Miami’s postseason misery deepened with a heart-wrenching 42-41 loss to Iowa State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl on Saturday, marking the 12th defeat in the Hurricanes’ last 13 bowl appearances. Their last bowl victory remains the 2016 Russell Athletic Bowl, now rebranded as the Pop-Tarts Bowl, where they triumphed 31-14 over West Virginia.
The Hurricanes’ six-game bowl losing streak persists after the defeat to Iowa State, following a similar six-game streak before their 2016 win. Miami has now dropped four out of five bowl games played in Orlando since 2009. Over the years, their bowl losses have been characterized by a lack of complementary football, a problem that’s plagued them for over a decade.
In the last three bowl games alone, Miami has surrendered a staggering 110 points. In their 2018 and 2019 bowl games, the Hurricanes were outscored a combined 49-3, highlighting the team’s struggles to perform consistently. A lack of cohesion and execution has become all too familiar in their postseason appearances.
Adding to the frustration, Miami’s bowl game woes have seen them under the guidance of six different head coaches, including interim leaders. From Randy Shannon’s 0-3 bowl record to Manny Diaz’s 0-2, and now Mario Cristobal, who is also 0-2 in bowl games, the Hurricanes have faced constant turnover at the helm. Under Cristobal, the Hurricanes enjoyed a 10-3 regular season after a rough start to his tenure, but the failure to secure a postseason win leaves lingering questions.
Miami’s current bowl record stands at a dismal 1-12 since 2007, and with Cristobal now seeking his first postseason victory as Miami’s head coach, the pressure is mounting. The Hurricanes are at a critical crossroads. To shed the stigma of their postseason failures, they’ll need to build on their 10-3 season and continue to improve. The 2024 season will be pivotal in determining if Miami can break their bowl curse and finally bring home another postseason win.
