Press Article: Miami’s Playoff Hopes Dim as Alabama Climbs in Rankings
Miami’s hopes for a spot in the College Football Playoff took a serious blow, while Alabama’s chances received a boost in the latest rankings released on Tuesday night. The Miami Hurricanes (10-2) fell six places to No. 12 in the standings, making them the first team out of the projected playoff bracket after suffering their second loss of the season. In contrast, Alabama (9-3) saw a rise to No. 11 following a victory last week, positioning them as the last team in the bracket and the fourth representative from the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
Selection committee chair and Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel stated that Miami could not surpass Alabama in the rankings, as neither team is playing next weekend. The committee’s focus appears to weigh strength of schedule and other performance metrics more heavily than just wins and losses. Manuel noted key discrepancies in performance, highlighting Alabama’s stronger record against ranked teams and its wins against teams with winning records.
Despite dropping from fifth to sixth following a loss to Michigan, Oregon retained its No. 1 ranking as the only undefeated team in major college football. Notable changes in the rankings included Texas rising to No. 2, Penn State at No. 3, and Notre Dame at No. 4.
As the playoff picture crystallizes with the first 12-team playoff set to begin on December 20, the stakes remain high. Miami’s fate could hinge on outcomes from upcoming conference title games, particularly in the SEC, Big 12, and ACC, complicating their already challenging path to the playoffs.
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