Miami led Wake Forest 31-7 in the middle of the 3rd quarter, then slogged their way to a 33-20 win. Wake Forest never got the score it needed to get within single digits and really threaten the Canes, but they exposed some things with the Canes.
Wake Forest QB Gio Lopez threw for over 300 yards, and the Deacs largely controlled the game at the line of scrimmage in 2nd half. In fairness, Miami began dealing with a lot of injuries, but this was a very credible effort by the Deacs. They exposed some things with Miami, especially in the Canes secondary, which didn’t tackle well. Miami was only 5 for 13 on 3rd down and especially struggled in the 2nd half.
Mario Cristobal got the type of game that you were always going to win, most likely, but in practice you can go scorched earth.
If Miami is to become the national title contender I think they can be, they’ve got some things to clean up as the excellent staff from Wake Forest coached another really solid game. First half, Miami looked like the number 1 team in the country; in the second half Miami looked a top 10 team waiting to be upset.
CANES WIN! pic.twitter.com/1ZJCdm2TiC
— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) September 19, 2026
