Miami Makes Its Playoff Case Loud and Clear After Dominant Finish
The Miami Hurricanes didn’t just close out their regular season-they sent a message. With a resounding 38-7 win over Pittsburgh, the No. 12 Canes put the finishing touches on a 10-win season and added one more bullet point to an increasingly compelling College Football Playoff résumé.
This isn’t just about wins-it’s about how they’re winning. Eight of Miami’s 10 victories have come by 17 points or more.
Over the last four games alone, Mario Cristobal’s squad has outscored opponents 151-41. That’s not just a hot streak-that’s dominance on both sides of the ball.
Offensively, the Hurricanes have found their rhythm, executing with confidence and balance. Defensively, they’ve been relentless, flying to the ball and suffocating opposing attacks. When you talk about the “eye test” that the CFP committee often references, Miami is checking every box right now.
Let’s break down the numbers that matter.
Miami currently sits at No. 12 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, which are due for an update tomorrow night. The Canes are part of a crowded tier of two-loss teams-alongside an 11-1 BYU squad-battling for positioning between spots eight through 13.
What sets Miami apart is their balance. Among that group, the Hurricanes boast the most complete statistical profile: 12th in total defense and 29th in total offense nationally.
And it’s not just the CFP rankings where Miami is making noise. The Canes come in at No. 6 in the Sagarin ratings, ahead of seven SEC programs with one or two losses-Alabama, Georgia, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, Texas, and Oklahoma.
That’s not a fluke. Miami has five wins over teams in Sagarin’s Top 40, showing they’ve done more than beat up on weaker competition.
The advanced metrics back it up, too. In ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI), Miami ranks seventh-higher than one-loss Georgia, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, and BYU.
Again, five of their wins came against FPI Top 40 teams. Only Alabama and Oklahoma have more such wins-and it’s worth noting that Alabama took a two-touchdown loss to a 5-7 Florida State team.
In SP+ rankings, which blend efficiency, explosiveness, and field position, Miami sits ninth. That’s ahead of two-loss Utah, Vanderbilt, Alabama, Oklahoma, and BYU.
The résumé is there. The metrics are there. The momentum is real.
And don’t forget the signature win. One of those two-loss teams jockeying for playoff position?
Miami beat them. That electric night at Hard Rock Stadium against Notre Dame was more than just a win-it was a statement.
It helped launch a season that now stands as one of the program’s strongest in two decades.
For the first time since 2002-03, Miami has posted back-to-back double-digit win seasons. That’s not just a stat-it’s a sign that the program is back in the national conversation in a serious way.
The playoff committee has a tough job ahead. There’s a logjam of worthy teams, and the margins are razor-thin. But if the goal is to reward teams that dominate on the field, play complete football, and stack quality wins, Miami has earned its place in that discussion.
The Canes aren’t just knocking on the door-they’re pounding on it.