Miami Hurricanes Land at No. 53 in All-Time College Football Playoff Rankings-But That Number Doesn't Tell the Whole Story
The Miami Hurricanes are headed to the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history, riding a 10-2 record and boasting one of the most balanced rosters in the country. But according to a recent all-time CFP team ranking, they’re starting their postseason journey with something to prove.
In a comprehensive list that ranks all 64 teams to ever make the CFP, Miami checks in at No. 53-a placement that raised more than a few eyebrows in Coral Gables. The Hurricanes are slotted between the 2024 Indiana Hoosiers and the 2025 Texas A&M Aggies. And for a team that’s posted top-10 efficiency metrics and has looked, at times, like a legitimate title contender, that’s a ranking that feels more like a starting point than a final verdict.
Let’s break it down.
Why Miami’s Ranking Feels Low
On paper, Miami’s resume stacks up well. They’ve won 10 games, feature a defense that’s been among the stingiest in the country, and have an offense that, when it’s humming, can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the field. Quarterback Carson Beck has shown poise and precision when protected, and wide receiver Malachi Toney has emerged as a true game-breaker.
So why the No. 53 spot?
The biggest knock against Miami is consistency-or rather, the lack of it in key moments. The Hurricanes stumbled in midseason losses to Louisville and SMU, and those weren’t just your average defeats.
They were turnover-heavy, mistake-prone showings where the offense couldn’t get out of its own way. Beck struggled mightily in both games, and while the defense did its part to keep things within reach, the offense didn’t hold up its end.
That’s the kind of volatility that playoff rankings tend to punish. And in a format where every snap matters, those two games loom large.
Who’s Ranked Ahead-and Why It Matters
Miami’s position becomes even more curious when you look at some of the teams ranked ahead of them. The 2024 Arizona State team that bowed out in the quarterfinals?
They’re at No. 52.
The 2014 Florida State squad that got steamrolled 59-20 by Oregon? They’re higher.
Even 2018 Notre Dame, which managed just three points in a 30-3 Cotton Bowl loss to Clemson, is ranked above Miami.
That’s where the frustration sets in for Canes fans. Miami hasn’t even taken a playoff snap yet, but they’re already being lumped in with teams that were clearly outmatched on the sport’s biggest stage.
It’s worth noting that many of the teams ranked higher than Miami come from the original four-team CFP format, where the path to the playoff was narrower and often more exclusive. That historical context matters-and it likely played a role in how these rankings were shaped. But it also creates a bit of a moving target when comparing teams across different eras of the playoff structure.
2024-25 Teams Ranked Ahead of the Canes
Looking specifically at recent playoff squads, here are the 2024 and 2025 teams ranked higher than Miami:
- No. 9 - 2024 Ohio State (10-2)
- No. 16 - 2025 Indiana (13-0)
- No. 22 - 2025 Ohio State (11-1)
- No. 23 - 2024 Oregon (13-1)
- No. 25 - 2024 Notre Dame (11-2)
- No. 30 - 2025 Texas Tech (11-1)
- No. 32 - 2025 Oregon (11-1)
- No. 33 - 2025 Georgia (12-1)
- No. 34 - 2024 Georgia (11-3)
- No. 36 - 2024 Texas (13-3)
- No. 39 - 2024 Penn State (13-3)
- No. 47 - 2025 Ole Miss (11-1)
- No. 50 - 2025 Texas A&M (11-1)
- No. 51 - 2024 Tennessee (10-3)
- No. 52 - 2024 Arizona State (11-3)
That’s a long list of teams, many with similar or even weaker resumes than Miami. But again, the Hurricanes’ two losses-and the way they lost-continue to cast a long shadow.
Who’s Behind Miami?
Despite the low ranking, Miami is still ahead of several notable programs:
- 2024 Clemson (63)
- 2024 SMU (62)
- 2025 Alabama (58)
- 2025 Oklahoma (57)
- 2024 Indiana (54)
And when it comes to Group of Five schools, only the 2021 Cincinnati team (ranked No. 46) is ahead of the Canes. That Bearcats squad went 13-1, beat Notre Dame, and made it to the semis before falling to Alabama. It’s a high bar, but one Miami could clear if they make a deep run.
The Good News: Miami Has a Chance to Rewrite the Narrative
Here’s the key thing to remember: this ranking is a snapshot, not a final judgment. The 2025 Hurricanes haven’t played a playoff game yet. Their story is still being written.
And they’ll get their first chance to shift the narrative soon, with a first-round matchup against Texas A&M-ironically, the team ranked just three spots ahead of them at No. 50. It’s a perfect opportunity to show that the No. 53 label doesn’t define who they are, or what they’re capable of.
If Miami can lean on its defense, clean up the turnovers, and get Carson Beck back into rhythm, there’s no reason they can’t climb this list in a hurry. Rankings are nice. Wins are better.
The Hurricanes are built to make some noise. Now it’s just a matter of proving it.