Mario Cristobal is sticking to his vow to keep Miami focused on the first game of the season.

The alternative for Cristobal would be to have his Hurricanes resist the urge to put too much emphasis on the team coming to Miami Gardens for the opener.

A win over preseason No. 6-ranked Notre Dame would go a long way toward putting the No. 10 Hurricanes on the map in 2025.

“It’s such a big, such an incredible opportunity for our program that that’s going to take care of itself come game week,” Cristobal said in an interview with ACC Network’s Kelly Gramlich and Eric Mac Lain.

“We know. And I think it’s great when you have it on the schedule because you can say what you want as a coach, say, ‘Hey, let’s focus on this and whatnot,’ but everybody knows the opportunities that await us. The only way to perform to your best levels is to prepare as hard and as best as you possibly can.”

Miami is replacing key pieces on offense, including Heisman Trophy finalist Cam Ward, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Enter Carson Beck, the Georgia transfer who has played in more than his share of games defined by monumental opportunities.

Over the last two seasons at Georgia, Beck was 24-3 as the starter for a perennial national title contender. His tenure with the Bulldogs ended with a right UCL injury in the SEC Championship game on Dec. 7. But Beck said he’s operating without limitations and eager to prove he can still win the big one.

Cristobal said last month at ACC Kickoff he’s asking Beck not to be a super hero, but simply the “best version of himself.”

“That’s what I got away from at times last year was trying to be Superman trying to save the day,” Beck said. “That’s not what’s needed. What’s needed is just play, right? The more efficient I am, the more efficient our offense is, the more positive plays we have, the more we’re going to score. I just want to play football and have fun, and that’s what I think I’m looking forward to most.”

–Field Level Media