The Miami Hurricanes have made just about every sensible argument to justify their place in the 12-team College Football Playoff field ahead of the final rankings on December 7. But Miami remains stuck at No. 12, still two spots behind Notre Dame.
What’s most concerning now is that Miami can do nothing but wait. The Hurricanes need conference championship weekend to break perfectly in their favor, beginning with No. 11 BYU losing to No. 4 Texas Tech in the Big 12 Championship Game. A loss by No. 9 Alabama to No. 2 Georgia in the SEC Championship might not even be enough to knock the Crimson Tide from the playoff picture. In fact, it may make matters worse for Miami.
But the worst-case scenario for the ACC may be even bigger than Miami alone. If unranked Duke upsets No. 17 Virginia in the ACC Championship, it is entirely possible the committee leaves the entire conference out of the playoff. Duke could win the league title and still be passed over in favor of two Group of Five teams — a move that would cause an uproar.
Why Duke Got the Nod Over Miami in the ACC Championship
Virginia, at 10-2 and 7-1 in conference play, is enjoying its best season since 1989, making the Cavaliers a logical representative in this year’s ACC title game. Duke, however, is a completely different story.
The Blue Devils remain unranked at 7-5, but their 6-2 mark in ACC play tied them with Miami for second in the conference standings. However, Duke won the tiebreaker based on conference opponent win percentage, edging out the Hurricanes despite Miami being the ACC’s highest-ranked team.
It’s a decision Hurricanes athletic director Dan Radakovich openly disagrees with.
“We’ve got to get a little better at that,” Radakovich said. “And I can’t tell you what the answer is right now, but I think we’ve got to look at some different things that might be able to streamline that and make sure that the league is going to put its best foot forward.
“It’s too complicated, and we need to look at other options that might make it more simple, but yet take into account the idea of multiple teams being tied. The old system probably didn’t contemplate four or five teams being tied for a second-place spot.”
Florida State Didn’t Do Miami Any Favors in the ACC
After Florida State upset Alabama in Week 1 to start 3-0, many thought the Seminoles were headed for a breakout season. Instead, they collapsed, losing four straight on their way to a 5-7 finish and a disastrous 2-6 record in ACC play.
And that, ironically, is where Florida State hurt Miami the most, as ESPN’s David Hale explained.
“Had Florida State finished 6-2 instead of 2-6 in ACC play, Miami would’ve won the (fifth) tiebreaker for a spot in the ACC title game and could’ve locked up its place in the playoff by simply beating Virginia,” Hale wrote. “Instead, the Canes will sit at home and watch and hope and, at this point, probably get left out. Chess, not checkers, by rival FSU.”
Miami went into Doak Campbell Stadium and controlled Florida State physically for three quarters. Despite the 28-22 final score, the game never felt close. But in the end, the Seminoles may have had the last laugh — keeping their rival from a possible ACC title and a guaranteed playoff berth.
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