During halftime of the Alabama-LSU game, ABC/ESPN analyst Booger McFarland criticized Miami, calling them an ill-prepared and poorly coached team. Miami, ranked fourth, experienced its first loss of the season, falling 28-23 to Georgia Tech, bringing their record to 9-1. Georgia Tech managed 271 rushing yards and converted seven out of 10 third-down attempts, building a 28-16 lead early in the fourth quarter. Miami narrowed the gap with a 38-yard touchdown pass from Cam Ward to Xavier Restrepo with just over six minutes left.
With 1:52 left in the game, Miami regained possession at their own 19-yard line, but after an incomplete pass, Ward fumbled on second down, giving the ball back to Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech secured the win with an 11-yard completion on third-and-eight, allowing them to run out the clock.
Several of Cristobal’s decisions in the game were questionable. Miami turned the ball over on downs three times inside Georgia Tech’s 40-yard line, twice within easy field goal range for Andres Borregales. They also attempted a two-point conversion when trailing 21-16 in the third quarter, which potentially cost them seven points in a game they ultimately lost by five. Cristobal later addressed these decisions in a post-game press conference.
The criticism is familiar, given that clock mismanagement led to a narrow loss to Georgia Tech in 2023. With this defeat, Miami stands at 5-1 in ACC play but remains in contention for an ACC Championship berth on December 7.
Ward has previously led Miami to victories over Virginia Tech, California, and Duke after trailing by double digits in the second half. Cristobal, known as a top-tier recruiter, has frequently faced scrutiny over his game and clock management decisions, both with Oregon and now with Miami. With remaining games against Wake Forest and Syracuse, Miami still has a path to finish 11-1 in the regular season and contend for the ACC Championship and a College Football Playoff spot. The next CFP rankings are set to be released Tuesday night on ESPN.
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