Miami makes its CFP case moving into ESPN Football Power Index top 10

Miami moved up to 10th in the ESPN Football Index after its 34-17 win at Virginia Tech on Saturday. The Hurricanes were 11th in the ESPN FPI entering week 13. Miami is higher in the ESPN FPI than it is in the national polls.

Miami is 13th in the Associated Press Top 25 and USA Today Coaches polls that were released on Sunday. The College Football Playoff rankings had Miami 13th in the week 13 rankings. The week 14 CFP rankings will be released on Tuesday night.

Miami is projected to finish with 9.8 wins and 2.4 losses per the ESPN FPI, with a 65.0 percent chance to win out. ESPN Analytics projects Miami with a 70.0 percent chance to win at Pittsburgh on Saturday. The FanDuel Sportsbook has Miami as a 6.5-point favorite at Pittsburgh on Saturday.

Miami is 13th in the ESPN FPI strength of record, has the 48th toughest strength of schedule, the 26th remaining SOS, is sixth in game control and fifth in average in-game win probability. Then Hurricanes have controlled play in the majority of their games during the 2025 season.

Where Miami ranks in efficiencies

Miami is 13th in overall FPI efficiency, 24th in offensive efficiency, sixth in defensive efficiency and 80th in special teams efficiency. In the SP+ metrics, Miami is 11th overall, 18th in offense, 12th in defense and 15th in special teams.

The ESPN FPI and SP+ metrics rank Miami higher than the polls. How much the metrics are used in determining who makes the CFP is likely up to each member on the committee. It's clear that the ESPN metrics are belying the alleged eye test from the committee.

Miami has an opportunity to improve its metrics with a win at Pittsburgh on Saturday. Pittsburgh is 29th nationally in the ESPN FPI and SP+. Miami is the highest-rated ACC team in the metrics. SMU is 23rd and Louisville 44th in the FPI. The Mustangs are 24th and Cardinals 45th as the CFP committee harps on Miami losing to unranked teams.