Miami Hurricanes: On the Bubble for College Football Playoff Spot

Current Standing

The Miami Hurricanes have climbed to the 15th spot in the College Football Playoff rankings, up from their previous 18th position. They are the highest-ranked team from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), but their playoff fate is far from certain.

Path to Playoffs

To secure a playoff berth, the Hurricanes must win their final three games:

• NC State
• Virginia Tech
• Pittsburgh

A loss in any of these games could diminish their playoff hopes.

Season Performance

The Hurricanes have had a mixed season:

• Started strong with a 5-0 record
• Lost two consecutive games to Louisville and SMU

Committee Concerns

The selection committee has highlighted:

• Inconsistency on offense as a major concern
• Praise for their defense, but stressing the need for offensive consistency to secure a playoff spot

Competition Ahead

Five teams with two losses are currently ranked ahead of Miami:

1. Notre Dame
2. Texas
3. Oklahoma
4. Utah
5. Vanderbilt

Miami must outperform these teams in their remaining games to overtake them.

Playoff Format Changes

This year's College Football Playoff features:

• Top five conference champions receive automatic bids
• Next seven highest-ranked teams receive at-large bids
• All teams seeded by ranking

Potential Playoff Scenario

If Miami makes the playoffs, they would be the 11th seed and face the 6th seed in the first round on December 19 or 20.

Playoff Schedule

• Quarterfinals: Cotton Bowl, Orange Bowl, Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl
• Semifinals: Fiesta Bowl, Peach Bowl
• National Championship: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens

Top 25 Rankings

1. Ohio State
2. Indiana
3. Texas A&M
4. Alabama
5. Georgia
6. Texas Tech
7. Ole Miss
8. Oregon
9. Notre Dame
10. Texas
11. Oklahoma
12. BYU
13. Utah
14. Vanderbilt
15. Miami
16. Georgia Tech
17. USC
18. Michigan
19. Virginia
20. Louisville
21. Iowa
22. Pittsburgh
23. Tennessee
24. USF
25. Cincinnati