Miami, as the committee's highest-ranked ACC team last week, was eliminated from reaching the league title game after SMU steamrolled Louisville and Duke toppled North Carolina. Now, Pat Narduzzi's Panthers have kickstarted a possible doomsday scenario for a conference that could be excluded from the playoff altogether in two weeks.

Among common opponents, Notre Dame and Miami have both blown out NC State. Miami has already beaten Stanford and Syracuse by large margins. The Hurricanes finish the season against the Pittsburgh team Notre Dame just beat; the Irish get the Orange and Cardinal next. Those common opponents will probably be a wash.

Mario Cristobal wasn't shy after Saturday's win at Virginia Tech in saying that the Hurricanes' win over Notre Dame should matter.

Fans were vocal about the College Football Playoff selection committee's decision to rank Notre Dame above Alabama.

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love (4) runs with the ball on his way to score a touchdown in the first half of a NCAA football game against Syracuse at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025,

CFP chairman Hunter Yurachek explains Miami and Notre Dame comparison, and reveals what shaped the committee’s rankings.

College Football Playoff selection committee chair Hunter Yurachek said Notre Dame is ranked ahead of Miami because of the quality of the teams' losses

It appears everyone has an opinion on the College Football Playoff committee's decision to put Irish ahead of Tide.