Can Miami Hurricanes make playoffs? These games could impact their chances
The Miami Hurricanes continue to inch up the College Football Playoff rankings, but still face an uphill climb entering the final week of the regular season.
UM checked in at No. 12 in the latest ranking, making the Hurricanes once again the highest-ranked Atlantic Coast Conference team but on the outside looking in for an at-large bid into the field.
So that means that, once again, Miami is looking like it will need help beyond winning its final game against No. 22 Pittsburgh if it wants to make the playoffs — whether that’s as an at-large team or sneaking into the ACC Championship Game.
Here’s the full rundown of games that could have an impact on the Hurricanes, including rooting interests.
Friday
No. 7 Ole Miss at Mississippi State, noon, ABC: The Rebels are likely in the playoff field no matter what happens, but an upset loss could make things interesting. And who knows how the Lane Kiffin uncertainty will impact the game?
No. 13 Utah at Kansas, noon, ESPN: The committee moved Miami ahead of Utah this week, but the Utes getting a third loss all but ends any chance of them getting an at-large bid.
No. 4 Georgia at No. 23 Georgia Tech, 3:30 p.m., ABC: The Yellow Jackets, who have lost two of their past three, can create chaos should they upset the Bulldogs. So... hope Georgia pulls this one out.
No. 3 Texas A&M at No. 16 Texas, 7:30 p.m., ABC: An upset win by the Longhorns of the undefeated Aggies could potentially vault a three-loss Texas team above Miami in the rankings. Hurricanes fans should hope Texas A&M caps its regular season with a perfect record.
Saturday early
No. 1 Ohio State at No. 15 Michigan, noon, Fox: Similar to the Texas A&M-Texas situation, Miami fans should root for Ohio State here and thus avoid an extra team getting added into the mix of the at-large discussion.
UCF at No. 11 BYU, 1 p.m., ESPN2: Although unlikely, a UCF upset win would do wonders for Miami by giving BYU its second loss of the season.
Saturday mid-afternoon
Boston College at Syracuse, 3 p.m., The CW Network: This is on the lower end of the ACC tiebreaker scenario conversation, but Syracuse winning benefits Miami.
Wake Forest at Duke, 3:30 p.m., ACC Network: Miami needs at least two of Duke, Virginia and SMU to lose to have a chance at reaching the ACC Championship Game, so pull for Wake Forest here.
No. 6 Oregon at Washington, 3:30 p.m., Fox: Oregon is in a similar situation as Ole Miss. The Ducks are probably in regardless, but a second loss — to an unranked team, no less — could make things interesting down the stretch.
No. 14 Vanderbilt at No. 19 Tennessee, 3:30 p.m., ESPN: The Commodores are on the outside looking in of an at-large berth, but would the committee jump them back over Miami should they beat the Volunteers? For the Hurricanes’ sake, let’s hope the argument isn’t needed.
Saturday night
Virginia Tech at No. 18 Virginia, 7 p.m., ESPN: Virginia clinches a spot in the ACC Championship Game with a win against Virginia Tech. Plus, Miami needs at least two of Duke, Virginia and SMU to lose to have a chance at reaching the ACC Championship Game, so pull for the Virginia Tech upset here.
No. 10 Alabama at Auburn, 7:30 p.m., ABC: An Alabama loss would give the Crimson Tide three defeats — including two to unranked opponents — and would keep them out of the SEC Championship Game.
North Carolina at NC State, 7:30 p.m., ACC Network: This is on the lower end of the ACC tiebreaker scenario conversation, but NC State winning benefits Miami.
No. 21 SMU at California, 8 p.m., ESPN2: SMU clinches a spot in the ACC championship Game with a win. Plus, Miami needs at least two of Duke, Virginia and SMU to lose to have a chance at reaching the ACC Championship Game, so pull for the Cal upset here.
No. 9 Notre Dame at Stanford, 10:30 p.m., ESPN: OK, this one probably isn’t happening, but if Stanford could upset Notre Dame...
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