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Mario Cristobal praises FSU’s talent, downplays 1-6 record ahead of rivalry clash
By Andrew Olson
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Mario Cristobal knows the Miami-Florida State rivalry as well as anyone. The Hurricane head coach, a Miami native, played for UM from 1989-92 and served on staff at his alma mater as an assistant multiple times (1998-2000, 2004-06) before becoming the head coach in 2022.
While FSU is having a down year, Cristobal isn’t overlooking the Seminoles. He considers it a throw-out-the-records game.
“As a player, we never looked at the record,” Cristobal told reporters Monday. “Whatever the record of any team is in this rivalry, you’re going to get the best out of them, and they’re going to get the best out of you.”
Florida State enters the game with a 1-6 record. The Noles began the 2024 season as a top-10 team in the AP Poll following a 13-win season in 2023. Though Mike Norvell’s team has had trouble winning, Cristobal doesn’t see a lack of talent on the FSU roster.
“What you see is a really talented team,” Cristobal said of FSU. “They’re about as talented at most of the key positions in the front seven as you’ll see…their offensive line … another group that’s really big, highly recruited…I see a really good football team.”
Unsurprisingly, No. 6 Miami is a heavy favorite. The latest line at FanDuel Sportsbook is UM -20.5. If Hurricanes players listen to Cristobal, though, they won’t take the Noles lightly.
The game is set for 7 p.m. ET on Saturday.
Canes HC Mario Cristobal on FSU:
“What you see is a really talented team. They’re about as talented at most of the key positions in the front seven as you’ll see…their offensive line … another group that’s really big, highly recruited…I see a really good football team.”
— Christy Chirinos (@ChristyChirinos) October 21, 2024
Canes HC Mario Cristobal, on the Miami-FSU rivalry:
“As a player, we never looked at the record. Whatever the record of any team is in this rivalry, you’re going to get the best out of them, and they’re going to get the best out of you…”
(He said lots more, of course…)
— Christy Chirinos (@ChristyChirinos) October 21, 2024
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
