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Miami’s College Football Playoff Fate Hangs in the Balance
As the Miami Hurricanes await their destiny, the next week is bound to be filled with uncertainty. The team, which concluded its regular season with 10 wins, is now pondering whether their performance will earn them a shot at the College Football Playoff, following a nail-biting loss to Syracuse where they fell 42-38.
The official announcement regarding the 12-team playoff field will take place next Sunday, marking a significant moment for the Hurricanes. “If they knew what was up, they’d put us in the playoff,” Miami quarterback Cam Ward expressed confidently regarding his team’s potential. “We are that team.” A week from now, Ward will discover if the College Football Playoff selection committee shares his belief.
Ward stands as Miami’s most compelling argument for a playoff invitation. The quarterback’s outstanding season has made him a Heisman Trophy candidate and the focal point of an offensive unit that has excelled nationwide, leading in points and yards per game, as well as third-down conversion rate. The Hurricanes managed to score 38 points in 10 out of their 12 games this season, surpassing any other FBS team.
Miami’s two losses came in closely contested matchups; they fell 28-23 against Georgia Tech, who ended the season at 7-5, and again to Syracuse, who posted a strong 9-3 record and featured the nation’s leading passer. Kyle McCord distinguished himself with 4,326 yards, narrowly outperforming Ward.
When pitching their case against other teams with two losses, Miami could highlight their perfect home record and the narrow margins of their defeats, suggesting these factors set them apart from other two- and three-loss contenders. However, critics could counter by noting the team’s defensive vulnerabilities, as they conceded 38 points in three road games. They might also point to the need for late-game comebacks to secure wins over teams like Virginia Tech and California, and argue that Miami faced no ranked opponents when they played.
However, Miami’s playoff aspirations could be jeopardized if Clemson secures a victory against SMU in the upcoming ACC championship. Should that happen, it is likely that SMU would be ranked higher than Miami. Conversely, if SMU triumphs, the Hurricanes might have an increased chance of making the cut, as a four-loss Clemson would not likely surpass them.
If the Hurricanes do make it into the playoffs, they will be scheduled to play a first-round matchup on December 20 or 21, likely on the road against a team seeded between No. 5 and No. 8. The top four seeds will receive first-round byes.
In the event that they miss out on the playoff, the Hurricanes will shift their focus to a bowl game, a scenario that may lead several players to consider opting out to prepare for the NFL draft.
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