Miami’s path back into the AP Top 5 got a lot clearer in a week where several teams above the Hurricanes stumbled.
The biggest shakeup came from Ole Miss, which took a 52-28 loss to Florida and is set to tumble hard. That opens the door for Miami, which rolled Central Michigan 52-3 and should move up after spending time just outside the elite tier. Texas, Georgia and Notre Dame all held serve at the top, but the real movement is coming behind them.
Here’s how the poll should look after Week 4.
Texas stays No. 1 after surviving Tennessee 20-17, while Georgia sits at No. 2 after blasting Oklahoma 41-13. Notre Dame checks in at No. 3 following a 49-10 win over Purdue, and Indiana lands at No. 4 after beating Northwestern 29-23. Miami jumps to No. 5, with Ohio State at No. 6 after a 42-19 win over Illinois and Alabama at No. 7 after a 49-18 win over South Carolina.
Ole Miss’ loss is the kind of result that reshapes the middle of the rankings in a hurry. Once the Rebels slide, everybody behind them moves up a spot, and Florida looks like the biggest beneficiary.
The Gators, who beat Ole Miss 52-28, should land at No. 9 in this projection after climbing 12 places. LSU, which beat Texas A&M 35-6, slots in at No.
BYU gets squeezed by the chaos around it despite not playing, dropping to No. 10.
Texas Tech, fresh off a 49-14 win over Sam Houston State, moves to No. 11, while Ole Miss falls to No. 12.
Iowa’s 20-19 win over Michigan puts the Hawkeyes at No. 13.
Oregon is back in the playoff conversation after a 41-27 road win at USC and comes in at No. 14.
Utah follows at No. 15 after beating Iowa State 31-17, and Mississippi State continues its climb after a 31-24 win over Missouri. UCLA’s 54-3 win over Maryland puts the Bruins at No.
17, Kentucky checks in at No. 18 after beating South Alabama 45-21, and Tennessee falls to No. 19 after the loss to Texas.
The lower half of the poll got hit especially hard, with seven teams ranked No. 12 or lower taking losses. That opens the door for several new names.
SMU enters at No. 20 after beating Missouri State 34-24, Boise State comes in at No. 21 after a 32-7 win over Western Michigan, and Houston lands at No. 22 after beating Georgia Southern 42-28. USC drops to No. 23 after the loss to Oregon, Duke finally gets in at No. 24 after hammering William & Mary 62-7, and Oklahoma State rounds out the top 25 after beating West Virginia 41-24.
That means Penn State, Louisville, Michigan, Missouri and Texas A&M all fall out in this projection. Boise State and Duke have a clear case to be ranked, and Oklahoma State also has a strong argument after its win over a previously undefeated West Virginia team.
In Other News...
Clemson Just Got A Tougher Miami Test Than Expected
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Now, those absences appear to be short-lived, and that matters in a game where Miami will want as much stability as possible on both sides of the ball. Fletcher gives the Hurricanes another option in the backfield, while Motens presence up front helps a defense that will be tested in a big way, even as Cristobal says both players are healthy and ready to go. [Read more 🡒]
Miami Suddenly Has A Real RB2 Debate Before Clemson
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Mario Cristobal said Fletcher was rested with Clemson in mind, and Miami appears headed toward a committee approach for the RB2 role anyway. Wheatley-Humphrey, Girard Pringle and Jordan Lyle are all in the mix, which gives the Hurricanes options but also leaves the pecking order unsettled. Against a defense like Clemsons, the question is not just who gets the next carry, but who can earn the staffs trust when the game gets tight. [Read more 🡒]
Cristobal Put Miamis Clemson Focus On Two Issues After Blowout Win
After Miamis 52-3 rout of Central Michigan, the focus inside the program quickly shifted from the lopsided final to the details that matter next. The Hurricanes piled up 572 yards and forced three turnovers, with Darian Mensah sharp through the air and Malachi Toney continuing to give the offense a big-play presence, but head coach Mario Cristobal spent his media time zeroing in on how the game was managed and how the roster was rotated.
Clemson is the real measuring stick ahead, and Cristobals message after the win centered on two issues that will shape how prepared Miami looks when that one arrives. The matchup is already looming as a major test for a team that handled Central Michigan with ease, and the attention now is on whether the Canes can keep the same edge while tightening the pieces that matter most in a bigger game. [Read more 🡒]