Marco Rubio Enters the CFP Debate, Backs Miami Over Notre Dame
The College Football Playoff debate just got a political twist, and it’s coming straight from Capitol Hill. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a Florida alum with no ties to the Hurricanes, is throwing his support behind 10-2 Miami - and he’s doing it with a bit of flair.
During a nationally televised appearance on Tuesday, Rubio didn’t hold back when asked about the Hurricanes’ playoff hopes. “If the University of Miami gets screwed out of the College Football Playoff after going 10-2 and beating Notre Dame,” he said, “the whole thing should be scrapped and [President Trump] is gonna have to take over next year.”
It was a tongue-in-cheek moment, sure, but Rubio’s message was clear: the current CFP system is under fire, and Miami’s case is at the heart of it.
Miami vs. Notre Dame: The Controversy
At the center of the storm is a simple but glaring question: why is Notre Dame still ranked ahead of Miami?
In the latest College Football Playoff rankings, Notre Dame sits at No. 10, with Miami trailing at No. 12.
That’s despite the fact that Miami beat the Irish head-to-head - a result that, in most debates, would be the trump card. But the committee hasn’t seen it that way, and that decision has fueled a weeklong debate among fans, analysts, and now, politicians.
Rubio, who made sure to note he’s a Florida Gator, still couldn’t ignore what he sees as a major flaw in the system. “If Miami gets left out after beating Notre Dame and finishing 10-2, the system has lost credibility,” he said.
The Rankings Shuffle
The committee did make a small adjustment this week, dropping Notre Dame one spot. But it wasn’t enough to flip the order. Alabama moved up to No. 9, and BYU held steady at No. 11 - meaning Miami is still stuck behind both the Irish and the Cougars.
There’s still a path, though. If BYU stumbles in the Big 12 Championship Game against Texas Tech, the door could crack open. A loss there would likely drop the Cougars out of the top 10, potentially setting up a direct comparison between Notre Dame and Miami - and forcing the committee to revisit that head-to-head result.
Political Pressure Mounts
Rubio isn’t the first political figure to weigh in. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has also been vocal in recent weeks, adding his voice to the growing frustration over the CFP process. But Rubio’s comments - especially the part about Trump “taking over” the CFP committee - added a new layer of national attention to what was already a heated debate.
Of course, the idea of a former president running the playoff committee is more joke than policy proposal. Still, the sentiment behind it resonates with many fans who feel the system too often ignores logic in favor of brand names and narratives.
What’s Next?
For Miami, the path forward is clear: hope for chaos. A BYU loss, a stumble from another team in the top 10, and a strong final push from the Hurricanes could be enough to sway the committee. But even then, there’s no guarantee.
What is guaranteed? The debate isn’t going anywhere. And with high-profile voices like Rubio now entering the fray, the pressure on the CFP committee is only going to intensify.
One thing’s for sure - if Miami gets left out, the noise won’t stop in December. It might just be getting started.