The “case” for putting Notre Dame over Miami (metrics, bad losses, the so-called eye test) puts Miami over Alabama in direct comparison. No matter what criteria apply, Miami should be in. It is clear as day to everyone outside that conference room.
Last season, there were 7 head-to-head results among Top 25 teams who finished with the same record.
✅ (10-2) #5 Georgia ranked ahead of (10-2) #7 Tennessee
✅ (9-3) #11 Alabama ranked ahead of (9-3) #14 South Carolina
✅ (9-3) #11 Alabama ranked ahead of (9-3) #19 Missouri
✅ (9-3) #13 Ole Miss ranked ahead of (9-3) #14 South Carolina
✅ (9-3) #14 South Carolina ranked ahead of (9-3) #17 Clemson
✅ (9-3) #14 South Carolina ranked ahead of (9-3) #19 Missouri
✅ (10-2) #15 Arizona State ranked ahead of (10-2) #18 BYU
This season, as of right now, there are 6 head-to-head results between Top 25 teams with a same record.
✅ (10-1) #4 Georgia ranked ahead of (10-1) #7 Ole Miss
✅ (10-1) #5 Texas Tech ranked ahead of (10-1) #11 BYU
✅ (9-2) #8 Oklahoma ranked ahead of (9-2) #10 Alabama
✅ (9-2) #8 Oklahoma ranked ahead of (9-2) #15 Michigan
✅ (9-2) #10 Alabama ranked ahead of (9-2) #14 Vanderbilt
❌ (9-2) #12 Miami ranked 3 spots behind (9-2) #9 Notre Dame
If Miami beats Pitt and doesn’t jump Notre Dame, there’s simply an agenda to deliberately keep the Canes out.