It’s a game filled with interesting stories.
Duke’s Manny Diaz is about to coach against Miami for the first time since he was let go by the Hurricanes on Dec. 6, 2021. He will be up against Mario Cristobal, the coach Miami hired to take Diaz’s place on that same day. Both coaches share Cuban heritage and grew up in Miami.
That’s a lot to think about. But Diaz and Cristobal are keeping things straightforward. To them, it’s just Duke vs. Miami.
The fifth-ranked Hurricanes (8-0, 4-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) will play Duke (6-2, 2-2) on Saturday. This game features a Miami offense that leads the nation in points scored per game against a Blue Devils defense that is one of the toughest in the country.
“This week, it’s been really about the task at hand,” Diaz said when asked about managing his feelings about returning to Miami while focusing on the game. “Certainly, when the schedule comes out, you’re aware of it.
I can’t predict what it’s going to be like on game day. But once the week shows up and you’re in such game-planning mode, you’re here to try to solve problems that they present. If that’s compartmentalizing, then guilty as charged.”
Duke is coming off a close 28-27 overtime loss to SMU last week. Miami scored on seven of nine possessions (or seven of eight if you don’t count the final play of the game that didn’t matter) in a 36-14 victory over rival Florida State, adding to the excitement around the Hurricanes.
“This city loves backing a winner,” Cristobal said. “When the teams win, they come out in full force and it’s a different kind of energy. It’s been great here for Miami Hurricanes’ national championships, Miami Dolphins’ Super Bowls, Miami Heat world championships, the (Florida) Panthers this past year, the (Miami) Marlins. It takes on just an entirely different mood and mode.”
If Miami wins all their games, they should reach the ACC title game. However, any loss could prevent the Hurricanes from that chance and also affect their spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff.
“At this time of the year,” Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward said, “you’ve got to really put on your big-boy pants and play football.”
Ward has focused on moving forward all season, not getting caught up in stats that place him in the Heisman Trophy race. The coaches are taking a similar approach. What happened in 2021 doesn’t concern Diaz or Cristobal anymore. What matters is what happens on Saturday.
“There’s a great saying: ‘No man crosses the same river twice because he’s not the same man and it’s not the same river,’” Diaz said. “That’s really the way I look at it. I’ve grown. I’m different as a coach, as a head coach, and as a man than when I was at Miami. Certainly, the program is in a different place, by every metric, from when I was there. So, I’m at peace; I’ve moved on.”
