Nov 12, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal on the field before a game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Mario Cristobal Gives First Insights on No. 6 Notre Dame

Originally posted on Miami Hurricanes on SI
By Justice Sandle | Last updated Aug 25, 2025 10:36 AM ET

Coral Gables, Fla. — In typical Mario Cristobal fashion, he doesn't like to talk about an opponent months in advance, even when it is one of the biggest games of his career staring him right in the face.

The saying is always the same: "focus on today."Now with week one here for the 2025 season, Crisotbal has his full attention on No. 6 Notre Dame as he prepares his team for the historically massive matchup.

He knows the pressure that is on him and this program heading into this game. He also knows that the Fighting Irish are one of the best teams in the country.

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“You have to acknowledge good players where they have them,” Cristobal said Monday morning on WQAM’s The Joe Rose Show. “I mean, this is a team that played national championship and was really a drive away from winning the national championship.

"They return 11 of those starters and replaced some of the departed ones with starters from other places, so they have great players. [But] I don’t think you ever, ever shy away from doing your absolute best game planning and execution with the players that you have. We have trust and confidence in our players, and we’re going to go play our best football.”

Cristobal's game plan this season is a simple one. Stop the run and punch everyone else in the face when an awesome running attack. The Miami Hurricanes were third in the country last season in yards per carry, and he looks to transition that to this season.

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“You’ve always got to be able to run the ball and stop the run,” Cristobal said. “If you can’t do that, then you’re going to get gutted."

He also highlighted the quarterback questions that the Irish have heading into this game. Redshirt freshman C J Carr has been named the starting quarterback, but Cristobal is preparing for anything that could be thrown at him in this game.

But as to their quarterbacks, they have talented quarterbacks. We know one’s been named a starter, and obviously [has] a tremendous amount of talent, and he’s bolstered by a massive offensive line, but they have a couple really good quarterbacks. In Game 1, you prepare for everything by just sticking to making sure that your systems and your processes are in place and you’re repping like crazy.”

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The key for Mario Cristobal is execution. He will be going up against one of the best minds in college football as his chest match with Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman awaits.