Why national writer is upset Miami football left out of CFP rankings
David Hale of ESPN ranked the Miami football team fourth in his “CFP rankings Anger Index: Who should be most upset with their placement?” Miami is 6-2 and a late game collapse versus Georgia Tech from being 7-1. If Miami put the game away versus Georgia Tech they would almost definitely be in the college football rankings.
The Miami football team won all four of its non-conference games. That included a 48-33 win over 5-3 Texas A&M. Miami began ACC play with consecutive losses to Georgia Tech and North Carolina. Overtime wins over Clemson and Virginia in the last two games have improved Miami’s record to 6-2 overall and 2-2 in the ACC.
Florida State is fourth and Louisville 13th in the first 2023 College Football Playoff rankings that were released on Tuesday night. After playing at North Carolina State on Saturday, Miami plays at Florida State on November 11 and hosts Louisville on November 18. Miami finishes the 2023 season at Boston College on November 24.
The decision by Cristobal and offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson to call a running play with less than a minute left versus Georgia Tech began a series of plays that led to a loss versus the Yellow Jackets. If Miami had lined up in victory formation versus Georgia Tech they would be 7-1. Hale explains.
"4. Miami Hurricanes (6-2, unranked) and North Carolina Tar Heels (6-2, unranked)“Here’s a list of the unranked two-loss Power 5 teams: Rutgers, Iowa, North Carolina and Miami. We can even understand UNC’s snub, despite its head-to-head win over Miami…But Miami? With wins over Texas A&M and Clemson? Well, there should be some genuine outrage here.Oh, not at the committee. We get its decision. We’re just still fuming over Mario Cristobal’s refusal to kneel against Georgia Tech. If he had, Miami would be 7-1 and likely in the top 15.”"
Cristobal took full responsibility for the loss to Georgia Tech. Miami is fortunate to be 6-2 after the overtime wins over Clemson and Virginia. The schedule gets much tougher in November. After three home games in October, Miami has three on the road in November. That begins at North Carolina State on Saturday.
Next. MIami VaTech rivalry restored and new ACC scheduling model. dark
North Carolina State is 3-2 at home this season. The Wolfpack lost to Notre Dame and Louisville and defeated VMI, Virginia and Marshall. A win over North Carolina State should elevate Miami into the rankings depending on the outcomes of other games. There are five top-25 matchups this weekend.