Miami's Playoff Fate: Will They Make the Cut?
As we eagerly await the College Football Playoff (CFP) bracket announcement, the fate of Miami football hangs in the balance. Will the Hurricanes secure their spot, or will they be left out in the cold for the second consecutive year? Let's dive into the scenarios and predictions.
The past few weeks have been a rollercoaster for Miami fans. Despite the impressive performances of Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor, and the dynamic playmaking skills of freshman Malachi Toney, Miami has been on the outside looking in since the initial CFP rankings. Two crucial losses, one on a Friday night against Louisville and another at SMU, dug the Hurricanes into a deep hole.
Miami finished with a 10-2 record, the same as Notre Dame, whom they defeated in Week 1. However, Notre Dame's impressive 10-game winning streak kept them comfortably in the top-10. The ACC's complex tiebreaker scenarios didn't help Miami's cause, as they didn't even get a chance to compete for an automatic berth in the ACC championship.
Miami's Odds and Predictions
Miami's chances of making the CFP have improved, with BetMGM's latest odds as of December 5th: Make CFP: +400, Miss CFP: -525. The chips fell in Miami's favor on Saturday, and now all eyes are on the selection committee.
Chairman Hunter Yurachek hinted at a possibility for a team that didn't play on Championship Saturday to make the playoff. We believe the Hurricanes will receive the last at-large bid, earning the No. 10 seed and a first-round matchup against No. 7 Texas A&M.
Why Miami Deserves a Spot
Miami's head-to-head victory over Notre Dame is a strong argument in their favor. Out of their four common opponents, UM defeated three by a larger margin than Notre Dame. While Notre Dame's win over Syracuse gives them an edge in point differential, Miami's overall performance against bubble teams like Oklahoma, Alabama, and BYU is impressive. Miami's easy win against Florida State, who defeated Bama, and their dominant performance against Stanford further strengthen their case.
The Case Against Miami
The selection committee seems to undervalue Miami's win over Notre Dame, focusing more on their losses to 8-4 Louisville and SMU. These losses, especially when compared to other bubble teams' defeats to CFP-bound or bubble teams, could be a significant factor. Miami's ranking in ESPN's strength of record and strength of schedule metrics also puts them behind some key competitors. Ultimately, Miami's fate may hinge on whether the selection committee considers the ACC's tiebreaker mess a mitigating factor.
CFP Announcement and Viewing Details
The final CFP rankings will be unveiled on Sunday, December 7th. Fans can tune in to the College Football Playoff selection show on ESPN or stream it on Fubo, which offers a free trial for new subscribers. The CFP rankings selection show is scheduled to start at noon ET on December 7th.
Will Miami make the cut? The answer will be revealed soon, but for now, the anticipation builds. What do you think, football fans? Should Miami be in the CFP? Let's discuss in the comments!
