Miami #7 in AP Poll, #6 in Coaches Poll: Are We Being Disrespected?

After a convincing, dominating win against the then ranked #13/13 Virginia Tech Hokies, Miami Slotted in at #7/6 in this week’s polls. Many in our fanbase feel disrespected by the polls, Miami sits behind three one-loss teams in the AP Poll, and two one-loss teams in the Coaches Poll. Let’s look at Miami compared to each of them:

But first, a look at Miami’s own résumé:

Miami has had a turbulent season, but has handled all the challenges to improve to an 8-0 record, and Top 10 ranking.

In the eyes of many in the 305 the Top 10 is still too low for the Canes’, Miami is behind one-loss teams, and has been for weeks. The Canes’ have more FPI Top 50 wins than anyone not named Clemson, and UM also boasts the #2 SOR in the nation.

In addition, Miami ranks in the Top 15 in several defensive categories; #12 in Scoring Defense, #4 in Turnover Margin, #1 in Tackles For Loss per game, #5 in Sacks per game, #13 in Passing Yards per Completion, and #7 in Interceptions.

However, the Canes had struggled to pass the “eye test” until Saturday night, as for four consecutive weeks Miami had won by 8 points or less, including a near disaster against 1-8 UNC.

28-10 at The Rock was a statement, but it appears that Miami will have to make another one this weekend, despite their record.

The Fighting Irish are deservedly above the Hurricanes heading into this week’s primetime matchup, UND’s only loss is to #2 (#1 in the Playoff Poll) Georgia, and the Irish have convincing blowout wins over #15/14 USC, #13/16 Michigan State, and NR/#24 NC State. In addition the Irish have dispensed every other opponent they’ve faced with ease, with the exception of a slight stumble against Wake Forest.

Notre Dame has earned the right to be a Top 5 team, but they face a determined, angry, Miami team and fanbase this weekend. Miami is deservedly behind the Irish for now, but they can settle it on the field at 8pm this Saturday.

In my eyes, Miami has an argument to be ahead of Clemson. While Clemson boasts more FPI Top 50 wins than anyone else, they also posses a loss to Syracuse, a team Miami has since beaten.

Clemson also shared an opponent with Miami, Virginia Tech, whom they beat 31-17, Miami since beat the same opponent, 28-10, a larger margin of victory.

Miami also has a higher SOR than Clemson, and nearly the same amount of Top 50 wins (as previously stated), in my honest opinion Miami should be nearly even with Clemson in the eyes of poll voters.

Once again Miami will probably get a shot at this opponent later in the season. Clemson, barring a disaster against FSU, would be the ACC Atlantic Representative in the ACC Championship Game. Miami, needing only a win in Coastal play, or a UVA loss in coastal play, would be the Coastal Division representative in the ACC Championship Game. So it is likely that Miami will have a chance to line up against yet another team ahead of them in the polls.

Oklahoma is the hardest team to get a handle on here. Miami shares no opponents with Oklahoma, the two will almost certainly not play each other.

Oklahoma is also a bizarre team, Heisman frontrunner Baker Mayfield leads possibly the nation’s best offense, but is backed up by one of the worst, if not the worst Power 5 defense in the NCAA.

However, like Miami, the Sooners find ways to pull out wins, and posses one of the best out of conference wins of the season, a victory against Ohio State in Columbus.

As a result Oklahoma has remained ahead of the Canes throughout the last couple weeks, and the Sooners have a big opportunity to add another trademark win to their season this weekend, as they take on #8/9 TCU.

While Miami stayed behind Oklahoma in the AP Poll, they remain ahead of them in the Coaches Poll, and look for Miami to possibly pass Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff Poll tomorrow.

So what do you all think, is Miami too highly ranked, ranked too low? Are the Canes right where they should be? Tell us in the poll and comments below.