Miami football staying 10th in CFP rankings better than metrics

Aug 24, 2019; Orlando, FL, USA; Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 24, 2019; Orlando, FL, USA; Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Miami football staying 10th in the second College Football Playoff rankings is better than two of the three major metric rankings.

The Miami football program staying 10th in the College Football Playoff rankings without playing the last two weeks and being ranked far lower in two of the three major metric analytics was a sign of respect from the committee. Miami stayed 10th after Northwestern dropped six spots from eighth Iowa State moved up to ninth.

The Cyclones moved up from 13th this week. Miami is 10th in the Sports Reference Simple Rating System, 17th in the ESPN SP+ rankings and 22nd in the ESPN Football Power Index. Miami making the College Football Playoff is an extreme longshot the Hurricanes have to focus on winning out.

If Miami wins its last three games they consensus bowl projections have Miami playing in the ACC Championship Game. Originally scheduled to play 10 conference games, the ACC ruled on Tuesday that Clemson, Miami and Notre Dame would only play nine to qualify to play in Charlotte. Notre Dame has thus clinched a berth.

Clemson needs to win against Virginia Tech on Saturday to clinch their berth in the ACC Championship Game opposite the Fighting Irish. The Clemson game against Wake Forest on December 12 was canceled and the Tigers will not have to make up their contentious game against Florida State that was not played.

Miami will play its first game in three weeks on Saturday at Duke. The Hurricanes need a Clemson loss to Virginia Tech and to defeat the Blue Devils on Saturday and North Carolina on December 12 to earn a spot in the ACC Championship Game. If that does not happen Miami will host Georgia Tech on December 19.

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Miami will need a victory over North Carolina to move up in the College Football Playoff rankings. The Tar Heels moved up two spots to 17th after losing 31-17 on Friday to Notre Dame who is second in the CFP rankings. Clemson is third. Miami lost to Clemson in their only game against a CFP ranked team this season.