Miami Hurricanes rooting guide for November 2: Canes could get some help on Saturday from a rival they defeated

The Miami Hurricanes and Duke Blue Devils get underway at noon on Saturday from Hard Rock Stadium.  The game will be broadcast nationally on ABC and will surely have the attention of Miami fans around the country.  However, there are still plenty of other games going on around the country that could have an effect […]

Craig Smith — College Football & NFL Trending News Writer
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Miami Hurricanes running back Mark Fletcher Jr. (4) celebrates after goes up and over for a touchdown during the season opener at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, August 31, 2024 against the University of Miami Hurricanes in the second half.
Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Miami Hurricanes and Duke Blue Devils get underway at noon on Saturday from Hard Rock Stadium.  The game will be broadcast nationally on ABC and will surely have the attention of Miami fans around the country. 

However, there are still plenty of other games going on around the country that could have an effect on where Miami ultimately ends up in the final College Football Playoff rankings. Some Miami fans might say "just win, and that will take care of itself", but sometimes things play out where you might need (or have needed earlier in the season) some help in order to get into the playoff.  

Accordingly, here's a list of games with playoff implications and who to root for from Miami's perspective: 

  • Penn State vs. Ohio State: It's pretty easy to go with Penn State here over Ohio State, which is probably a natural instinct for most Canes fans anyways.  A potential nightmare scenario for Miami – should the Canes not win the ACC – would be a handful of 1-loss Big Ten teams, and Penn State and Ohio State could be headed that way if the Buckeyes win on Saturday. 
  • Oregon-Michigan: This one's pretty easy, as Oregon needs to pick up loss #1 to potentially get loss #2 in the Big Ten title game. Unlikely, but possible. 
  • Indiana-Michigan State: See Penn State writeup above. Canes fans should be saying "go Spartans". 
  • Louisville-Clemson: Miami needs that Louisville win to add some shine while knocking down the Tigers.  Cardinals. 
  • Pittsburgh-SMU: All Pitt here.  SMU's schedule after this is pretty favorable, so a win over the Panthers could lead to an undefeated ACC slate for Rhett Lashlee's team.  Pitt also has a prime chance at a loss against Clemson after this matchup. 
  • Texas A&M-South Carolina: An SEC team getting loss #2 would be helpful for any at-large competition for Miami. Pretty much the same argument as the 1-loss Big Ten competitors mentioned above. Miami fans should be rooting for the Gamecocks on Saturday.
  • Kentucky-Tennessee: Same concept as above.  The 7th-ranked Vols have Georgia left but are good enough to beat anyone when they're on and cab still finish 11-1. 
  • Florida-Georgia: It's not easy for Miami fans to pull for the Gators, but it would help bump up Miami's win over Florida as well as deal loss #2 to Georgia.  Unlikely, as Bulldogs are more than a two-touchdown favorite, but would be a win-win for UM.
  • Texas Tech-Iowa State: Both BYU and Iowa State are undefeated and could meet in Big 12 title game.  A 12-1 at large team would be a potential impediment if Miami doesn't win the ACC, so Iowa State and/or BYU tripping up before then would be ideal. Red Raiders on Saturday. 

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