The Miami Hurricanes are sitting at 10-2, on the outside looking in when it comes to the ACC Championship Game-but don’t let that fool you. This is a team that, according to ESPN analyst Greg McElroy, absolutely belongs in the thick of the College Football Playoff conversation.
On a recent episode of Always College Football, McElroy made it clear: Miami’s resume, despite missing out on a conference title shot, is strong enough to warrant serious CFP consideration. And he’s not wrong. The Hurricanes have been one of the most complete teams in the country for much of the season, even if a couple of missteps have complicated their path.
Let’s break it down.
A 10-2 Team with a CFP-Worthy Resume
Miami didn’t get to the ACC title game, which is a tough pill to swallow for Mario Cristobal’s squad-especially considering the talent on this roster. But the Hurricanes didn’t exactly limp to the finish line.
They lost a heartbreaker to Louisville by just three points, a game where they coughed up the ball four times. Then came a narrow loss to SMU, where a roughing the passer penalty on 4th-and-9 extended what could’ve been a game-ending drive.
Flip either of those moments, and we’re talking about an 11-1 team with a spot in the ACC Championship.
McElroy put it plainly: “They have the most talented roster by a mile in the ACC.” That’s not hyperbole.
This Miami team has NFL-level talent across the board, and they’ve shown it all season long. But now, without a conference title to strengthen their case, their fate rests with the CFP committee-a group that hasn’t exactly gone out of its way to boost Miami’s stock in the past.
The Notre Dame Comparison: A Case Study in Splitting Hairs
If you’re looking for a litmus test for Miami’s playoff worthiness, look no further than Notre Dame. The Irish are currently ranked No. 9, while Miami sits at No.
- But when you stack their resumes side by side, it’s a lot closer than the rankings suggest.
Both teams share four common opponents. Miami not only won three of those games, but did so by wider margins than Notre Dame.
Their strength of schedule? Nearly identical-Notre Dame at No.
42, Miami at No. 44.
Strength of record? Notre Dame is No.
13, Miami right behind at No. 14.
ESPN’s game control metric? Notre Dame at No.
5, Miami at No. 6.
So what separates them?
Well, Miami beat Notre Dame. Head-to-head.
Week 1. That’s the kind of data point the committee says it values-especially when two teams are as evenly matched on paper as these two.
McElroy summed it up well: “The College Football Playoff committee is going to have to look at the eye test over some of the resume gaps… If they are in the same group, then you talk about the head-to-head match-up. Of course Miami won that game.”
Passing the Eye Test
And speaking of the eye test, Miami’s checking a lot of boxes right now.
Quarterback Carson Beck is playing his best football of the year. His performance in a cold, blustery road win at Pitt was surgical-efficient, mistake-free, and composed. That’s exactly what you want from your QB in December.
Then there’s Malachi Toney, who’s not just one of the best freshmen in the country-he’s been one of the best players in college football, period. He’s explosive, dynamic, and has been a game-changer all season.
Defensively, Miami might’ve turned in its finest performance of the year against Pitt, holding a capable offense to just seven points. The defensive front was relentless, overwhelming the Panthers’ offensive line from start to finish.
And let’s not overlook the adversity. Miami’s dealt with injuries to seven starters throughout the regular season.
That’s not a footnote-it’s a testament to their depth and resilience. Yes, they dropped a couple games they probably shouldn’t have.
But that’s been used as a reason to forgive other teams. Will the committee extend the same grace to the Hurricanes?
What’s Next?
The next CFP Top 25 drops Tuesday night. The final selection show airs Sunday at noon. And Miami’s fate is very much in the hands of the committee.
McElroy isn’t downplaying Notre Dame-he called them “the real deal.” But he said the same about Miami, and with good reason.
“You catch either one of those two teams on the wrong day, good luck,” he said. “They can beat you running it or throwing it.
They have quarterbacks that can elevate. There is a lot to like about those two teams.”
So now it comes down to how much the committee values head-to-head wins, how it weighs conference championship appearances, and whether it’s willing to reward a team that’s passed the eye test all year long-even if the path wasn’t perfect.
One thing’s clear: Miami deserves to be in the conversation. And if the committee’s watching closely, they just might be in the mix come Selection Sunday.