The Miami Hurricanes closed out their 2025 regular season with a statement win - and if the College Football Playoff committee is paying attention, that 38-7 dismantling of Pitt should be hard to ignore.
From the opening whistle, Miami looked like a team on a mission. The defense didn’t just dominate - it suffocated Pitt’s offense, holding them to a single score and forcing mistakes all over the field. Offensively, the Hurricanes took full control in the crucial “middle eight” - the final four minutes of the first half and the first four of the second - punching in two touchdowns that effectively sealed the game.
Let’s break down who stood out most - and who didn’t - according to Pro Football Focus grades (minimum 20 snaps), and see how those numbers line up with what we saw on the field.
Top 5 Graded Hurricanes
1) Malachi Toney - 87.8
Toney was electric. If you watched the game, you didn’t need a PFF grade to know he was the best player on the field.
He touched the ball 20 times and turned those into 165 all-purpose yards, including a touchdown catch and even a touchdown pass. He’s not just a playmaker - he’s a game-breaker.
Whether it was lining up in the slot, taking handoffs, or throwing the ball, Toney was everywhere. He’s the kind of player who makes you hold your breath every time he touches the ball.
2) Xavier Lucas - 83.1
Lucas’ performance was as physical as it was smart. His forced fumble in the third quarter - with Miami already up 31-7 - was the kind of play that doesn’t just change a drive, it buries a team.
That hit was textbook: clean, violent, and perfectly timed. He also locked things down in coverage, allowing just two catches for 10 yards.
His 83.4 coverage grade backs up what we saw - a corner who played with confidence and control.
3) Francis Mauigoa - 82.1
The big right tackle continues to show why he’s one of the anchors of this offensive line. Mauigoa was a wall in pass protection and a bulldozer in the run game. Miami’s offense flowed through the trenches, and Mauigoa’s presence on the edge helped keep the pocket clean and lanes open.
4) Girard Pringle, Jr. - 76.8
Pringle ran with purpose. He averaged over eight yards per carry, and every touch seemed to come with a little extra burst.
He didn’t just find holes - he exploded through them. His vision and acceleration were on full display, and his ability to consistently move the chains helped Miami control the tempo.
5) Zechariah Poyser - 76.7
Poyser delivered the kind of hit that sticks with you. Late in the game, he leveled Pitt quarterback Mason Heintschel with a shot that had the entire stadium reacting.
It wasn’t just a highlight-reel moment - it was a tone-setter. Poyser’s physicality helped keep Pitt uncomfortable all night.
Notable Omissions
It’s a little surprising not to see guys like Rueben Bain, Jr., Ahmad Moten, Sr., or Akheem Mesidor in the top five. That defensive front was relentless - collapsing the pocket, blowing up run plays, and generally making life miserable for Pitt’s offense. But even if they didn’t crack the top five in grading, their impact was undeniable.
Bottom 5 Graded Hurricanes
1) Mohamed Toure - 45.7
2) Raul Aguirre, Jr. - 46.0
3) Armondo Blount - 51.9
4) Joshua Moore - 52.5
5) Keelan Marion - 53.7
This bottom five is a bit puzzling. Usually, there’s something that jumps out - a missed assignment, a blown coverage, a key penalty. But in this case, it’s tough to pinpoint exactly why these players graded out so low.
Toure gave up just two catches on four targets for a total of seven yards. He did miss a tackle, which could’ve factored in, but overall, he didn’t look out of place.
Aguirre allowed two completions for 18 yards - not exactly a glaring issue. Blount had two tackles and no missed tackles. Marion and Moore didn’t have any glaring errors either, at least not on first watch.
Sometimes the grading system picks up on nuances that don’t always show up on the broadcast - things like alignment, assignment execution, or subtle technique issues. But from a fan’s perspective, none of these players stood out for the wrong reasons.
Final Thoughts
Miami looked like a complete team against Pitt - fast, physical, and focused. The defense imposed its will, the offense capitalized on key moments, and the Hurricanes played with the kind of edge that playoff teams are made of.
Whether or not the committee gives them a shot, this team made its case loud and clear. And if you’re a Miami fan, you have every reason to believe that this is just the beginning.