Down years for some of Miami Hurricanes opponents could hurt in CFP race
Miami Hurricanes wins over Florida State, Virginia Tech, and Notre Dame in most years look impressive. As recently as ten days ago, the latter two appeared in the top 13 in the country.
At the beginning of the season, Florida State was third, Virginia Tech 21/22 and Notre Dame was among others receiving votes. A win over Florida State on the road would have been thought to be a quality win that would have looked good to the committee. With the Seminoles 4-6, now its a game the Miami Hurricanes were expected to win.
Despite the delusion of much of the Seminoles fan base, they are not a good football team this year. It would help the Miami Hurricanes a lot if the Seminoles at least win their last two games to become bowl eligible.
Virginia Tech was 7-1 with their only loss coming to Clemson when they traveled to Hard Rock Stadium on November 4. Since then the Hokies lost at Georgia Tech before surviving at home against Pittsburgh on Saturday.
Virginia Tech dropped from 17th to out of the rankings completely after the loss to Georgia Tech. A six-point win over Pittsburgh is going to be tough to get them back in the rankings.
Miami’s beating of Notre Dame gave the Fighting Irish their second loss of the season. Their first one was to Georgia. The Bulldogs were whacked 40-17 by Auburn on the same day that Miami crushed the Irish 41-8, November 11.
Georgia’s fall from the top spot will hurt Notre Dame, which in turn hurts Miami’s resume. Georgia is currently seven and Notre Dame eighth in the College Football Playoff rankings.
Florida State is in a different category altogether. The Seminoles are much better than their record according to ESPN’s Football Power Index. They are currently the highest team with a losing record in the FPI. FSU amazingly sits at 23 two spots ahead of Iowa State who is 7-4. The Cyclones have home wins over Oklahoma and TCU.
Notre Dame’s two-loss resume is impressive and that should help the Hurricanes. They are the only team in the country that is in the top ten in Strength of Record, Strength of Schedule and Game Control. They rank seventh in SOS and GC and eighth in SOS.
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Miami is 32nd, first and 12th in Strength of Record, Strength of Schedule and Game Control.
The Fighting Irish are tenth in the FPI and 19.8, while Miami is 12th at 17.2. Notre Dame has Stanford on Saturday in their last game of the regular season.
Miami’s extra game in the ACC Championship game should help. Clemson is 11th in the SOS and fourth in the SOR and GC. They are third in the FPI.
Four of Miami’s other opponents are ranked below 50 in the FPI. That includes Virginia, who is apparently not as good as their record and North Carolina who is having a down year just two years removed from winning the ACC Coastal.
The committee has a tough job balancing the conference schedule that is pre-determined with the out of conference schedule that the schools create.
Miami was fortunate to have Notre Dame with their high ranking on the schedule this season. The fact the Hurricanes then blew out the Irish will look good in the committee’s eyes.
The Hurricanes have their season in front of them. If they go out and earn this the old fashioned way none of this will matter. Defeat Pittsburgh and Clemson and the Miami Hurricanes are in the playoff.
Next: Miami Hurricanes need to eliminate slow starts
The metrics are likely to still be important for seeding. Going out and winning impressively will also help. With the number of games dwindling, more eyes will be on Miami. That will especially be true with the ACC Championship game being on ABC Primetime in Charlotte.