Ear Pollution…

#2 Miami (5-0, 1-0 ACC) returns to action this Friday night at Hard Rock Stadium as they host Louisville (4-1, 0-0 ACC).

Head coach Mario Cristobal and his staff faced the challenge of keeping the team’s focus during the bye week despite national media attention after going 5-0 to start the season.

Appearing on The Joe Rose Show on 560 WQAM on Monday morning, coach Cristobal had this to say

"Those are the same people that raked us over the coals and ran us over with a truck over the past couple years so we [don’t give a hook] what they think,” said Cristobal. “… That is nothing by ear pollution. We have to understand and realize that we play some really good teams, especially this week. This is as good of a team as we have played against. We have to work our butts off in preparation and go out and play our best football.”

On getting better…

"We have to get better…With pre-snap penalties, we have hurt ourselves and put ourself behind schedule—especially in the last game that we played," Cristobal said. "Also, finishing games the way we can finish them. Also technique and fundamentals as it relates to the simplicity of getting your feet in the ground, getting your hands inside, playing with a flat back, rolling out of your hips and knocking people back. Understanding angles and leverage. We really wanted to do a better job of mastering our system too so that people understand the importance of just doing your job as opposed to just go out and make a play. When you think like that, you get out of your gap and doing your job.”

On tough practices…

"I was taught early on that the most important thing a coach can do is conduct an elite practice," Cristobal said. "That means that every drill and every phase and every technique and fundamental is applicable to every phase of the game. There are no wasted reps or wasted time and energy. Everybody has to really move fast. Your toughest game should be played on Tuesday and Wednesday so that on Saturday it all slows down.”

On self scouting…

“Schematically, we stayed on edge as it relates to self-scouting so that you don't get pegged and tagged," said Cristobal. "Right now, everyone knows what you have shown on tape through the first five or six weeks and they are going to scheme you up. If they know what is coming, you can find yourself in a tough situation, so we try to stay ahead of all that.”

On the Louisville Cardinals…

"We feel they are as good or better than any team we have played on our schedule…We feel like they have the most proven, explosive playmakers of any team we have played and you combine that with arguably one of the best play-callers in all of college football,”

On bye week recruiting…

Miami’s staff took the opportunity to hit the recruiting trail during the bye week to watch and evaluate prospective targets.

"The bye week is just as time consuming and taxing as a regular week. You are not going to compromise the development of the team or the prep for this game, but you are going to hit the road after those hours. You want to get your eyes on [prospects] during live play and you want to see how guys react to competitive situations and how they play through wins and losses and play through pain and all that stuff.”

”It is about the identification of the right guys," said Cristobal. "We are doing a good job of it. All in all, our classes keep getting better and better and this class will be no different.”

GO CANES!