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ESPN’s Heather Dinich projects Miami to stay in CFP field, cites ‘close losses’ and elite offense
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ESPN’s Heather Dinich is giving the edge to Miami in the race for the final College Football Playoff berth.
Dinich, who covers the CFP selection committee for ESPN, believes Miami’s “close losses” and high-octane offense will be enough to earn the final at-large spot in the eyes of the committee.
“In my bracket this week, I have them projected at No. 11, still in the College Football Playoff,” Dinich said on SportsCenter on Sunday morning. “Because this selection committee likes this offense and Cam Ward. They like close losses. This was on the road, I just have a feeling that selection committee chair Warde Manuel is going to talk about those close losses as he has with other teams.”
Heather Dinich projects Miami to make the playoffs.
She thinks this committee will point out Miami’s offense & close losses. pic.twitter.com/etoZeY3sFF
— NMD Grant (@NMDgrant) December 1, 2024
Given the results of Week 14 and the previous rankings, it’s likely 11 CFP berths are already spoken for. That group includes Oregon, Penn State, Ohio State, Indiana, Texas, Georgia, Tennessee and Notre Dame. Additionally, conference champs from the ACC, Big 12 and the Group-of-5 are each projected to have a spot in the Playoff.
That would leave 1 spot open for an at-large berth program like Miami. South Carolina and Alabama are also candidates to earn the final bid. SMU could be, too, if the Mustangs lose in the ACC Championship Game to Clemson.
Miami finished the season with a 10-2 record, but lost 2 of its final 3 games to Georgia Tech and Syracuse. Both defeats were close — they both came on the road by a combined 9 points. To Dinich’s point, Miami does have arguably the nation’s best offense. The Canes finished first nationally this season in yards per play at 7.6.
The next CFP selection committee rankings will be revealed on Tuesday night.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
