finally exhale. Four straight blowout wins to close the season?
That’s not just a strong finish - that’s a statement. For a program that’s stumbled late in the year more times than fans care to count, going 4-0 in November feels like a turning point.
Forget the playoff math for a second. This month was about proving Miami football has a pulse - and it’s beating louder than it has in years.
Let’s be real: 10-2 and a sweep of the in-state rivals would’ve been a dream scenario back in August. And while that record still stands, the journey here has been anything but smooth.
There were moments when Miami looked like a playoff-caliber team, and others when it looked like the same old story - especially in conference play. The Canes dropped two games as double-digit favorites, derailing any shot at Charlotte.
That stings. But big picture?
These are the kind of problems successful programs have.
Because not long ago, this team wasn’t just struggling - it was irrelevant. Four years back, Miami was barely hanging onto national recognition.
One draft pick - a seventh-rounder. Blowout losses in every marquee game.
Recruiting momentum? Nonexistent.
Now? The U is back in the conversation.
From ESPN segments to NFL Draft buzz to top-tier recruiting classes, Miami isn’t just rebuilding - it’s reestablishing itself on the national stage.
Still, the ACC remains a hurdle. And not just because of Miami’s own missteps.
The Canes have struggled more in conference than out of it, and that’s where the self-scouting needs to start. Are there schematic issues at play?
Could tempo help against teams with less talent? Mario Cristobal and his staff have to take a hard look at what’s working - and what’s not - when it comes to beating the teams they should beat.
Then there’s the conference itself. From questionable officiating to baffling tiebreaker rules, the ACC hasn’t exactly helped its top teams make a playoff case. There's a real sense that the league is holding Miami back - not just in postseason scenarios, but in recruiting and national perception.
All that said, this season was a step forward. Losing your best player and still getting better?
That doesn’t happen by accident. That’s program health.
That’s depth. That’s development.
And it was on full display in Saturday’s win over Pitt.
Defensive Line Domination
Ahmad Moten wasted no time setting the tone, blowing up Pitt’s first play and sparking a defensive clinic. Pitt came in averaging 38 points per game.
They left wondering what hit them. Justin Scott looked every bit the five-star prospect he was billed to be, making plays sideline-to-sideline.
Rueben Bain had his best game in a month. This was a front that didn’t just win - it overwhelmed.
And that’s no accident. Defensive line is the most important position group in college football, and Miami has built one of the best in the country by blending elite recruiting (Scott, Bain, Armondo Blount), smart evaluations (Moten, Donta Simpson), and transfer portal hits (Akheem Mesidor, David Blay). If Moten sticks around and Miami adds a proven EDGE rusher, this group could be the best in the country next year.
Offense Finding Its Groove
The offense has quietly climbed into national relevance, now ranking top-20 in scoring, yards per pass attempt, and third-down conversions. A more diverse playbook from Shannon Dawson and increased reps for young playmakers have helped the unit take off. The end result is in line with preseason expectations - but those two conference losses will linger.
Carson Beck’s Evolution
Carson Beck’s season mirrored the team’s: a few bumps early, but a strong finish. Missing spring and summer slowed his start, but once he settled in, the numbers followed - 9th in passer rating, 2nd in completion percentage.
He’s now 34-5 as a starter. That’s not just solid - that’s elite.
In fact, when you stack him up against Miami quarterbacks since the Ken Dorsey era, only Cam Newton (brief as it was) tops him. Beck is ahead of the rest by a good margin.
And yes, he’s another win from the transfer portal. Of Miami’s five best QBs since Dorsey, four were transfers.
The portal has become a lifeline - and Miami’s made it work.
A Backfield with Balance
We’re starting to see the full potential of the Girard Pringle-Mark Fletcher backfield. Pringle’s a perfect fit - a downhill runner with breakaway speed and the vision to stay on schedule. His compact frame lets him disappear behind a massive offensive line, only to burst through with 10.5 speed.
But every lightning bolt needs thunder. Fletcher brings the power.
His touchdown run to seal the Pitt win - helmets flying, defenders bouncing - was a perfect example of what he brings. He’s not just a good back.
He’s a tone-setter. And using him more as a lead blocker has added another wrinkle to the offense.
Malachi Toney: Mr. Reliable
Malachi Toney might be the most dependable player on the roster - and one of the best in the country. He hasn’t dropped a pass all year.
That’s not a typo. Whether it’s a screen, a slant, or a contested ball downfield, Toney catches everything.
He’s the kind of player you build a passing game around - and Beck clearly trusts him to make the right decisions when the ball’s in his hands.
Veteran Presence in the WR Room
It was fitting that the regular season ended with a CJ Daniels highlight catch - the same way it started against Notre Dame. Daniels and Keelan Marion brought leadership and steady hands to a young receiver group. Their impact went beyond the stat sheet.
Tight Ends Trending Up
It’s been a quiet year for the tight ends, but the Pitt game showed signs of life. Alex Bauman had his best outing, hauling in three catches for 58 yards.
Elija Lofton still isn’t 100%, but he's finding ways to contribute - especially on some well-designed plays from Dawson. It’s another sign of growth from a unit that struggled early.
O-Line Answers the Bell
Miami’s pass protection was outstanding against Pitt’s aggressive blitz packages. At times, it looked like a 7-on-7 drill for Beck. And while the run game still draws scrutiny, Francis Mauigoa’s dominance in the trenches - at one point literally laying on a defender - was a reminder of just how physical this line can be.
Bryce Fitzgerald: Star in the Making
Bryce Fitzgerald continues to flash elite potential. His four interceptions speak to his ball skills, but it’s his fluidity and speed - more cornerback than safety - that make him special. He’s got Kam Kinchens-level instincts, and his ceiling might be even higher.
Now, the Canes wait. The committee has a decision to make, and Miami’s hoping its strong finish - and overall body of work - gets the respect it deserves.
If not? Well, this team knows how to respond.
The foundation is in place. The roster is loaded.
And this time, the coach isn’t going anywhere.
The U is building something real. And this season proved it.