ESPN's Stephen A. Smith explains how Cam Ward gives the Miami Hurricanes a built-in advantage with the playoff committee
The Miami Hurricanes found out where they stand as the jockeying for entry into the College Football Playoff plays out over the next month. The Canes checked in at #4 in the rankings and as the #3 seed in the bracket as the projected ACC champion. It's a reasonable spot for Miami, given they're the […]
The Miami Hurricanes found out where they stand as the jockeying for entry into the College Football Playoff plays out over the next month. The Canes checked in at #4 in the rankings and as the #3 seed in the bracket as the projected ACC champion.
It's a reasonable spot for Miami, given they're the ACC's only undefeated team. However, Chris Russo didn't think so, dogging the committee for putting Miami as high as they are (which is silly, since they'd have to be at least the 3 or 4 seed as a conference champion).
Stephen A. Smith disagreed with Russo about the Canes, and he had a specific reason why: Cam Ward and the Miami offense.
"I don't have a problem with Miami ranked in the top five because they're undefeated," Smith said. "I'm going to give respect where respect is due, and they've got one of the most prolific offenses in the nation. So when you're putting up points, ok, and you've got a Heisman candidate, which they have in their quarterback, I'm going to pay attention to that and say Miami is justified being a top five team."
Miami's offense, which leads the nation in points per game (47.4) and yards (5012), has been good enough to bail out a defense that's fallen on its face too often this season. After lackluster performances against Virginia Tech, Cal, and Duke in the first halves, particularly on defense, Miami's offense has been electric and done enough to carry it to victory. It's a good enough unit to put points on the board against the top teams in the country and make the Canes competitive against anyone.
And let's face it, the committee will want to put in teams that are an exciting brand of television, even if they won't admit that publicly. Putting aside the fact that Miami is a brand that causes people to tune in, the Canes have been wrapped up in big plays and exciting finishes multiple times this season. They've been appointment television for those who like an exciting brand of football. People want to watch greatness play, and that's what Ward has been this year. That's what Ward and Miami bring to the table for the committee and the television executives (and don't tell me those things don't matter; they do).
If Miami wins out, they're obviously in as the ACC champion with a first-round bye. But if Miami stumbles in the ACC title game, then what Smith said carries weight: "I'm going to pay attention to that". And if the Canes had a chance to play against Texas, Notre Dame, or Alabama, I bet a whole lot of the country would too.
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