Canes rise to No. 2

The College Football Playoff committee is showing respect to the undefeated Hurricanes.

Miami (10-0, 7-0 ACC) moved up to No. 2, matching its spot in the AP and coaches polls. It flipped places with Clemson (10-1, 7-1), which checked in at No. 3.

Those two teams meet in the ACC Championship Game on Dec. 2, with the winner a sure bet to make the playoffs.

Being ahead now boosts the Canes’ résumé, regardless of the result in Charlotte, N.C.

“If Clemson’s at No. 3,” ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit said after the rankings were revealed, “if (Miami loses) a close game and they’re at No. 2, it’s very hard to imagine them dropping from 2 to 5,”

Selection committee chair and Texas Tech Athletics Director Kirby Hocutt, formerly with Miami, said the committee sees “characteristics of a championship team with Miami.”

He said UM came back from two 14-point deficits against Virginia to win in “an impressive manner,” and posted “two impressive games” against Notre Dame and Virginia Tech before that. Miami “really strengthened their résumé in the past three weeks,” he said.

Hocutt recognized Miami fans’ complaints: the Hurricanes beat a team (Syracuse) that Clemson lost to. That team is now 4-7, making the Tigers’ loss look worse. Another team Clemson beat, North Carolina State, lost to Wake Forest to fall to 7-4.

“There is narrow separation,” Hocutt said, between the No. 1 and No. 5 teams.

Alabama (11-0, 7-0 SEC) remained at No. 1. Oklahoma (10-1, 7-1 Big 12) was No. 4.

Wisconsin (11-0) and Auburn (9-2) were Nos. 5 and 6.