Miami Hurricanes in College Football Playoff: What's the path to national title right now?

Miami Hurricanes in College Football Playoff: What’s the path to national title right now?

Posted by author November 27, 2024 Football

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The Miami Hurricanes moved up a couple of spots in the College Football Playoff rankings this week. But they need two more wins to cement their spot in the bracket.

Miami is now sixth in the rankings and is projected as the No. 3 seed in the 12-team tournament, which would earn a first-round bye. The projection is based off of being the highest ranked team from the ACC, which determines its champion in the conference title game on Dec. 7 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

In order for Miami to reach that game, it must first win at Syracuse this Saturday. A loss will drop the Hurricanes to 10-2, and render them in the waiting room, hoping for one of seven at-large bids.

Who holds a playoff spot in the CFP playoffs?

The top five conference champions and seven at-large teams will reach the College Football Playoffs. Here is the latest top 25:

Oregon 11-0
Ohio State 10-1
Texas 10-1
Penn State 10-1
Notre Dame 10-1
Miami 10-1
Georgia 9-2
Tennessee 9-2
SMU 10-1
Indiana 10-1
Boise State 10-1
Clemson 9-2
Alabama 8-3
Ole Miss 8-3
South Carolina 8-3
Arizona State 9-2
Tulane 9-2
Iowa State 9-2
BYU 9-2
Texas A&M 8-3
Missouri 8-3
UNLV 9-2
Illinois 8-3
Kansas State 8-3
Colorado 8-3

Who would Miami Hurricanes play in CFP right now?

If the season ended today, the Hurricanes would get a first-round bye as the third seed and projected ACC champion. They would play the winner of the Indiana-Penn State game in a second-round bowl game.

Can the Miami Hurricanes retain a CFP playoff spot?

The Hurricanes will visit Syracuse (8-3) on Saturday in the regular season finale.

The ACC title game will be held on Dec. 7, which the Hurricanes would need to win to keep their spot.

Will Miami make the ACC title game?

Simply put, SMU (10-1, 7-0 ACC) is in the conference title game, regardless of the outcome of its game Saturday against Cal. If Miami wins Saturday, it will improve to 11-1 and 7-1 in the conference and will advance to Charlotte.

If Miami loses Saturday, then Clemson (9-2, 7-1) will make the title game. They play state rival South Carolina, but that is not a conference game, so their one-loss ACC season has them rooting for the Orange on Saturday.