So why did the committee overlook the Canes, who are now ranked sixth in the Coaches Poll and ninth in the AP Poll? It says UM has been "less challenged" than some of the teams ahead of it, which is basically just a really nice way of saying, "You've beaten no one good, and we don't believe you're for real."
But there's good news: This weekend, the Canes will get their first chance to stiff-arm the hatin'-ass committee when they
There will be no more hiding behind the false narrative that the Canes have coasted their way back into college-football relevance. A win over a quality opponent would end that talk. And when that win happens this Saturday night in a primetime game, the entire nation can get a look at the new Canes, who have decidedly changed just about everything since outsiders last checked in on them.
What has most frustrated Hurricanes fans is that Miami hasn't had a cakewalk this season. Ian Hest, a UM grad and sports anchor,
"Miami doesn't even have a win over a Top 25 team"
— (((Ian Hest))) (@IanHest) November 1, 2017
Well...neither does Penn St, Wisconsin, or Washington.
And Bama has 1...vs Florida St
"The committee clearly valued strength of schedule thus far"
— (((Ian Hest))) (@IanHest) October 31, 2017
Strength of schedule this far:
Miami - 35th
Alabama - 70th
Top 10 Strength of Record:
— (((Ian Hest))) (@IanHest) October 29, 2017
1) UGA
2) Miami
3) Clemson
4) Bama
5) Oklahoma
6) Penn St
7) ND
8) OkSt
9) Ohio St
10) TCU
(Wisconsin's 11th)
Scoring avg vs score against #Canes
— (((Ian Hest))) (@IanHest) November 1, 2017
Toledo - 42 vs 30
Duke - 26.6 vs 6
FSU - 17 vs 20
GT - 32.3 vs 24
Cuse - 31.3 vs 19
UNC - 21.6 vs 19
Looks can be deceiving. The idea that the Canes have had an easy path through November is clearly BS, but it's also incorrect to say the Canes have had a lot of trouble with inferior teams. The truth of the matter is, not only should the committee not judge schedules based on brand names (every SEC school is great!), but also they shouldn't scoreboard-watch, because many times the final score doesn't tell the entire story.#Canes by time spent:
— (((Ian Hest))) (@IanHest) November 1, 2017
Leading - 239:40 (57.1%)
Trailing - 110:33 (26.3%)
Tied - 69:47 (16.6%)
What should make anyone rooting for the Hurricanes sleep well at night, though, is this reassuring factoid: If Miami beats Virginia Tech this weekend, prevails against Notre Dame next weekend, and wins the ACC title game, there will be no keeping the Canes out of the dance. They will have punched their ticket in the top four.
Still, it sucks to be disrespected. This weekend, the Hurricanes will make sure that doesn't happen anymore.