Miami football top 10 teams next to make College Football Playoff

The Miami football program is ranked sixth by 247 Sports among teams that have not made the College Football Playoffs who are most likely to make their inaugural appearance. The article analyzed “Who’s next? Examining the winningest programs without a CFP appearance.” Miami in 22nd in wins since 2014.

The CFP began in 2014 and the Miami football team has 61 wins in that span. Miami is 61-40 since 2014. The Hurricanes had their only losing seasons in that span with 6-7 records in 2014 and 2019. Miami garned most of their success in the CFP era with a 9-4 record in 2016, 10-3 in 2017 and 8-3 in 2020.

The future looks bright for the Miami football program after hiring Mario Crisobal in December. Miami is expected to improve significantly in recruiting and development with Cristobal as head coach. Miami signed the 15th best class in 2022 which matches their average ranking from 2017 though 2021.

Cristobal salvaged an elite recruiting class that was ranked in the 70’s when he was hired in December. With a full recruiting cycle, Cristobal is expected to sign a top 10 class. The 247 Sports rankings are based on which program is in the best position to make the College Football Playoff before expansion in 2026.

"6. MIAMIThe momentum is building in Miami. Mario Cristobal has filled up the program with jet fuel since his arrival in December. The Miami native built an incredible staff with the help of deep pockets in the booster circuit, and with NIL deals piling up it seems like the Hurricanes are destined to sign top-10 recruiting classes over the next several years.Manny Diaz may have been fired but he didn’t leave behind a subpar roster, particularly with the emergence of quarterback Tyler Van Dyke. Cristobal can challenge for a nine-win season in year one with some breaks, and with a pair of solid recruiting classes (and hauls from the transfer portal), the Hurricanes could be back sooner rather than later.Miami has plenty of time to crash the playoff party before the field expands (presumably) in 2026."

The top nine programs with a chance to make the College Football Playoff in the next four seasons were ranked by 247 Sports. Appalachian State who is ninth on the list, eight rated Penn State and number seven Florida are the three programs behind Miami. Oklahoma State, Iowa, Utah, Wisconsin and Texas A&M are one through five.

Appalachian State leads all programs since 2014 who have not earned a CFP berth with 81 wins. The Mountaineers seem like a long shot to make the CFP. As 247 stated everything needs to go right for a Group of Five team in a season to earth a berth. Miami finished 7-5 in 2021 and defeated Appalachian State.

Texas A&M has come the closest of the other programs ranked by 247 to making the CFP. The Aggies finished fourth in the final CFP rankings. Miami has reached as high as second in the 2017 penultimate regular season poll. The Hurricanes should become more consistent in the CFP rankings with Cristobal as head coach.