Key Highlights
- Miami should make the College Football Playoff as an ACC at-large team if Texas Tech beats BYU in their championship game.
- The committee favors BYU over Miami due to a better strength of schedule and more wins against top teams.
- Hunter Yurachek, committee chair, left the door open for Miami’s case to be reconsidered after a loss by BYU.
- Miami’s victory against Notre Dame early in the season could still factor into their playoff chances despite a current lower ranking.
Why Miami Should Be in the College Football Playoff
The debate over whether the Miami Hurricanes should be included in the College Football Playoff has intensified as the postseason approaches. Despite currently being ranked fourth, Miami faces an uphill battle to make it into the final four. However, there is still a chance that the committee might reconsider its decision if Texas Tech defeats No. 11 BYU in their Big 12 Championship Game on Saturday.
The outcome of this game will play a crucial role in determining the playoff landscape. If BYU loses to Texas Tech, Miami’s case could strengthen significantly, as they would be ranked higher than Notre Dame (10-2) and potentially gain an advantage over other teams vying for at-large spots.
Current Standings and Metrics
The committee’s decision is heavily influenced by several key metrics. According to the latest rankings, Miami stands at 85.0 in overall efficiency, just behind Notre Dame (91.4) but ahead of BYU (84.8). However, strength of schedule has been a critical factor this season.
Strength of Record:
– Notre Dame: 13th
– BYU: 6th
– Miami: 14th
Game Control:
– Notre Dame: 5th
– BYU: 14th
– Miami: 6th
Strength of Schedule:
– Notre Dame: 42nd
– BYU: 35th
– Miami: 44th
The Case for Miami
Miami’s season has been marked by a strong finish, with victories in four consecutive games by an average margin of 27.5 points per game. This momentum could potentially tip the scales in their favor if they can maintain it through the remaining weeks.
What’s more, Miami has several convincing wins against common opponents shared with Notre Dame. They beat NC State (41-7), Syracuse (38-10), Stanford (42-7), and Pittsburgh (38-7) by a wide margin. This performance could help solidify their case if the committee places significant weight on game control metrics.
Committee Chair’s Statement
Hunter Yurachek, the chair of the College Football Playoff selection committee, has acknowledged that idle teams can move up or down following championship games. This means Miami could still be rewarded for their impressive performance against Notre Dame in the season opener.
In an interview, Yurachek stated, “The management committee during the offseason provided some clarification to those who were made last year, and indeed idle teams can move following the results of the championship games. And how they impact the teams that are around those that play in the championship game and data such as strength of schedule, teams that may be idle.
So yes, teams that are idle can move up or down.” This statement leaves open the possibility for Miami’s position to improve.
Whether Miami will make it into the College Football Playoff remains uncertain. However, with a potential boost from a loss by BYU and strong performance in their remaining games, they could still find themselves among the final four teams selected.
