In a recent critique, college football analyst Paul Finebaum labeled the Miami Hurricanes as a historic program that “always fails to deliver.” His comments followed Miami’s 42-38 loss to Syracuse, a defeat that dashed their hopes of clinching a spot in the ACC title game and significantly diminished their chances of securing a College Football Playoff berth.
Finebaum highlighted Miami’s inconsistency, noting, “This has been a tendency of Mario Cristobal’s teams at Miami.” He referenced a previous loss to Georgia Tech earlier in the season, where the Hurricanes, despite being undefeated at the time, fell 28-23. In the Syracuse game, Miami squandered a 21-0 lead, allowing the Orange to mount a comeback. Finebaum remarked, “When you have one of the best quarterbacks and one of the best players in the country — you have to deliver. And the Miami Hurricanes always fail to do that.”
The defeat to Syracuse was particularly disheartening, as Miami led 21-14 at halftime and 28-21 in the third quarter. Even after tying the game at 35 in the fourth quarter, they were unable to secure the win. This loss prevented them from competing in the ACC title game, which will now feature SMU against Clemson with a Playoff spot on the line.
Finebaum’s assessment underscores the challenges Miami faces in reclaiming its former glory. Despite having talented players and opportunities to succeed, the Hurricanes have struggled to capitalize on critical moments, leading to a season that many fans and analysts would prefer to forget.