The Miami Hurricanes find relief in the College Football Playoff pathway, but must retain a sense of urgency.
The Miami Hurricanes are coming off a strong victory over the Syracuse Orange, with a final score of 38-10. The team got great contributions from multiple players who haven't been highlighted throughout the season.
Freshman running back Girard Pringle Jr. rushed seven times for 55 yards and a touchdown. It was his most productive game of the season, especially since senior running back Mark Fletcher Jr. was sidelined due to injury. It was an outstanding and much-needed performance from the 19-year-old.
Also, redshirt wide receiver Keelan Marion finished with 116 yards after three targets, including a 61-yard touchdown. That's the most he's recorded in a single game this season.
However, the win meant more than just bouncing back from the loss against the SMU Mustangs the week before, or avenging last year's disaster, but kept the Hurricanes' College Football Playoff chances up.
In the latest rankings, the team finished 15th, which also has them projected into the bracket, with notable wins against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and South Florida Bulls.
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The Hurricanes would go up against the sixth-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first round. They've finished in the top-10 of the AP polls in four out of six weeks.
College Football Playoff Selection Committee Chairman Mack Rhoades recently discussed the Hurricanes' situation in the ACC.
"The conversation with Miami has been about their consistency, especially on offense," he said. "They've been really good on defense. Obviously, the head-to-head with Notre Dame comes up. A lot of conversation about Notre Dame's seven straight. Better defensively than what they were at the beginning of the year. All of those things played into it. We've got great respect for Miami. When you think about the eye test, they're really talented on both sides of the ball. Just need to be a little more consistent on the offense."
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Rece Davis and CFP Selection Committee Chair, Mack Rhoades, talk through a chaotic situation for the ACC and Miami's part in it.
The Hurricanes currently average 32.9 points per game for the season, which is tied for 35th in the nation. However, the team showed signs of massive offensive sparks, especially against the South Florida Bulls, when they scored 49 points.
Mario Cristobal has alluded to focusing on "taking care of business" as college football reaches the final stretch. The final three games of the schedule hold significant meaning.
The Hurricanes will face the North Caroline State Wolfpack on Saturday for their final home game. They've only lost one game on their home turf, so protecting it this week is critical. The last two games against the Virginia Tech Hokies and Pitt Panthers will be on the road.
It all comes down to these three games for the Hurricanes.
More Miami Hurricanes News:
- "Mario Cristobal Praises Hurricanes Freshmen's Breakout Performance"
- "Hurricanes Make Slight Climb After Latest AP Poll Updates"
- "Hurricanes Men's Basketball Remains Unranked"
- "Mario Cristobal's Hurricanes Future In Potential Jeopardy"