Miami Hurricanes Tumble to No. 12 in CFP Rankings, ACC Calls Out Committee
The College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings are always a hot topic, but this week’s release has set the college football world ablaze. On Tuesday night, the latest rankings dropped, and the Miami Hurricanes were the biggest losers, falling six spots to No. 12. The timing couldn’t be worse, as this was the final rankings update before Sunday’s all-important selection show. The ACC isn’t taking the news lightly, and they’ve made their frustrations known.
Let’s break it down. The Hurricanes, who were once riding high with a 9-0 start to the season, now find themselves on the outside looking in for the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff. Meanwhile, Alabama, a team with three losses under first-year head coach Kalen DeBoer, has snuck into the No. 11 spot. This means that unless something wild happens in Saturday’s ACC Championship Game between Clemson and SMU, Alabama is likely heading to the CFP for the ninth time in 11 seasons. Miami, on the other hand, will be left wondering what could have been.
ACC Commissioner Fires Back
The ACC isn’t staying quiet about this perceived snub. Shortly after the rankings were revealed on ESPN’s broadcast, ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips released a fiery statement. “We are incredibly shocked and disappointed that Miami fell six spots to No. 12,” Phillips said. “Coach Mario Cristobal’s team absolutely deserves better from the committee.”
Phillips didn’t stop there. He urged the committee to reconsider Miami’s placement ahead of Sunday’s final rankings. “As we look ahead to the final rankings, we hope the committee will reconsider and put a deserving Miami in the field,” he added.
What Went Wrong for Miami?
Miami’s tumble in the rankings can be traced back to their recent struggles. The Hurricanes suffered their second loss of the season on Saturday, a 42-38 heartbreaker at Syracuse. It was their second loss in three games, both of which came in conference play. That late-season slide cost Miami a spot in the ACC title game, a critical blow for a team that started the season with so much promise.
Head coach Mario Cristobal made his case earlier on Tuesday during an interview with WQAM, Miami’s flagship radio station. “We won 10 games this year, and not many teams have,” Cristobal said. “And in our losses, those losses came down to one possession. That’s a very different resume than the 9-3 teams.”
Miami’s Case for the CFP
Despite their recent struggles, Miami has plenty of reasons to feel they belong in the playoff conversation. Here’s what they bring to the table:
- They opened the season with a dominant win at Florida.
- They lead the nation in both yards and points per game.
- Quarterback Cam Ward, a Heisman Trophy hopeful, led the nation with 36 touchdown passes.
- They went unbeaten at home.
- Their two losses, to Georgia Tech and Syracuse, were by a combined nine points.
Cristobal summed it up best: “The awards should go to the teams that are actually winning the games, not the ones that are politicking themselves out of losses.”
The Case Against Miami
Of course, there are arguments against Miami as well. Critics point out that the Hurricanes didn’t face any teams that were ranked at the time of their matchups. Additionally, their defense has been a liability, allowing at least 31 points in five of their final eight games. That’s not exactly the kind of performance that screams “playoff contender.”
Still, Miami’s overall stats paint a different picture. They are one of just seven teams nationally ranked in the top 25 in both yards per game and yards allowed per game. The other teams in that elite group? Indiana, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee, and Texas. That’s some pretty good company.
What’s Next?
As the dust settles, all eyes will be on Saturday’s conference championship games and Sunday’s final CFP rankings. Miami’s fate is now out of their hands, and they’ll need a miracle to sneak back into the top 12. Meanwhile, Alabama seems poised to continue their playoff dominance, much to the chagrin of Miami fans and the ACC.
“Go to the facts,” Cristobal said. “Award football teams for winning football games.” Whether the committee will heed that advice remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Hurricanes’ playoff hopes are hanging by a thread.
Originally Written by: Associated Press
