The Miami Hurricanes had the College Football Playoffs all mapped out. They were going to win against Syracuse in Week 14 and cruise to the ACC Championship Game. Then, a first-round bye was in sight.
But the Orange had different plans. Now, following the loss to Syracuse, the Hurricanes are .. out .. of the playoff picture?
Will Miami Make the Playoffs After Loss to Syracuse?
The loss to Syracuse pushes the Hurricanes not only out of the ACC Championship Game, it also completely destroys their playoff candidacy. Miami, who entered the week ranked No. 6 in the committee’s eyes, had their dream season dashed in the dome, dropping their second game of the season in dramatic fashion.
Now with two losses and their exit from the ACC Championship picture, the Hurricanes are set to be on the outside looking in of the College Football Playoff picture.
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The ACC Champion will now be SMU or Clemson, and Miami is now subject to making the playoffs as an at-large team. And as a two-loss ACC team competing with multiple three-loss SEC teams, the ‘Canes road map involves an incredible uphill climb.
How Can Miami Make the Playoffs?
They could’ve made the playoffs simply by beating Syracuse. However, that’s not where we’re here.
We’re here to look at the teams that should be ranked at or around the Hurricanes on Tuesday when the committee debuts their next playoff rankings. Given the historic precedents around teams losing to unranked opponents and other movement this season, Miami is likely set to be ranked somewhere below South Carolina and Arizona State.
That means Miami could land at No. 14 or 15 in the next rankings update.
And that would put them comfortably out of the playoff picture with just the conference championship games left to be played.
Miami would be ranked below Arizona State, but likely above the remaining Big 12 contenders — BYU, Colorado, Iowa State — but that won’t matter. The Big 12 will score one of their representatives by virtue of winning the conference from this quartet.
And Boise State or UNLV will earn the Group of Five representative spot as well.
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So, for Miami, the road is disastrous following the loss to Syracuse. Even with some help and the likelihood that at least two teams above them lose in their conference championship game, Miami won’t have the edge over the SEC teams sitting with three losses.
And for that, South Carolina, Alabama, or Ole Miss will owe Syracuse a massive fruit basket for knocking Miami out.
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