Canes lead the way among ACC teams currently in the coversation to make the CFP field
On Tuesday night, the College Football Playoff (CFP) committee released the first installment of its rankings for the 2024 season. In the first year of the 12-team system, there was plenty of uncertainty about how the committee would rank the contending teams.
After not being ranked in the previous version of CFP rankings, except for a couple of great weeks in the 2017 season (remember that?), the undefeated Miami Hurricanes made their triumphant return to the CFP rankings tonight. And, that ranking is sky high:
November 5️⃣ #CFBPlayoff Selection Committee Rankings
4️⃣. Miami (FL) // @CanesFootball pic.twitter.com/ulALFfeOHo
— College Football Playoff (@CFBPlayoff) November 6, 2024
And that’s exactly what it is. Ranked 4, seeded 3rd as projected ACC Champs https://t.co/QtjoPicXMY
— StateOfTheU.com (@TheStateOfTheU) November 6, 2024
The Full CFP rankings, including the first few teams on the outside looking in,
The first edition of the CFP bracket: pic.twitter.com/DjtnY9nRYH
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) November 6, 2024
So, the rankings — which have Miami 4th — and the bracket seedings — which have Miami 3rd — don’t necessarily line up. Remember the 4 highest ranked conference champions get byes as the top 4 seeds. But, Miami trails both Georgia and Ohio State — teams who have both lost this year — in the rankings.
Undefeated at 9-0 (5-0 ACC), the Canes have their destiny in their hands. With Heisman contending QB Cam Ward, the #1 offense in America (points, yards, 3rd down percentage, and more), Miami is having the kind of season they’ve seldom had in the last 20 years.
As it currently stands, Miami is in line for a first round bye. As the #3 seed, they would be in line to face the winner of 6 vs 11 game, initially ranked/seeded to be Alabama vs Texas, but there’s a long way to go before any of this is finalized.
For Miami, the path forward is clear: win and you’re in. The ACC is one of the 4 major conferences, and the ACC Champion will get an automatic ticket to the CFP, and most likely a first-round bye, to boot.
With Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, and Syracuse still remaining on the regular season schedule, there’s work to be done for Miami. But, Mario Cristobal, Cam Ward and company are focused on the task at hand.
Just keep winning and everything will take care of itself.
Go Canes