Can a one loss Miami Hurricanes make the College Football Playoff?
Add in a win by Oklahoma in the Big XII Title game and the Playoff Committee would have some tough decisions to make. The likelihood is if these scenarios happen that two-loss teams Ohio State and Auburn would be in the mix for one of the four coveted spots as well along with a one-loss Georgia team.
What would Miami have going in its favor over the other teams? That depends on the metrics that the committee uses. It could also depend on who the one loss was to. The committee reportedly looks favorably on conference champions.
Miami currently ranks first in ESPN’s Strength of Record, is 12th in the mothership’s Football Power Index and game control and currently have the nation’s 32nd toughest schedule. The ACC Championship game against Clemson is likely to boost their SOS. That is the same for the other teams that will be competing in a conference championship game.
ESPN Strength of Record after Week 12:
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1. Miami
2. Alabama
3. Oklahoma
4. Clemson
5. UGA
6. Wisconsin
7. Auburn
8. ND
9. USC
10. TCU
11. UCF
12. Penn St
13. Mich St
14. Miss St
15. Ohio St
16. Wash St
17. Okla St
18. Memphis
19. Wash
20. LSU
Miami has flirted with losses at least five times this season. They were able to pull away from Virginia, but they had to come up with other big plays late in their four wins in October. Those four wins came by 18 points total against teams that are not currently bowl eligible.
How will the committee look at those games? Has Miami been impressive enough to the committee to earn one of the four spots if they suffer a loss?
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Those are questions that don’t have to be answered if Miami wins out. If they don’t we will have to wait and see. The committee’s determining factors are not always clear.