"Whom they're rooting for: Trump hasn't declared a favorite, aides say, but he has praised Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza, this year's Heisman Trophy winner. Rubio, a Miami native and friend of Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal, is "100 percent" for UM. Between the ethnic lines: Rubio's rooting for the Hurricanes might be a bit of an outlier in Miami because he went to the University of Florida."
"Cuban-American solidarity may trump school loyalty: Many Miami-based Cuban Americans-including longtime Rubio allies-are rooting for Indiana's Mendoza, a fellow Cuban American. Miami's other famous Cuban American, Pitbull, is performing at halftime. After UM beat Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl, he posted "DAMN. I LOVE MIAMI" on X. Another reason Rubio likes the Hurricanes: His son, Anthony Rubio, grew up playing football with some of the Miami players. Anthony Rubio, though, went to UF and walked on for the Gators."
"The intrigue: Mendoza grew up about a mile from UM, wanted to go to Miami but was mystifyingly not offered a scholarship by Cristobal. Mendoza's dad played on the same football team as Cristobal at Columbus High School in Miami, which Mendoza also attended. Mendoza's mom played tennis for UM. Now Mendoza has a Heisman, and his team is favored to win over the school that snubbed him in his home town."
Fernando Mendoza, a Cuban-American quarterback and this year's Heisman Trophy winner, plays for Indiana and grew up about a mile from the University of Miami. Mendoza wanted to attend Miami but did not receive a scholarship from Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal despite local ties: his father played on Cristobal's high school football team and his mother played tennis for Miami. Political figures show divided allegiances: Donald Trump praised Mendoza while Marco Rubio, a Miami native and friend of Cristobal, supports the Hurricanes. Many Miami-based Cuban Americans are backing Mendoza. Pitbull will perform at halftime. Indiana is favored against Miami.
Read at Axios
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