The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) could have an unexpected team in the College Football Playoff this year, possibly even two.
Unbeaten and fourth-ranked Miami (9-0, 5-0), which was expected to finish third in the ACC behind defending champion Florida State and Clemson, is currently ranked No. 4 in the initial College Football Playoff rankings.
The Hurricanes, one of just five unbeaten teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision, could earn a first-round bye if they win the ACC title — unless SMU or Clemson beats them to it.
Miami coach Mario Cristobal talked about the team’s mindset, saying, “I think the hunger grows. I think we understand what a blessing it is to be in November and to be playing very significant football.”
In a surprising turn, SMU (8-1, 5-0), in its first season back as a Power 4 school after winning the American Athletic Conference last year, is ranked No. 13.
The Mustangs are looking to make the playoff field. This is their highest ranking ever, and coach Rhett Lashlee expressed pride in the team’s achievements.
After beating Pitt, he said, “I think it means that our program belongs at this level and our program is capable of competing at this level, which we all believe.” SMU has a bye this week before hosting Boston College.
The first set of rankings also include three other ACC teams: No. 23 Pitt (7-1, 3-1), No. 25 Louisville (6-3, 4-2), which recently beat Clemson 33-21 to return to the poll, and No. 19 Clemson (6-2, 5-1), who are still in the hunt for a championship after winning six titles since 2015.
As for Florida State? The Seminoles, with just one win, are ranked at the bottom of the standings, just above ACC newcomer Cal.
ACC Network analyst Eric Mac Lain highlighted how having five teams in the rankings shows the depth of the conference and the respect it has earned.
Despite the early attention on FSU and Clemson, there is also growing interest in what Miami can accomplish with their quarterback, Ward. He joined the team after impressive seasons at Washington State, where he threw for 6,963 yards and 48 touchdowns. Ward is now considered the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy.
“It’s great to see a team like Miami, which we all talked about during the offseason, and the kind of run they could make,” said the coach. “When you look at who they’ve added and the big-time coach coming back home, with high expectations, it’s amazing to see them meet those expectations.”
Meanwhile, the two teams tied for first place are focused on staying healthy and keeping their high-scoring offenses going, led by powerful quarterbacks.
Ward has led college football’s top offense, with 556.9 yards and 47.4 points per game. The senior has completed 67% of his passes, throwing for 29 touchdowns, which is the most in the nation, and 3,146 yards, which ranks second.
He set a school record with seven straight 300-yard passing games to start the season and has eight total, including a 400-yard game with five touchdowns in last week’s 53-31 win over Duke. Miami’s defense has been strong, too, ranked 19th in the country, allowing 310.7 yards per game, helping them get off to their best start since 2017 when they were 10-0.
Miami coach Cristobal said cornerback Jadais Richard will be out due to a significant injury but remains encouraged by the team’s hard work and focus.
“We’ve understood the blessing and the importance of focusing on being 1-0 and nothing else,” he said. “Nothing else matters behind us or beyond the current opportunity. … We still have a long ways to go.”
SMU also has a talented quarterback in sophomore Kevin Jennings, who has thrown for 1,900 of his 2,217 yards, with 20 touchdowns and just five interceptions.
The Mustangs, ranked seventh in the country with 40.1 points per game and 23rd with 446.1 yards per game, have won six straight since Jennings became the starting quarterback following a 18-15 loss to No. 9 BYU in September.
SMU has been strong on both sides of the ball, allowing just 90 rushing yards per game, the best in the ACC, while also boasting the league’s fourth-ranked defense, allowing 341.0 yards per game.
While it’s exciting to think about a possible matchup between Miami and SMU in the final weeks of the season, a showdown in the championship next month in Charlotte, North Carolina, seems just as promising.
Clemson could still play a role in the championship race if one of these teams loses, and SMU coach Lashlee points out that this keeps his team focused.
“We’re not done,” Lashlee said. “We’ve not accomplished anything yet, but we’ve put ourselves in position that in the middle of November, we’re competing for a conference championship in our first year in the league. I think our players and staff deserve a lot of credit for that.”
