It has been an unusual start to the 2026 season for the Miami football program.

On the field, things have been just fine, as the Hurricanes, coming off their national title game appearance, have cruised to a 3-0 start, with only last week's 33-20 road win vs. Wake Forest being remotely close. But even that game was the continuation of an odd trend for Miami.

To date, the ‘Canes have yet to play a Saturday game. That not only includes the first three games of this season, but it also incidentally extends to the end of last season, when Miami played Ohio State on a Wednesday, Ole Miss on a Thursday, and Indiana on a Monday during the College Football Playoff (CFP).

This season, Miami has played two games — vs. Stanford and Wake Forest — on Fridays, while the Hurricanes hosted Florida A&M on a Thursday. And it's fair to say that head coach Mario Cristobal isn't happy about that.

“We're the only team in the country that hasn't played on a Saturday. Who's responsible for that? Anybody in this room? Nobody?” Cristobal said. “But look, I'll say this — this is really important as it relates to my own kids at home or players here: Whatever's thrown at you, just roll with it, man. Is it ideal that I ever want to say, ‘Hey, we're going to play on a Friday, Thursday, Friday.' Absolutely not. And the worst thing I can do is publicly go out and just start bashing away, ‘Ah, what the heck?' No. Whatever comes with it, whatever place, whatever opponent, whatever time, let's go roll. Let's go do it.”

The Hurricanes have yet to play on a Saturday, and head coach Mario Cristobal had some thoughts pic.twitter.com/0ryrzAKKSI

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 22, 2026

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Despite the odd scheduling, Miami has outscored its three opponents 155-33. Additionally, the Hurricanes will likely have several Saturday games to fine-tune things before finally facing a ranked team.

After this week's home matchup vs. Central Michigan, Miami visits Clemson and has a bye before hosting rival Florida State and then Pittsburgh. Miami travels to Chapel Hill to play North Carolina on Halloween and then, on Nov. 7, the ‘Canes are set to play at Notre Dame in what very well may be Miami's only game vs. a ranked opponent until the postseason.

Miami vs. Central Michigan will kick off this Saturday at 6:30 p.m. ET.