The 2017 Miami Football team set recent standards for the Hurricanes with a 10-3 record, an ACC Coastal Division title and the only appearance in the ACC Championship in program history. A working group announced this week that the College Football Playoff is examining an expansion to 12 teams.
The 2017 Miami football team began the season 10-0 and rose to as high as second in the College Football Playoff rankings. The Hurricanes struggled after that. Miami lost their final regular-season game 24-14 at Pittsburgh before being blown out 38-3 in the ACC Championship Game. Miami was 11th entering bowl season.
The Hurricanes finished 13th following a 34-24 loss to Wisconsin in the Orange Bowl. As the 10th ranked team in the final CFP standings following the conference title game, Miami would have played Auburn in the first round of the CFP. The winner would have played number two Oklahoma.
The Sooners lost 54-48 in double overtime to Georgia in the Rose Bowl. The third-seeded and SEC Champion Bulldogs lost to Alabama in the National Championship Game 26-23 in overtime in Atlanta. Alabama has played in two more National Championship Games since 2017 winning in January.
To reiterate what we already know: CFP will not change its format this year or next. And the expansion process will not conclude before fall 2021 because there are a lot details that still need to be worked out. Today's recommendation is a first step.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) June 10, 2021
Miami has a 21-14 record since the 2017 season. After a combined 13-13 record in 2018 and 2019, the Hurricanes were 8-3 in 2020. The return of 19 starters led by quarterback D’Eriq King projects another strong season for Miami in 2021. Signing the 11th ranked recruiting class in 2021 is another positive for the future.
When King leaves following the 2021 season, Tyler Van Dyke and Jake Garcia are expected to compete to be his successor. Jacurri Brown a 2022 commit will be a part of the Miami future at QB, but it figures to be difficult for him to be the starter as a true freshman. Another step forward is important in 2021.
The expansion of the College Football Playoff is expected to be as early as 2023. Five-star 2021 signees, defensive tackle Leonard Taylor and safety James Williams will be in their third and expected to be final seasons with Miami. By 2023 if the 2022 class brings in a strong group of players Miami should be ready to compete for the CPF.