Miami coach Mario Cristobal has firmly presented his College Football Playoff (CFP) case, urging the selection committee to focus on the undeniable facts when evaluating whether the Hurricanes merit an at-large spot in the 12-team playoff format.
The Hurricanes, currently ranked 14th with a record of 10-2 and 6-2 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, find themselves in a competitive landscape alongside several other potential at-large candidates. Among these are SEC rivals Alabama, South Carolina, and Mississippi, each finishing their regular seasons with 9-3 records.
Cristobal emphasized the significance of their accomplishments during his weekly segment on WQAM, the team’s flagship radio station. “We won 10 games this year, and not many teams can say that,” he remarked. “Our losses were narrow, coming down to just one possession. That sets us apart from the 9-3 teams.”
The selection committee is set to unveil its penultimate rankings Tuesday night, which will likely indicate which teams are in contention for the final playoff bracket to be revealed on Sunday.
This weekend’s conference championship games will play a pivotal role in shaping the playoff picture. Notable matchups include Clemson against SMU in the ACC, UNLV versus Boise State in the Mountain West, Iowa State facing Arizona State in the Big 12, Georgia clashing with Texas in the SEC, and Penn State taking on Oregon in the Big Ten. However, Miami will not have the opportunity to enhance its resume further, as their season has concluded.
Cristobal argued that recognition should be awarded to teams that achieve victories rather than those who attempt to justify their standings through rhetoric. “The awards should go to the teams that are actually winning the games, not the ones that are politicking themselves out of losses,” he stated.
Miami’s case for a CFP berth is bolstered by several compelling points: they secured an impressive victory against Florida to kick off the season, they lead the nation in total yards and points per game, and Heisman Trophy contender Cam Ward topped the nation with 36 touchdown passes. Additionally, the Hurricanes remained undefeated at home, and their two losses—against Georgia Tech and Syracuse—were by a mere nine points combined.
Critics of Miami point out that the Hurricanes did not face any ranked opponents during their season and that their defense struggled, allowing at least 31 points in five of their last eight games.
Despite these defensive challenges, Miami finished the regular season as one of only seven teams nationally ranked in the top 25 for both yards gained and yards allowed per game, sharing this distinction with schools like Indiana, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee, and Texas.
“Go to the facts,” Cristobal reiterated. “Award football teams for winning football games.”
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