Miami Athletic Director Dan Radakovich expressed his frustration on social media following the release of the penultimate College Football Playoff rankings. His main contention? The committee’s decision to rank Alabama ahead of the Hurricanes, despite Miami’s close losses in their final games.
Miami’s Tough Final Stretch
As the season drew to a close, Miami faced a challenging trio of games. The Hurricanes ended up with a disappointing 1-2 record in their last three matchups. They suffered narrow defeats against Georgia Tech and Syracuse, with a lone victory over Wake Forest sandwiched in between. In contrast, Alabama managed to secure a 2-1 record during the same period, with wins over Auburn and Mercer, although they did fall to Oklahoma on the road.
Comparing the Margin of Defeat
Radakovich didn’t stop at just the win-loss record; he highlighted the significant differences in the margins of defeat for both teams. Miami’s losses were heartbreakers, coming by a combined total of just nine points. Meanwhile, Alabama’s defeat to Oklahoma was much more lopsided, with a final score of 24-3. This raises an important question: Shouldn’t close losses against tough opponents be weighed more heavily than a larger defeat?
Radakovich’s Twitter Outburst
In a passionate tweet, Radakovich questioned the committee’s rationale. “Really??” he wrote. “….what put Bama over the top of Miami for the last spot in is that Miami went 1-2 in their last 3 games (by an average of 4.5 pts, to a ranked Syracuse and GT team that just took UGA to 8OT). Bama went 2-1 (to 5-7 Auburn, destroyed by OU, and beat FCS Mercer).” His words resonated with many fans who believe that the Hurricanes’ performance should have been viewed more favorably.
Committee’s Perspective
The College Football Playoff committee, led by chairman Warde Manuel, offered their perspective on the rankings. Manuel acknowledged the strengths of both teams but pointed to Alabama’s superior record against ranked opponents as a key factor. “What it came down to is as we evaluated both teams and looked at how they rank, obviously we think highly of both teams,” he stated during the ESPN reveal show. “One’s at 11, one’s at 12. But what it really came down to is Alabama is 3-1 against current top 25 teams and Miami is 0-1. Alabama is 6-1 against teams above .500 and Miami’s 4-2.”
Implications of the Rankings
Both Miami and Alabama found themselves on the outside looking in, as neither team made their respective conference championships. This situation leaves the committee with little reason to adjust their current rankings. However, the landscape of college football can change rapidly, especially during Championship Week. Surprising results could shake up the playoff picture, leaving fans and teams alike on the edge of their seats.
Looking Ahead
As the season progresses, the debate surrounding the rankings will only intensify. Fans are left wondering: What more can teams do to prove their worth? With Miami’s close losses and Alabama’s mixed results, the conversation about fairness in rankings is bound to continue. The stakes are high, and every game counts, especially as teams aim for a coveted playoff spot.
In the world of college football, emotions run high, and every fan has a stake in the outcome. The passion for the game is what makes it so special, and discussions like these only add to the excitement. Will Miami find a way to prove themselves in the final weeks? Can Alabama maintain their position? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the race for the College Football Playoff is heating up, and fans are here for every thrilling moment.
