Miami football 10th, exactly where they were in 1st 2017 CFP rankings

The Miami football program matched the 2017 Hurricanes being ranked 10th in the initial 2020 College Football Playoff rankings.

In the release of the initial 2020 College Football Playoff rankings, the Miami Football program is ranked 10th. The ranking matches where the 2017 ACC Coastal Division Champion Hurricanes were ranked in the initial CFP Rankings. Miami began the 2017 season 7-0 to earn their 10th ranking that was released October 31.

Much like this season, Miami had not yet earned a marquee victory when the initial CFP rankings were released in 2017. The Hurricanes earned back-to-back marquee home victories over number 13 Virginia Tech after the initial rankings were released and Notre Dame who was third in the second CFP rankings released in 2017.

Miami does not have a win over any of the teams in the top 25 of the 2020 CFP rankings. Louisville was 18th in the AP Top 25 when the Hurricanes defeated the Cardinals 47-35 on the road this season. Road victories over North Carolina State and Virginia Tech were tough but were against unranked teams.

In their lone game against a Top 25 team in the CFP Rankings this season, Miami was blown out in a 42-17 loss at Clemson. The Hurricanes will host number 19 North Carolina on December 12 in a chance to move up in the rankings. Miami plays at Wake Forest before hosting the Tar Heels in a game against a high powered offense.

Wake Forest is 18th nationally in scoring averaging 39.3 points per game. North Carolina is 10th averaging 43.1 PPG. Clemson is fifth averaging 45.3 PPG, so Miami held the Tigers 3.3 PPG below their average. If Miami does not qualify for the ACC Championship Game the Hurricanes will play Georgia Tech on December 19.

In 2017 Miami reached a high of second in the CFP rankings after throttling Notre Dame 41-8. The victory over the Fighting Irish came a week after Miami crushed Virginia Tech 28-10. The victories over Notre Dame and Virginia Tech both came on the ABC Primetime Game of the Week. Miami lasted one week ranked second.

A shocking 24-14 loss at 4-7 Pittsburgh ended the season and any hopes for Miami to make the CFP without defeating Clemson in the ACC Championship Game. The Hurricanes were crushed 38-3 by the Tigers to end any hopes of a CFP berth with a 10-2 record. Miami finished the season with a loss to Wisconsin in the Orange Bowl.

The 10th ranking is more than fair for the Miami football team. Miami is ninth in the simple rating system and has the 12th toughest strength of schedule according to sports reference. The Hurricanes are currently 24th in the ESPN Football Power Index that uses different factors than sports reference.