After a convincing win over Syracuse last week, Miami saw its position in the College Football Playoff rankings improve. But the Hurricanes know the final stretch will decide their ultimate standing.
Miami, which defeated the Orange, 38-10, at Hard Rock Stadium last Saturday, landed at No. 15 in Tuesday’s rankings release, keeping them in the national conversation with a three-spot jump from the week before. The Hurricanes’ win — combined with losses by ACC counterparts Louisville, Virginia and Duke — helped their CFP case, but to make the tournament, they still need to move into the top 12.
They can take a step closer on Saturday at 3:30 p.m., when they host a crucial matchup against North Carolina State at Hard Rock Stadium.
Despite losing two of the last four games, following a 5-0 start, Miami’s team mentality hasn’t changed, even as national attention grows.
“The team understands we’re on the verge of playing really good football, and it’s all about us,” Miami coach Mario Cristobal said Monday in his press conference previewing the N.C. State game. “The mindset is where it needs to be, they’re ready to get after it.”
Miami’s defense has been one of the most reliable units in the ACC, and has been a steadying force while the Hurricanes figure out some midseason concerns on offense. Leading the conference in total defense, allowing only 285.1 yards per game, Miami (7-2, 3-2 ACC) has allowed the fewest yards of any team in the conference.
Defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman, who also spoke to the media Monday, said his unit is still evolving. But he credited preparation and communication for the team’s defensive success thus far.
“I think it’s the way our guys prepare,” Hetherman said. “Every time we take the field, whether it’s a Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday, we treat it like a game situation.”
On the other side of the ball, offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson said Miami’s offense, ranked No. 8 in the ACC, is finding its rhythm after a strong win over Syracuse (3-7, 1-6). Though the offense closed with a flurry, the Hurricanes were shut out in the first quarter against the Orange.
“We have to play loose,” Dawson said. “I felt like we were a little bit too uptight at times, and that restricts offense.”
Up next are the Wolfpack (5-4, 2-3), a team that made a statement in a 48-36 win over Georgia Tech last week. Miami can’t afford to slow down against a team it is heavily favored to defeat. As of Thursday, the Hurricanes were 14.5-point favorites.
“[N.C. State] may be one of the most physical defenses we’ve faced,” Cristobal said. “They’re relentless up front, and complemented by a really good back end as well.”
The Hurricanes’ path to the 12-team playoff is simple: Keep winning, stay healthy, finish strong and live with the results. With two losses already on their ledger, nothing is guaranteed.
That said, Miami this week is the highest-ranked ACC team in the 25-team poll. And though the Hurricanes will need help from other teams to climb even further, the staff has made it clear that the focus is inward.
“What they do on offense is difficult to stop,” Hetherman said of the Wolfpack. “We’ve got to stop the run, affect the quarterback and hit him as much as we can early in the game. It’s about winning up front and in the box.”
The meeting with N.C. State is the final home game of the Hurricanes’ season. They will close with road dates at Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh. And they will learn their next CFP standing on Tuesday, when the Week 3 rankings are released.
