If college football were to be a breakfast aisle, Mario Cristobal and his Miami Hurricanes surely wouldn’t like a pop-tart on their plate. That feels to be a half-empty toaster than a piping-hot pastry. The Hurricanes entered Orlando with a respectable 10-2 record and the No. 13 ranking, yet there’s an air of disappointment hanging over the program like the scent of burnt frosting. Just a week ago, fans were dreaming of what could’ve been—a playoff spot in the new 12-team format. Finishing at No. 13, unfortunately for the head coach Mario and Canes, the bad news continues to pile up. It doesn’t seem like the U is in a pop-tart mood.

Well, they’ll have to focus because the Pop-Tart Bowl isn’t going to play itself tomorrow. On the College Football Addiction podcast, TJ and guest analyst Gaby didn’t hold back when dissecting Miami’s insider scoop—and yes, it’s something the Canes won’t love to hear. But first, because of priorities, they kicked things off by debating their favorite Pop-Tart flavors. “I’m a huge S’mores fan,” TJ declared proudly, while Gaby stuck to the classic “OG strawberry flavor.” Fun and games aside, they quickly got down to business. “Honestly, the only loss that really makes you go, ‘Oh dang, that’s a tough one,’ is Isaiah Horton,” Gaby revealed.

Isaiah Horton, Miami’s third-leading receiver this season, isn’t just opting out—he’s transferring to Alabama. That’s a double whammy for the Hurricanes, especially with Xavier Restrepo, Miami’s star slot receiver, reportedly hitting the portal as well, which is the BIGGEST loss. “I think why it’s a bigger loss to because Xavier Restrepo, is not going to play or at least that’s my understanding is he’s not going to play.” Gaby continued. Losing Horton’s size and Restrepo’s explosiveness is a one-two punch that even Miami’s “committed culture,” as head coach Mario Cristobal described it, will struggle to overcome.

The numbers make the losses even more glaring. Horton finished the season with 56 catches for 616 yards, offering a reliable target with size and poise. Restrepo? His absence is practically a neon sign of trouble for Miami’s offense. The Senio lit up the ACC this year, pulling in 69 receptions for 1,127 yards and 11 touchdowns. His efforts earned him a First-Team All-ACC nod for the second straight year, cementing him as a cornerstone of Miami’s attack.

Without those two on the field, Cam Ward, the Heisman finalist QB1, who has been Miami’s maestro this season—will have to improvise with fewer options in Hurricanes vs the Cyclones. And kudos to the guy who still chose to play what could be his final CFB game despite knowing the risks. Superman Cam could jeopardize his potential top NFL draft stock (possible injury), making it a high-risk move for his future.

Mario Cristobal, to his credit, is putting on a brave face. While that sounds good on paper, it doesn’t erase the sting of Horton’s transfer or the void left by Restrepo. “For the most part, this is going to be a pretty close to 100% of what Miami’s team was, I guess maybe like 90% without those guys,” Gaby remarked on the podcast. Although two more have hit the portal, with running backs Ajay Allen and Chris Johnson. Apart from these, no Hurricanes players have publicly announced that they have opted out of the bowl game. But in a game where 10% can be the difference between a win and a loss, that margin looms large.

Mario Cristobal confident or delusional?

While Miami hasn’t officially revealed who will suit up on Saturday, one thing is clear—opt-outs are not dominating the conversation. Despite all of this, Head Coach Mario Cristobal emphasized that the lack of players sitting out, apart from transfers, is a testament to the Hurricanes’ “highly effective, productive, and committed culture.” And he didn’t mince words about what that culture represents.

“Our job isn’t just to develop great football players and win games,” Cristobal shared on Friday. “It’s to mold young men, teaching them what’s right and how to do things the right way.” Then, he dropped a truth bomb for all the parents in the room. “Can you imagine telling your own son, ‘Hey, you can start this, but don’t worry about finishing it?’ Nobody here would endorse that kind of message.”

Cristobal went on to highlight the significance of Miami’s upcoming matchup against Iowa State, calling it a game that pits two programs with strong, defined cultures against each other. Miami’s 2024 campaign was supposed to be a breakthrough—a chance to reassert themselves as a national powerhouse. Instead, they’re staring down a bittersweet end to a season of near-misses and what-ifs.