No. 12 Miami bolsters CFP case with blowout win at No. 22 Pittsburgh

The No. 12 Miami Hurricanes gave the College Football Playoff selection committee something to think about.

On Saturday, the Hurricanes (10-2, 6-2 in ACC) convincingly won on the road at No. 22 Pittsburgh (8-4, 6-2 in ACC), 38-7, potentially their final statement before the CFP decision-makers settle on this year's 12-team field on Sunday, Dec. 7.

Miami passes eye test in pursuit of at-large CFP bid

Miami has been one of the biggest lightning rods for controversy this season, with supporters particularly upset over the team's placement below No. 9 Notre Dame (9-2), which it defeated at home in Week 1, 27-24.

But the Irish have comfortably been one of the 10 best teams in the country during the 12 weeks since, whereas losses to Louisville (8-4, 4-4 in ACC) and No. 21 SMU (8-3, 6-1 in ACC) have raised doubt about where the Hurricanes stand in the FBS hierarchy.

The resounding win over Pitt, which entered Saturday with a chance of clinching a spot in the ACC title game, may have been enough for Miami to reaffirm that it belongs in the CFP field.

The Hurricanes are elite at the line of scrimmage on defense and can create problems for any team in the country. Against Pitt, Miami had four sacks, led by 2026 NFL Draft prospect Rueben Bain Jr., who finished with 1.5 sacks.

The biggest question mark for Miami is its offense, and quarterback Carson Beck played with the poise of a fifth-year senior with prior CFP experience in the frigid, 36 degrees weather, going 23-of-29 for 267 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Running back Girard Pringle Jr. gained 82 yards on 10 carries, while wideout Malachi Toney was a difference-maker in the pass game, hauling in 13 of 16 targets for 126 yards and a touchdown.

It was the type of performance that bodes well for a potential road game in the first round of the playoffs, Miami's most likely fate should it qualify for the 12-team field. 

The Canes have an outside shot of getting in via the ACC's automatic bid, but that would require either No. 18 Virginia (9-2, 6-1 in ACC) to lose to Virginia Tech (3-8, 2-5 in ACC) or SMU losing at California (6-5, 3-4 in ACC). Miami knew ahead of Saturday's game that its best chance of reaching the playoff was by impressing the selection committee. Mission accomplished. The only question is if the Hurricanes were convincing enough.