The Miami Hurricanes got the week off, again – thanks for nothing, ACC – on Saturday, but that doesn’t mean that things won’t happen to shift both their resume and those of the teams around them in the polls
and the projected College Football Playoff standings.
Regarding the latter, ESPN CFP expert Heather Dinich – who is well connected to the thinking of the committee – updated her projected rankings after Saturday’s action, and there was a little bit of shifting for the top teams, including Miami. The Canes dropped from the top spot to the 2 line, with Ohio State moving ahead of them. The Buckeyes won a convincing 34-16 showdown with Illinois in Champaign on Sunday.
This is what Dinich had to say about why Miami is at 2:
“The selection committee typically doesn’t move teams around if they don’t play, unless it happens as a result of shuffling around them. Ohio State’s win at Illinois strengthened its résumé, and the Buckeyes were also helped by Texas beating Oklahoma. It didn’t help the Canes that Florida State picked up its third loss, this one to an unranked Pitt team. Miami’s overall body of work, though, is still worthy of consideration for the top spot. South Florida’s 63-36 lopsided win Friday night against previously undefeated North Texas further enhanced the Canes’ 49-12 drubbing of the Bulls on Sept. 13. What’s really separating Miami from Ohio State, though, is the season-opening win against Notre Dame, which has played its way back into the top 25 after winning four straight.“ – Via Heather Dinich, ESPN.com
It’s kind of amazing what a difference a week makes. The win over FSU lost some of its luster after the Noles continued their spiral with a third straight ACC loss, falling to Pitt at home 34-31. Thanks for literally nothing, Florida State.
But USF continues to make that 49-12 win by Miami look excellent. The Bulls rolled up previously unbeaten North Texas 63-36 and have a massive clash with Memphis ahead on their schedule to become the likely Group of Five team in the playoff. Canes fans should be rooting big time for the Bulls to roll this season. Notre Dame seems to have found its stride as well, and as much as it pains Miami fans, the Irish becoming a playoff contender only helps the Canes’ cause.
Now, it’s back to doing what the Canes can control – going 1-0 each week until December, starting on Friday night against Louisville.
Go Canes!
