Miami can win a championship, but these three teams could post the biggest threat

Miami is currently 12th in the College Football Playoff rankings and the Hurricanes are close enough that an at-large spot is certainly going to be in play, especially if the committee decides to acknowledge that Miami DID beat Notre Dame on August 31. 

So, let's say the Hurricanes are on track to make the playoffs going into this holiday weekend. What three teams are the ones that Miami needs to worry about most?

1. Pitt Panthers

There's no bigger threat than the one staring you in the face. The Panthers are more than capable of making life hell for Miami this weekend at Acrisure Stadium. The weather is going to be cold, with an anticipated high of 34 degrees. The good news is there doesn't appear to be any snow in the forecast. With Pitt coming back in the CFP top 25, the Hurricanes shouldn't have to worry about style points. Winning is more than enough. 

2. Indiana Hoosiers

There are a couple of storylines in play here. We have Miami native and possible Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza playing against his hometown team and trying to prove that the Hurricanes should have chosen him over Carson Beck. And then there's Curt Cignetti and the fact that he just doesn't care. The Indiana coach always wants to make a statement and if he sees an opportunity to run the score up on an opponent, he'll do it. For a coach that tends to stay on the cautious side like Mario Cristobal, this matchup is one to keep an eye on.

3. Oklahoma Sooners

If there's one team that Miami fans should want to avoid at all costs in the playoffs, it's Oklahoma. There's just something about that Sooners defense, especially the secondary, that makes me believe it would be a struggle for Beck. The Sooners offense, even with John Mateer running the show, isn't as scary, but they don't need to score a lot of points. I believe Beck could have a memorable postseason if he avoids turnovers, but Oklahoma's defense forces a lot of mistakes. Keep the Sooners away.