Week 14 has not been kind to a lot of high-yielding programs. Be it Ohio State or Miami Hurricanes, all they could pick up from their respective games was a big ‘good for nothing.’ The dangerous beauty of football is it can flip the script anytime for any top-graded player or team, inspiring the athletes and coach to remain humble even in their career high. Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes entered their regular season finale with their head held high. A simple win would guarantee them an ACC Championship spot and a first-round bye in the college football playoff. But again, football has surprise plonked for you at every turn. Despite mounting a great start, the Hurricanes failed to sustain Syracuse’s staggering second-half comeback. David Pollack blamed it on Cristobal’s heavy misuse of QB Cam Ward.

Cam Ward was the lone bright spot in a lackluster team game that led the Canes to a devastating 42-38. The Heisman Trophy frontrunner finished with 349 yards and two touchdowns, completing 25 of 36 passes in a stunning showdown. The offense supported him the best, but a clog in defense predominantly failed to stop the massive Orange offense led by QB Kyle McCord. Pointing out another inside disfavor, CFB analyst David Pollack put Mario Cristobal under harsh scrutiny. ”They kick a field goal. You should really go with your kicker over Cam Ward. That’s a great idea. You’ve given up 42 points in the football game. 42! like you’re really going to kick a field goal and say I sure think my defense is going to bail him out for me,’‘ said the New Jersey-born.

”If you get stopped, you get them backed up. You got an opportunity to put some pressure, use the end zone as your friend, and maybe get a stop, so what? You get the ball back; you got another opportunity to go down there; you took the ball out of one of the best players’ hands in the country to kick a field goal to put your defense on the field.’‘ Pollack continued blustering the head coach for a blunder decision.

Ward shouldered the pressure of delivering the most critical performance of him in the season. Although he has earned his stripes throughout the season, leading the team to a high-flying 10-1 before the Syracuse game, the impact QB, in his first year was eventually forced to treat the week 14 game as his season highlight. He read the math and delivered. But his efforts have gone in vain.

A playoff berth, which was a sure-shot discussion even a few days back, now hangs in the balance. The 22-year-old, however, didn’t mince his word like always when defying the naysayers. Rather, he made a strong campaign to give Miami a playoff berth as the most deserving.

Cam Ward batted for the Miami Hurricanes’ timid playoff fate

A loss can’t define a team’s overall worth, but it can wipe them out from a rigorous title contention for sure. Miami are still plunged into a slim playoff hope, but they are no longer in control of their own destiny. They need help from the roster to get into the playoffs. The blow paired them with No. 12 Clemson’s loss to No. 15 South Carolina.

Ward batted for his team’s ability to be in the final top 12 cuts by December 8yth. He wasn’t apologetic, and he didn’t have to be either. The QB phenom played his part and stuck to his pre-game promise to go to the game with a ‘no next week without this week‘ mentality.

But even though his teammates failed to match his energy, Ward believe Miami is still deserving to get a playoff spot. He tried to back up his argument with the typical, every winner has a bad day approach and urged the committee to see their consistency in the season.

”If we get a chance to go into the playoff, we’re going to make the most of it.” the young prodigy uttered with a heightened team belief.

It remains to be seen how the future treats the Miami Hurricanes after a crushing blow in week 14 and how Cam Ward adds his magic to it.