Our best argument is the 93 FSU NC screw job and the fact that we will be only one of two teams on a ten game winning streak. Add to that double digit wins in all cases. We haven’t been really tested except for a moment against usc. Double digit points have also been routinely left on the field as well. Add to which we haven’t played our second and third stringers for over a quarter is several games while Miami has been passing long with starters to the bitter end gunning for style points. Hope we have an advocate on the committee as eloquent about this as I am!
Our best argument? Pick any of the following:
- Notre Dame’s losses came the first two weeks of the season and Notre Dame has looked dominant since. Miami’s losses were more recent and, in general, they’ve struggled more than we have to pull away from their opponents.
- Miami lost to two 2 unranked teams, where Notre Dame lost to two top 15 teams.
- Notre Dame would be favored against Miami, as well as Alabama, Oklahoma, etc. The guys who know these teams the best (Vegas modelers) know we are a top-5 team.
- Conference champions typically aren’t punished so BYU should stay in between Notre Dame and Miami if they lose.
- ND has been above Miami in every CFP poll this season, including the most recent, and no additional knowledge will be gained this season that would suddenly put Miami above ND.
- Miami’s H2H over Notre Dame has already been taken into account. It’s one of the main reason why they’re in a position to make playoffs.
- So ND > BYU > Miami, but if BYU drops out, then suddenly Miami > ND? That’s not how it works. It directly contradicts the first.
- H2H is often used as a tiebreaker, but even if BYU slides down and you have 10 ND, 11 Miami… that doesn’t necessarily mean their valuation is a tie.
I feel like I’m taking crazy pills. Miami’s argument often boils down to “Hurr durr but we won the game!” and trivial 4-7 pt differences in margin of victory because they don’t have much else to hang their hat on when compared to us.
Yes. Direct H2H wins matter. Theirs has been considered and it’s boosted them significantly. But it’s not the
only thing.
That said, I can’t trust the committee to get this right. Hopefully they do.