Miami Hurricanes Snubbed in College Football Playoff Rankings Despite Notre Dame Win

The Miami Hurricanes remain ranked below Notre Dame in the latest College Football Playoff poll. This is despite Miami defeating Notre Dame head-to-head in the season’s opening week. The new rankings were released on Tuesday, placing Notre Dame at number nine. Miami sits at number twelve.

This decision has sparked debate among analysts and fans. Many believe a direct victory should carry more weight with the selection committee. The committee’s rationale focuses heavily on the quality of each team’s losses.

Committee Chair Explains Ranking Logic

Committee chair Hunter Yurachek explained the group’s thinking. He stated that Notre Dame and Miami were directly compared this week. The committee still views Notre Dame as a more complete and consistent team. They believe Notre Dame deserves its spot ahead of other teams like Alabama and BYU.

Miami has been recognized for its recent strong play. Yurachek highlighted quarterback Carson Beck’s excellent performance over the last three games. Beck has completed over 80% of his passes with no interceptions. This has helped Miami become the biggest mover in the polls over the past four weeks.

Quality of Losses Outweighs Head-to-Head Victory

The core issue is how the committee evaluates losses. According to Yurachek, Miami’s two defeats came against unranked opponents. Notre Dame’s two losses were to Miami and a then-top-ten Texas A&M team. The committee values the fact that Notre Dame’s losses were against stronger competition.

This logic appears to outweigh the direct result from September. The head-to-head win has not been enough to lift Miami above the Fighting Irish. This approach shows the committee’s obsession with a team’s entire resume. A single game, even a direct win, is just one part of a larger picture.

The ongoing debate highlights a fundamental tension in the College Football Playoff selection process. The committee’s focus on “quality losses” continues to frustrate fanbases and analysts alike. The final College Football Playoff rankings will ultimately determine if this controversial logic holds.

Info at your fingertips

Why is Notre Dame ranked above Miami?

The committee values Notre Dame’s consistency and the quality of its losses. Miami’s defeats were against unranked teams, while Notre Dame lost to a ranked opponent and Miami.

What did the committee chair say about Miami?

Hunter Yurachek praised Miami’s recent performance and quarterback play. He noted the team is the biggest mover in the polls over the last four weeks.

Can Miami still make a New Year’s Six bowl?

Yes, Miami remains in contention for a major bowl bid. A strong finish, including a win over Pittsburgh, would significantly boost their resume.

Who does each team play next?

Notre Dame faces unranked Stanford this weekend. Miami has a tougher matchup against No. 22 Pittsburgh.

Has this happened before in CFP history?

Yes, the committee has previously prioritized a team’s full body of work over a single head-to-head result. This is a recurring point of contention each season.