The Miami Hurricanes’ Hopes for the Playoffs Diminish
The Miami Hurricanes’ aspirations for the College Football Playoff (CFP) may have taken a significant hit following their latest ranking announcement. On Tuesday, the selection committee revealed its penultimate bracket, and Miami found itself outside the coveted playoff spots, much to the disappointment of their fans and conference officials.
A Disheartening Loss to Syracuse
The Hurricanes’ recent upset loss to the Syracuse Orange played a crucial role in their ranking. After establishing a commanding 21-0 lead, Miami ultimately fell short, succumbing to a 42-38 defeat. This loss marked Miami’s second defeat in only three games, with their previous loss coming against Georgia Tech. Such setbacks have severely impacted their playoff positioning.
Alabama’s Surprising Placement
In a surprising turn, the selection committee placed the three-loss Alabama Crimson Tide in the 11th spot, just ahead of Miami, which was ranked 12th. Alabama’s record this season includes losses to Vanderbilt, Tennessee, and Oklahoma, raising questions about their higher ranking compared to a Miami team that has shown more resilience.
ACC’s Dismay Over Miami’s Ranking
The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) may find itself with only one representative in the playoffs when the dust settles. While SMU was ranked No. 3 in the latest bracket, their position may be jeopardized if they lose the upcoming conference title game against Clemson. ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips expressed his disappointment at Miami’s dramatic drop from No. 6 to No. 12.
Phillips stated, “Miami has more wins and fewer losses than the team directly ahead of them, along with a dominant victory over an SEC team that has been performing well recently. With two narrow losses by a combined nine points—to a ranked Syracuse team and a Georgia Tech team that pushed No. 5 Georgia to eight overtimes—Miami absolutely deserves better from the Committee.”
Looking Ahead: The Final Rankings
As the conference championship weekend approaches, Phillips urged the selection committee to reconsider Miami’s position in light of their accomplishments. He emphasized the need for a deserving Miami to earn a spot in the playoffs, while also looking forward to the Clemson and SMU matchup, which could impact the ACC’s representation in the CFP.
Insights from the Selection Committee Chair
Warde Manuel, the chair of the CFP selection committee, provided insights into why Alabama edged out Miami for the higher ranking. During an interview with ESPN, he noted, “Our evaluation of both teams led us to believe that Alabama’s performance against current top 25 teams was a deciding factor. Alabama has a 3-1 record against those teams, while Miami is 0-1. Furthermore, Alabama holds a 6-1 record against teams with winning records, compared to Miami’s 4-2.”
Despite the current rankings, Manuel acknowledged that the final standings could still shift depending on the outcomes of the upcoming conference championships, leaving room for hope among Miami supporters.
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