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Examining the last time Miami was in College Football Playoff rankings

College football and the World was in a very different place the last time Miami was in those rankings.

By Alan Rubenstein

Dec 5, 2020; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Manny Diaz, right, congratulates Miami Hurricanes quarterback D'Eriq King (1) after a touchdown drive against the Duke Blue Devils in the third quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. The Miami Hurricanes won 48-0. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-Imagn Images
Dec 5, 2020; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Manny Diaz, right, congratulates Miami Hurricanes quarterback D'Eriq King (1) after a touchdown drive against the Duke Blue Devils in the third quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. The Miami Hurricanes won 48-0. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-Imagn Images / Nell Redmond-Imagn Images
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College football and the world was in the middle of the COVID pandemic the last time Miami was in the Playoff Rankings. The season began at different times depending on the conferences. Miami played nine games while some Big 10 and Pac-12 teams played as few as three games when the first CFP Rankings were released on November 24th.

Miami was 8-1 and ranked 10th in the initial 2020 CFP rankings. Mario Cristobal had Oregon five spots behind Miami at 3-0 in the first 2020 CFP rankings. The only loss for Miami when the first 2020 CFP rankings were released was a 42-17 defeat Clemson to drop the Hurricanes to 3-1.

Miami had an elite offense in 2020, but not nearly as consistent as it has been in 2024. The 2020 Hurricanes averaged 34.0 points per game which was 26th nationally out of 128 teams who played during the 2020 season. Miami has two games scoring under 20 points which also included a 19-14 win over Virginia.

D'riq King was electric for Miami as a transfer from Houston. King completed 64.1 percent of his passes for 2,686 yards, 23 touchdowns with 538 yards rushing and four scores in 11 games. Xavier Restrepo was a true freshman in 2020. Restrepo had one reception for 12 yards and three punt returns for nine yards.

Restrepo was the only player on the 2020 Miami team who is still making an impact in 2024. In 2024 Restrepo is first in the ACC in receiving yards and TDs and second in receptions. Four years later led by Restrepo and QB Cam Ward Miami is 9-0 and fourth in the initial CFP rankings at a similar spot in the season.

Miami was in the middle of two consecutive bye weeks due to a COVID outbreak when the first 2020 CFP rankings were released. Returning on December 5, Miami beat Duke 48-0. Miami lost 62-26 a week later in one of the worst defeats in program history. The Hurricanes finished the regular season 18th after the loss to UNC.

Miami finished 2020 with a 37-34 loss to Oklahoma State in the Cheez-it Bowl. After the loss to Oklahoma State Miami fell to 22nd in the final Associated Press Top 25. Miami received its highest ranking in the CFP since they were second on November 21, 2017 in the week 13 poll. Miami is fourth in the first 2024 poll.

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