Miami's undefeated season ended against No. 11 Notre Dame, but that shouldn't erase everything the Hurricanes accomplished during their 8-0 start. With the College Football Playoff selection committee preparing to release its second rankings Tuesday night, Miami has a legitimate argument to remain ahead of three teams that are already in the top 10.
1. Indiana (8-1): Miami has a better signature win and a better loss
Indiana entered the initial CFP rankings at No. 4, one spot outside the top three despite suffering its only defeat against Ohio State on Oct. 17. Since the loss, the Hoosiers have had consecutive overtime victories against Michigan and Minnesota, improving to 8-1.
The Hoosiers' best wins include a 20-17 road victory against Nebraska, which has fallen to 5-4, and a 29-23 victory against Northwestern, which is 6-3. Indiana has also struggled offensively in recent weeks. After scoring at least 29 points in each of its first five games, the Hoosiers have averaged just 17.8 points over their past four games. Their victories over Michigan and Minnesota required overtime, and they scored only 22 points in regulation against those two combined.
Indiana is still second in the Big Ten in scoring defense at 12.4 points allowed per game and ranks among the national leaders against the run. But Miami's victory over Wake Forest carries more weight than anything Indiana has accomplished against its schedule. The Demon Deacons are 8-1, have won six consecutive games and were ranked No. 16 in the initial CFP rankings.
Miami's lone defeat also came against a better opponent. Notre Dame improved to 8-1 with its victory over the Hurricanes, while Ohio State has dropped to 6-3 after losing Julian Sayin for the year.
Indiana's 2026 schedule:
- Sept. 5: W vs. North Texas, 52-16
- Sept. 12: W vs. Howard, 55-0
- Sept. 19: W vs. Western Kentucky, 38-0
- Sept. 25: W vs. Northwestern, 29-23
- Oct. 3: W at Rutgers, 47-15
- Oct. 10: W at Nebraska, 20-17
- Oct. 17: L vs. Ohio State, 19-15
- Oct. 24: W at Michigan, 13-6 (OT)
- Oct. 31: W vs. Minnesota, 23-16 (OT)
- Nov. 14: vs. USC
- Nov. 21: at Washington
- Nov. 28: vs. Purdue
2. Alabama (7-2): Two losses matter here
There is no question that Alabama has faced a significantly more difficult schedule than Miami. And their resume became even more impressive Saturday with a 31-13 victory at No. 14 LSU.
The Crimson Tide entered last week ranked No. 5 despite already suffering defeats against Georgia and Tennessee. Their victories over No. 6 Kentucky and No. 21 South Carolina gave the committee enough confidence to place them ahead of several teams with better records.
But the manner of Alabama's loss against Tennessee deserves attention. The Crimson Tide scored just 10 points in Knoxville and lost by 16, marking their lowest offensive output of the season.
Miami, meanwhile, lost by seven points on the road against Notre Dame despite playing without Malachi Toney. Alabama has demonstrated a higher level of consistency against ranked opponents, but they have also been beaten twice. The committee should not treat Miami's close road loss to Notre Dame as more damaging than Alabama's defeats against Georgia and Tennessee combined.
Alabama's 2026 schedule:
- Sept. 5: W vs. East Carolina, 48-10
- Sept. 12: W at Kentucky, 45-17
- Sept. 19: W vs. Florida State, 50-36
- Sept. 26: W vs. South Carolina, 49-18
- Oct. 3: W at Mississippi State, 56-23
- Oct. 10: L vs. Georgia, 20-17
- Oct. 17: L at Tennessee, 26-10
- Oct. 24: W vs. Texas A&M, 31-20
- Nov. 7: W at LSU, 31-13
- Nov. 14: at Vanderbilt
- Nov. 21: vs. Chattanooga
- Nov. 28: vs. Auburn
3. Texas (7-2): Four ranked wins is compelling but not enough
Texas presents the strongest argument against Miami of the three teams because the Longhorns have accumulated four victories against opponents ranked in the initial CFP Top 25.
The Longhorns entered last week ranked No. 7 and improved to 7-2 with a 34-20 road victory over No. 18 Missouri. That game added another impressive win to a resume that already included victories over No. 12 Ohio State, No. 13 Tennessee and No. 10 Ole Miss.
Unlike Indiana, Texas has repeatedly proven it can defeat ranked opponents. Unlike Alabama, the Longhorns also have victories over Tennessee and Ohio State, two teams responsible for losses suffered by other playoff contenders.
But the Longhorns also suffered consecutive losses against Oklahoma and Florida, falling 27-24 in both games. Oklahoma and Florida are both 5-4.
Texas deserves credit for beating quality opponents, and another victory at LSU on Saturday would make their argument even stronger. But through nine games, Miami has suffered only one defeat, and that came by seven points against one of the nation's best teams. Texas has lost twice against opponents that have four losses apiece.
Texas' 2026 schedule:
- Sept. 5: W vs. Texas State, 59-7
- Sept. 12: W vs. Ohio State, 24-23
- Sept. 19: W vs. UTSA, 30-6
- Sept. 26: W at Tennessee, 20-17
- Oct. 10: L vs. Oklahoma, 27-24 (neutral site)
- Oct. 17: L vs. Florida, 27-24
- Oct. 24: W vs. Ole Miss, 34-27
- Oct. 31: W vs. Mississippi State, 31-3
- Nov. 7: W at Missouri, 34-20
- Nov. 14: at LSU
- Nov. 21: vs. Arkansas
- Nov. 27: at Texas A&M
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