Key Highlights
- Miami should make the College Football Playoff as an at-large team if BYU loses to Texas Tech.
- The selection committee’s decision will be influenced by game control and strength of schedule metrics.
- Texas Tech’s victory over BYU could boost Miami’s standing, potentially placing them ahead of Notre Dame for a spot in the CFP.
- Common opponents like NC State, Syracuse, Stanford, and Pittsburgh played significant roles in Miami’s case against Notre Dame.
The Case for Miami’s College Football Playoff Bid
As college football fans eagerly await the conclusion of the 2025 season, one question looms large: Why should Miami make the College Football Playoff (CFP)? The answer lies in a combination of factors, including recent wins, common opponents, and head-to-head results. With Notre Dame winning their game earlier this week, the spotlight has shifted to whether Miami can leverage their remaining opportunities to secure a spot.
Strength of Schedule and Common Opponents
Miami’s journey to the CFP has been marked by resilience and determination, especially during their final four-game winning streak. They have convincingly beaten several teams that will be headed to bowl games, including NC State (41-7), Syracuse (38-10), Stanford (42-7), and Pittsburgh (38-7). The Hurricanes’ ability to dominate these teams has been crucial in their bid.
Notre Dame shares some common opponents with Miami, making the head-to-head results a pivotal factor.
According to the committee’s metrics, Miami has outperformed Notre Dame in terms of overall net efficiency and margin of victory. In the regular season, Miami held a 21-7 lead over Notre Dame in the second half of their first meeting.
Committee Chair’s Statement on Idle Teams
Hunter Yurachek, the committee chair, has opened up the possibility that idle teams like Miami can move based on results from championship games. This season, we’ve seen the Longhorns leapfrog Vanderbilt after Texas defeated Texas A&M in a head-to-head result.
While both Miami and Notre Dame will not play this weekend, any loss for BYU could create an opening for Miami to jump ahead. Yurachek emphasized that idle teams can indeed move during the final deliberations, which could tilt the balance of power in favor of Miami.
The Final Push
With only one week remaining before the final CFP rankings are revealed, the pressure is on for both Miami and Notre Dame. A win for Texas Tech over BYU would remove some of the pressure from Miami’s case. However, if BYU secures a victory, it could tighten the race even further.
The committee will closely examine metrics such as game control, strength of schedule, and overall efficiency in making their final decisions. The outcome of this critical weekend could determine whether the Hurricanes make history by becoming the first ACC at-large team to secure a spot in the CFP.