The outcry from many college football fans asking who has Miami played is not looking closely enough at what the Hurricanes have accomplished two-thirds of the way through the 2024 season. David Hale of ESPN posted to X on Sunday that Miami is the only 4-0 team nationally versus the Football Power Index.
Miami began the season with a 41-17 win at Florida who is now 25th in the FPI, beat number 30 Virginia Tech 38-34, 33rd California 39-38 and Louisville who is 13th 52-45. Not only is Miami the only team that is 4-0 versus the top 40 in the FPI, but the Hurricanes accomplished three of those wins on the road.
Miami is third nationally in strength of record which ESPN defines as "SOR:Strength of Record rank. Reflects chance that an average Top 25 team would have team's record or better, given the schedule." Georgia and Oregon who are also at the top the polls rank first and second in the FPI SOR.
Miami has the 46th most difficult strength of schedule and the 49th toughest remaining schedule. Georgia Tech hosts Miami on Saturday before the Hurricanes have a bye week. Miami is 15th in game control and average in-game win probability.
vs current FPI top 40
— 💫🅰️♈️🆔 (@ADavidHaleJoint) November 3, 2024
Miami, 4-0
UGA, 4-1
aTm, 4-2
Bama, 4-2
TxTech, 3-0
BYU, 3-0
Tenn, 3-1
Miss, 3-1
K St, 3-1
Vandy, 3-2
LSU, 3-2
Iowa St, 2-0
ND, 2-0
Oregon, 2-0
Colo, 2-1
Ohio St, 2-1
SMU, 2-1
Pitt, 2-1
Texas, 2-1
Penn St, 2-1
Mizz, 2-2
SoCar, 2-3
Cuse, 1-1
Az St, 1-1
UNLV,…
The consensus narrative about the ACC being weak this season is misguided. Miami is one of five ACC teams in the week 11 polls. SMU, Clemson Pittsburgh and Louisville are also ranked this week. Only the SEC has more teams in the AP Top 25. The Big 10 also has five ranked teams.
The Net Ratings for basketball measure wins in four quadrants. David Cobb of CBS Sports developed a similar measurement for football. Using the measurement by Cobb, Miami would have two wins in Quad One and two in Quad Two. The resume Miami has built this season should impress the College Football Playoff committee.
Miami has another opportunity to build its resume over the final three games. Georgia Tech is 43rd in the FPI, Wake Forest is 91st and Syracuse is 62nd. Miami is a prohibitive favorite in all three games. Game control will be important. Miami controlled the game early versus Duke but struggled in the middle.
The CFP committee will take in all the metrics. Some committee members will use the metrics more than others when voting on which teams they believe belong in the CFP. Seeding will be impacted. If Miami wins the ACC Championship they will be seeded no lower than fourth and receive a bye to the quarterfinals.