CFP committee values Miami winning close games and dominantly

College Football Playoff Committee Chairman Warde Manuel spoke to Rece Davis of ESPN as the rankings were revealed entering the final weekend of the regular season. Manuel stated that Miami winning close games and dominantly has impressed the committee.

After winning their four non-conference games by an average of 42 points, Miami began ACC play with three wins by a total of 12 points. Miami has an average margin of 24 points in its last three wins with a 28-23 loss at Georgia Tech during that same time. The Hurricanes are showing the ability to win convincingly and in close games.

The 41-17 win over Florida to begin the season looks better after Florida upset LSU and Mississippi in the last two weeks. Seven of Miami's 10 2024 wins have been against teams with winning and records, and five of those have been against ACC opponents. Miami plays at 8-3 Syracuse on Saturday.

Miami could potentially be in a one-game defacto playoff at Syracuse on Saturday. If Miami beats Syracuse to earn a berth in the ACC Championship Game they are likely in the playoff no matter what the outcome is in Charlotte. A loss at Syracuse probably eliminates Miami from the CFP.

Manuel highlighted to Davis what they value about Miami this season.

"Well, I think we value both (game control and ability to comeback) when you win. Miami had the dominant win over Florida. Then they had a close win in a very good game against Louisville. They found a way to win close games until they played Georgia Tech at Georgia Tech.

But you look at what they did this past weekend with their win over Wake Forest, it reminded the committee of how they played against Florida. We value winning, but yeah, we do see when teams are playing close games and how they finish and whether they win them or lose them.

We do watch that. But we value ultimately when teams do find a way to win. But Miami has done both. They've dominated teams and they've had some very close games. Even the loss to Georgia Tech was a close game...We value teams that make the championship...But we've been asked by the commissioners to rank the teams all the way through the championship weekend."

Miami is 19th nationally in Game Control per the ESPN Football Power Index. The Hurricanes are sixth in Strength of Record which is exactly where the rank in the CFP. Miami is the third seed as the highest-ranked ACC team. SMU leads the ACC with a 7-0 record, while Miami is 6-1 in the conference.

SMU has already clinched an ACC Championship Game berth. If Miami does not win at Syracuse, Clemson receives a berth in the ACC Championship Game. SMU is ninth in the CFP Rankings and Clemson is 12th. Clemson would currently be the first team out. The ACC could potentially get three teams in the CFP.