Kirk Herbstreit Not Confident In Top-12 Team's Playoff Chances
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ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit isn't so sure a team currently in the College Football Playoff will be there when it begins in December.
Earlier this week, the selection committee unveiled its updated rankings for the CFP. As of now, Ohio State, Indiana, Texas A&M and Georgia are on track to get the first-round byes. Oregon, Ole Miss, Oklahoma and Texas Tech, meanwhile, are projected to host playoff games in the opening round.
Interestingly enough, the CFP selection committee currently has Miami in as the No. 11 seed despite losses to Louisville and SMU.
Herbstreit, however, isn't so sure we'll see the Hurricanes in the CFP. In fact, he thinks their fans should be very concerned heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
"If I were a Miami fan, I’d be concerned," Herbstreit said, via On3. "Notre Dame is sitting there at No. 9. They’ve got Syracuse and Stanford. Assuming they win both of those games convincingly — we’re still going to be saying they’re not playing anybody, but they’re going to win 49-10. What could you do if you’re on that committee to say, ‘We got to move Notre Dame back?’ Or what can Miami do to say, ‘We got to get Miami up?’ If they won the ACC — they get into the ACC championship, that might be another (way). But right now, they’re on the outside looking in there. It’s frustrating, I know. I get it. This is where you wish there was 14 teams or 14 teams. I’ve done about two or three Miami games. I like Miami."
Miami's CFP outlook.
If Miami wants any chance at making the CFP, it needs to take care of business against Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh over the next two weeks. However, that might not be enough to make the 12-team playoff field.
What Miami truly needs is for Georgia Tech and SMU to slip up in the standings. That would open the door for the Hurricanes to make the ACC Championship Game.
Do you think Miami will make it to the dance?
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Nov 22, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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