The Miami Hurricanes stand in front of their best chance to make the College Football Playoffs since the CFP made its debut in 2014. The Hurricanes’ fate is on their hands, they must win out and they clinch a place in the ACC Championship. However, head coach Mario Cristobal is aware of past years disappointments and has issued a strong warning to quarterback <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/cam-ward">Cam Ward</a> and the rest of the team.



The Hurricanes have no margin of error. After losing to Georgia Tech, Miami cannot afford any more losses in their <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/ncaa" rel="sponsored nofollow">NCAA</a> season. Fans in Coral Gables were quick to recall recent late-season collapses. In 2017, the team started off 10-0, before losing three consecutive games including the ACC Championship Game and Orange Bowl.



However, Cristobal has learned from the past mistakes and is looking to exorcise <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/miami-hurricanes">Miami</a>‘s demons as the expanded postseason sets the ideal opportunity for the program to make the CFP. On that note, he issued a strong message to Ward and the rest of the players.



“There’s been opportunities heading into the latter part of the season and for whatever reason, it tailed off or didn’t quite work out,” Cristobal told reporters. “So, we’d like to prevent any avoidable mistakes or mistakes by making sure we’re focused at the task at hand. Right now, that’s tomorrow’s practice and Wake Forest.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20241120_BUS_276643_Cam-Ward-1-of-the-Miami-Hurricanes-rushes-the-ball-in-the-third-quarter-of-a-game-against-the-South-1024x576_64a10f1b.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Cam Ward #1 of the Miami Hurricanes rushes the ball in the third quarter of a game against the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium on September 21, 2024 in Tampa, Florida." class="wp-image-239219" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/Cam-Ward-1-of-the-Miami-Hurricanes-rushes-the-ball-in-the-third-quarter-of-a-game-against-the-South-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/Cam-Ward-1-of-the-Miami-Hurricanes-rushes-the-ball-in-the-third-quarter-of-a-game-against-the-South-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/Cam-Ward-1-of-the-Miami-Hurricanes-rushes-the-ball-in-the-third-quarter-of-a-game-against-the-South-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/Cam-Ward-1-of-the-Miami-Hurricanes-rushes-the-ball-in-the-third-quarter-of-a-game-against-the-South-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/Cam-Ward-1-of-the-Miami-Hurricanes-rushes-the-ball-in-the-third-quarter-of-a-game-against-the-South.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Cam Ward #1 of the Miami Hurricanes rushes the ball in the third quarter of a game against the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium on September 21, 2024 in Tampa, Florida.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Cristobal makes big statement on Xavier Restrepo</h2>



Xavier Restrepo has become the best wideout in the Hurricanes program. And it’s not particularly close, he leads the team in receptions, yards, and touchdown catches (55-934-10). Since Ward arrived in Miami from Washington State, the QB-WR duo got into a rhythym and have become a top threat in <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/college-football">college football</a>.


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As Ward is among the favorites to the Heisman Trophy and considered a top QB prospect, Restrepo deserves much credit for becoming Miami’s most reliable target. Cristobal acknowledged ‘X’s’ impact on the team and sent him a special message.



“He means the world of the program, and the program means the world to him. He is the epitome of hard work. I think he’s grown up a ton. That’s the biggest thing, the maturity levels of X, over the past eight, nine, ten months, being all about team and making sure that he does everything possible to affect teammates has really been just incredibly, just awesome to watch.“

Mario Cristobal strongly warns Cam Ward, rest of Hurricanes players on last games of the season

Mario Cristobal strongly warns Cam Ward, rest of Hurricanes players on last games of the season - Bolavip US

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The Miami Hurricanes are gearing up for their return to action against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Miami is coming off a bye week and their first loss on the season. They must get back in the win column, in order to stay alive in the hunt for an ACC Championship appearance. The Canes need their top players to make an impact, that’s why Mario Cristobal sent a special message to <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/cam-ward">Cam Ward</a>‘s favorite target.



Xavier Restrepo is the clear-cut WR1 in Cristobal’s program and leads the team in receiving yards, by a landslide. The second-year senior has hit it off with QB Cam Ward since the latter’s arrival to Coral Gables. Through ten games in the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/ncaa">NCAA</a> season, Restrepo and Ward have connected for 55 receptions, 934 yards, and 10 touchdowns.



Cristobal is well aware of the positive impact this duo has on the offense and will need them to be at their best when the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/miami-hurricanes">Hurricanes</a> host the Demon Deacons on November 23. 



“He means the world of the program, and the program means the world to him,” Cristobal said about Restrepo, via Sports Illustrated. “He is the epitome of hard work. I think he’s grown up a ton. That’s the biggest thing, the maturity levels of X, over the past eight, nine, ten months, being all about team and making sure that he does everything possible to affect teammates has really been just incredibly, just awesome to watch.“



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20241119_BUS_275834_Cam-Ward-2-1024x576_634c2d8c.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Cam Ward" class="wp-image-255730" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Cam-Ward-2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Cam-Ward-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Cam-Ward-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Cam-Ward-2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Cam-Ward-2-740x416.jpg 740w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Cam-Ward-2-490x275.jpg 490w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Cam-Ward-2-250x140.jpg 250w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Cam-Ward-2.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Cam Ward #1 of the Miami Hurricanes celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass against the Louisville Cardinals at Cardinal Stadium on October 19, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Miami is left with no margin of error</h2>



The Clemson Tigers prevailed on their last ACC game of the season, improving their league record to 7-1. Therefore, Miami must win both of their remaining two games: against Wake Forest and Syracuse, to tie Clemson’s conference record and overlap them thanks to the advantage on the tiebreaker.


 

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The alternative for Miami requires the Hurricanes to win out, or at least prevail in one of its remaining matchups, and SMU to drop one or both of its final two games of the year, both within league-play. Winning the ACC is the easiest way for the Canes to punch their ticket for the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/college-football">College Football</a> Playoffs.

NCAAF News: Miami HC Mario Cristobal sends strong message on key Cam Ward weapon

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NCAAF News: Miami HC Mario Cristobal sends strong message on key Cam Ward weapon - Bolavip US

The upsetting loss to Georgia Tech left the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/miami-hurricanes">Miami Hurricanes</a> with no margin of error. The Hurricanes must win-out in order to clinch a berth in the ACC title game, and thus the stakes are ever-high for Mario Cristobal’s program. On that note, the head coach sent a strong message to QB Cam Ward on what he expects to see during their next outing.



<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/cam-ward">Cam Ward</a> is a top-candidate for the Heisman Trophy and his stats, as well as his tape, help solidify his case. However, after the Hurricanes lost to the Yellow Jackets and thus, their perfect season came to an abrupt end, many fingers pointed at Ward’s costly fumble that sealed the win for Georgia Tech.



However, Cristobal has stated he still has the utmost confidence on his star quarterback and has issued a challenge for Ward as Miami embarks on a bye week ahead of their game against Wake Forest on November 23.



“If the result of the game changes you, you never were what you said you were,” Cristobal said, per On3. “I don’t think he changes. He never has changed. … I have 100% belief in him and everybody on the team. That’s the biggest point of emphasis. Again, it stinks. It absolutely stinks. But 100% belief in everyone, and we got to go back to work and get better.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20241114_BUS_272451_Cam-Ward-1-of-the-Miami-Hurricanes-warms-up-prior-to-facing-the-Florida-AM-Rattlers-at-Hard-Rock-S-1024x576_7e5c2cf9.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Cam Ward #1 of the Miami Hurricanes warms up prior to facing the Florida A&amp;M Rattlers at Hard Rock Stadium on September 07, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida." class="wp-image-232848" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/Cam-Ward-1-of-the-Miami-Hurricanes-warms-up-prior-to-facing-the-Florida-AM-Rattlers-at-Hard-Rock-S-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/Cam-Ward-1-of-the-Miami-Hurricanes-warms-up-prior-to-facing-the-Florida-AM-Rattlers-at-Hard-Rock-S-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/Cam-Ward-1-of-the-Miami-Hurricanes-warms-up-prior-to-facing-the-Florida-AM-Rattlers-at-Hard-Rock-S-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/Cam-Ward-1-of-the-Miami-Hurricanes-warms-up-prior-to-facing-the-Florida-AM-Rattlers-at-Hard-Rock-S-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/Cam-Ward-1-of-the-Miami-Hurricanes-warms-up-prior-to-facing-the-Florida-AM-Rattlers-at-Hard-Rock-S.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Cam Ward #1 of the Miami Hurricanes warms up prior to facing the Florida A&amp;M Rattlers at Hard Rock Stadium on September 07, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Former Heisman winner sends Ward, Miami strong warning</h2>



<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/college-football">College football</a> icon Johnny Manziel voiced his thoughts on the school in Coral Gables and sent Ward and rest of the team a strong warning on their narrow victories and late dramatics.


 

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“It’s just how many times are they gonna get away with this in these close games? That’s just a recipe for disaster,” Manziel stated. “It could have happened multiple times, and it’s a little bit of a pattern, of what they’ve been as a team. It’s like they come alive whenever they’re down 7 points and have to come back.



“You’re gonna run into a team in the College Football Playoff who’s not gonna let up, and you’re not gonna be able to come back from the deficit.”



Manziel hasn’t lost faith in Miami making the Playoffs, but has warned the program about the fierce <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/ncaa">NCAA</a> competition they’ll come across in late December and January.



<h2>ACC Championship’s hopes are still intact</h2>



The Hurricanes’ fate is in their hands. The Canes must win their last two games (both within league play) and they will be in the Conference Final. If they only manage to win one game, then Miami will need Clemson to drop its final ACC match against Pittsburgh this Saturday.



Miami is currently in a bye week, so when they next step into the field they’ll already know what results they need to make the ACC title game. The other possibility relies on SMU losing at least two of its final three league games (against: Boston College, Virginia, and California).

Cam Ward

Mario Cristobal strongly warns Cam Ward, rest of Hurricanes players on last games of the season

NCAAF News: Miami HC Mario Cristobal sends strong message on key Cam Ward weapon

NCAAF News: Miami HC Mario Cristobal issues strong challenge to Cam Ward after loss to Georgia Tech