The Miami Hurricanes are feeling the heat after the latest College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings positioned them outside the coveted top spots. With emotions running high, quarterback Cam Ward is not holding back on his criticisms of the selection committee.
The Ranking Controversy
The central issue for the Hurricanes is their current ranking compared to Alabama, who stands at 11th place despite having three losses. Miami’s record of two losses, one of which included a dramatic collapse against Syracuse where they relinquished a 21-point lead, has left players and fans bewildered.
Ward expressed his discontent during an interview, emphasizing that Miami has faced stronger defenses compared to teams from the Southeastern Conference (SEC). He stated, “We’re playing better defenses, in my opinion, than the SEC. It’s just hard. I did what I could. The team, we controlled what we can control.”
A Call for Fairness
Despite their challenging season, Ward remains hopeful. “We controlled our own destiny for a lot of the season, and we didn’t end up getting the job done. We know it’s all in our hands, and it got taken away from us when we lost,” he said. The quarterback urged the committee to reconsider their criteria for rankings, questioning their thoroughness in reviewing game footage.
Doubts About the Committee’s Evaluation
Ward’s skepticism doesn’t end there. He openly doubted whether the committee members watched enough game tape before making their decisions. “At the end of the day, I really doubt they watch tape or not. I mean, we’re a 10-2 team. Not saying Alabama’s not a good team, which they are, but let’s talk about them points,” he remarked, stressing his belief that scoring differences should weigh heavily in the rankings.
Coach Mario Cristobal’s Perspective
Before the rankings were officially released, Miami head coach Mario Cristobal urged the committee to rely on factual data when making their evaluations. However, the committee’s decision did not align with Cristobal’s expectations.
Committee Chair’s Explanation
Warde Manuel, the chair of the selection committee, provided insight into their decision-making process. He stated, “What it came down to is as we evaluated both teams and looked at how they rank, obviously we think highly of both teams. But Alabama is 3-1 against current top 25 teams, and Miami is 0-1.” He further explained that Alabama’s record against teams with winning records also played a significant role in their higher ranking.
Conclusion
As Miami grapples with the implications of the latest rankings, both players and coaches are left to ponder what it will take to secure a place in the College Football Playoff. With the season coming to a close, the pressure is on for the Hurricanes to finish strong and prove their worth on the field.
