Consider Greg McElroy a fan of what Mario Cristobal is building with the Miami Hurricanes ahead of the 2024 college football campaign.
During his latest Always College Football show, McElroy elaborated on why he believes Cristobal has a 25% chance to ultimately win a championship with the Hurricanes, believing in what the coach is building in the ACC.
“Let’s go next to the guy that Dan Lanning replaced at Oregon, that’s Mario Cristobal,” McElroy started. “He decided to go home back to Miami, where he has compiled so far a 12-13 record, a 6-10 record in the ACC. He has one bowl appearance. But this is Miami, and they have won five national championships in their history. Now, I looked at Miami and Clemson and Florida State in the ACC. First of all, I think the ACC is really good. I think it’s really solid. Didn’t even list NC State, didn’t even list Virginia Tech. These are really good programs, really solid. But if you look at the roster that Mario Cristobal has this year, he has the best roster right now in the ACC. Right now, he has the best roster now.
“What does that mean? Will he ultimately be able to get to the Playoff? Will he ultimately get a first round bye, winning the ACC? I think all of that is possible. And maybe, if the ball bounces the right way, probable, for them this year. I think you can make a case they have the best quarterback in the ACC. You can make a case that they have arguably the most talented weapons in the ACC. You can make the case that you have the best defensive lineman in the ACC. They’ve been able to adequately replace some of the pieces on the defensive side that they needed to replace. Like I am super bullish on what Mario is building. That guy’s got a great feel for the portal, he’s got a great feel for recruiting. He’s done a great job in high school recruiting, as well. I think Mario Cristobal is likely going to be in position to win a national championship in Miami here very soon.”
In addition to Miami’s talent, McElroy believes Cristobal’s immense experience will assist the Hurricanes in their hunt for a national title.
“I think because they’re in the ACC, I feel even better about their candidacy knowing that Mario Cristobal has played against the likes of some of the teams he’s seen in the past,” McElroy added. “He’s beaten Ohio State, he’s coached at Oregon. He’s been in the SEC. He knows what it takes when you get there. So I’m going to put the percentage chance that he wins a national championship at Miami at 25%.
“You’re going to say, ‘Oh my goodness, that is outrageously high.’ I understand that. But I just get the sense that last year’s team was a whole heck of a lot better than their final record showed. Now, it’s about taking the next step, and this number could shrink drastically. As far as their win loss record is concerned, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be in the Playoff hunt this year. If they’re not, then it’s reflection on what goes on game day, and the decisions that are made on game day, which ultimately falls on the head coach. Mario Cristobal, as far as how he’s handled the offseason, they are primed and ready to spring here in 2024.”
Whether it’s in 2024 or beyond, Mario Cristobal has a good shot to build a perennial winner in Miami, and Greg McElroy is in his corner. We’ll see if the coach makes good on his potential moving forward, and brings Miami a national title.
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