That Miami vs. SMU game was a gut punch for the Hurricanes. The Hurricanes collapsed in the worst possible way. Carson Beck’s disastrous overtime pick to Ahmaad Moses and T.J. Harden’s one-yard dash hit them hard. On the field, you could almost feel Miami’s energy drain. Then Beck brushes off the blunder, pointing fingers at the coaching staff. Later, HC Mario Cristobal comes out blaming the referees for unfair calls. Now, there’s a serious issue.

Miami fans are burning. In all honesty, Mario Cristobal might be leading the charge. In a recent post on X, it was revealed that “Mario Cristobal said the team has asked for clarity on a few plays in the SMU game. ‘We’re looking for answers on that.'” The HC of the Hurricanes didn’t hold back after that heartbreaking overtime defeat to SMU, stating how the school had officially disputed many decisions with the ACC. “Yeah, there was a combination of holding, pass interference, pass interference picked up and whatnot,” he said in his post-game statements, sounding frustrated.

One of the significant turning points hit late in the fourth quarter. On fourth down, Miami was on the verge of leaving the field when a questionable personal foul flag turned everything upside down. Taking advantage of the gift, SMU marched down the field to level the score and force overtime, where the Mustangs won.

“We’re trying to see what they’re in, so we’re using a timeout. Marquise didn’t hear the whistle. He’s just playing football,” Cristobal said, trying to make sense of the chaos. “I’m not sure why that’s called in a critical situation… it’s really loud… we were called for a personal foul.” That call broke Miami’s momentum right when they needed it most.

But there was more to Cristobal’s rage than just one flag. He further explained how Miami has “turned it in and [is] hoping for a better result next time,” while also adding that “when you go on the road, the best thing you can do is not leave it in the hands of the officials.” That’s coach talk for the fact that ‘we were robbed, but we are equally responsible’. Because honestly, Miami had a chance.

While scoring just 20 points while gaining 433 yards, Carson Beck’s interception in overtime sealed their fate. Yes, the referees may have made some questionable decisions, but the Hurricanes let that game slip away, and their CFP hopes are probably done and dusted.

Mario Cristobal faces fan backlash after SMU defeat

But there was more to Cristobal’s frustration than just one terrible call. You could hear the disappointment in his voice, the kind that results from witnessing your team put up a great effort but still come up short. He was attempting to make sense of another breakdown in a season that is slipping away too quickly. He did say that Miami had “turned it in and [is] hoping for a better result next time,” but that sounded more like a man looking for answers than one who was blaming. The reality? The Hurricanes continue to find new ways to lose winnable games, plagued by penalties, turnovers, and missed opportunities throughout.

Saturday’s 26-20 overtime loss to SMU at Gerald J. Ford Stadium seemed like a breaking point. Miami’s chances of making the playoffs and the fan base’s confidence in Cristobal disappeared in an instant. The blame game quickly started as the internet rage got louder. Fans on X were furious, asking for change and slamming what they perceived as “meathead football.”

Actor and comedian Michael Yo, a lifetime Miami fan, said, “Miami, go get Lane Kiffin. I’m tired of this meathead ball with the same outcome. Mario is our Mark Richt at Georgia. Go get our Kirby Smart.”

Now, that comparison hits harder. Mark Richt had an incredible tenure at Georgia, finishing with a record of 145-51 and winning two SEC titles. He was always good but not great. After Kirby Smart arrived, Georgia became a national powerhouse. Right now, Miami fans want that. On paper, Cristobal’s 28-18 record is acceptable, but his 14-14 record in ACC play hurts. On the other hand, Lane Kiffin is quietly building a contender at Ole Miss, stockpiling bowl trophies and double-digit wins.

So, can you blame fans for dreaming big? Maybe it’s optimism, but in Miami, patience is running out. And unless Cristobal finds a way to flip the script, those “Go get Kiffin” cries may just become something even louder.