From the brink of elimination to one game away from a potential national championship on home turf, the Miami Hurricanes have transformed their season into an extraordinary comeback story.

After a devastating early November loss to SMU that seemed to derail their playoff hopes, the 10th-ranked Hurricanes have staged a remarkable turnaround, winning six consecutive games and securing an impressive victory against defending national champion Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl quarterfinal.

Quarterback Carson Beck, who previously won back-to-back national titles with Georgia, described the team's journey as a testament to resilience. 'This team has constantly battled through adversity, constantly fought,' Beck said. 'We've banded together as one. We've shown unity. We've shown connection. We've shown that we're a family.'

The Hurricanes' path to the College Football Playoff was unconventional. Despite being left out of the ACC championship game due to a complex tiebreaker, they earned an at-large berth and made a stunning playoff debut by defeating No. 7 Texas A&M before shocking Ohio State 24-14 in Arlington.

A pivotal moment in the Cotton Bowl came when transfer player Keionte Scott returned an interception 72 yards for a touchdown, sparking a 14-0 lead that set the tone for Miami's victory. 'I could just tell, when I first got here, the program was just very serious about what they were trying to get done,' Scott reflected.

With head coach Mario Cristobal—a former Miami championship offensive tackle himself—leading the charge, the team is now just one win away from potentially playing for a national title in their home stadium at Hard Rock Stadium. The last time Miami claimed a national championship was in 2001, making this run particularly meaningful for a program with rich historical significance.

The Hurricanes will face either Georgia or Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl semifinal on January 8th, with legends like Michael Irvin and Jimmy Johnson watching from the sidelines, embodying the program's storied legacy of excellence and determination.