Miami AD blasts College Football Playoff committee after Hurricanes snub | Sporting News

Miami Hurricanes fans are reeling after Tuesday night’s release of the final College Football Playoff rankings. While many expected Miami to be left out following their Week 14 loss to Syracuse, there was still some hope that their 10-2 record would be enough to secure a spot in the 12-team playoff.

That hope was dashed when the Hurricanes were ranked No. 12, making them the first team out. Meanwhile, Alabama claimed the No. 11 spot, securing the final playoff berth.

Unsurprisingly, the decision has not sat well with Miami supporters, including University of Miami athletic director Dan Radakovich. Shortly after the rankings were announced, Radakovich took to social media to voice his frustration.

“Really ?? …,” Radakovich wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “What put Bama over the top of Miami for the last spot in is that Miami went 1-2 in their last 3 games (by an average of 4.5 pts, to a ranked Syracuse and GT team that just took UGA to 8OT). Bama went 2-1 (to 5-7 Auburn, destroyed by OU, and beat FCS Mercer).”

Really ?? ….what put Bama over the top of Miami for the last spot in is that Miami went 1-2 in their last 3 games (by an average of 4.5 pts, to a ranked Syracuse and GT team that just took UGA to 8OT). Bama went 2-1 (to 5-7 Auburn, destroyed by OU, and beat FCS Mercer)

— Dan Radakovich (@DanRadakovich) December 4, 2024

Radakovich, along with head coach Mario Cristobal, was brought in three years ago to revive Miami’s storied football program. This season appeared to be a breakthrough, with the Hurricanes finishing 10-2 behind the nation’s No. 1 offense, led by Heisman Trophy contender Cam Ward.

For a program that seemed poised to return to national prominence, being left out of the playoff is a bitter pill to swallow. The Hurricanes showed flashes of greatness throughout the season, but their losses to Georgia Tech and Syracuse ultimately left them vulnerable to the CFP committee’s judgment.

What started as a season filled with promise and high expectations has ended in familiar disappointment for Miami fans. Despite the progress made this year, the frustration of falling short serves as a reminder of the challenges still facing “The U” on its road back to the top.