EVERY season we have the same decision about college football teams. Sure they are good, but are they actually good? Of course, Alabama doesn’t qualify for this conversation but, every other team this season has looked human at one point or another. Except for one, turnover chain and all.

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AFTER smoking No. 3 ranked Notre Dame on the weekend 41-8, the U demanded a seat at the Playoff table with their ninth straight win of the year. The committee obliged, placing them third in the country in the updated College Playoff rankings trailing only Clemson and the undefeated powerhouse Alabama.

SO just how did Miami get to this point? Well, there were plenty of nervous moments along the way to their triumphant win over the Fighting Irish in Week 11. Facing ‘inferior competition they needed a Darrell Langham TD catch with 6 seconds remaining to beat FSU in Week 6. Then just seven days later they came back from a 24-13 deficit to defeat Georgia Tech 25-24 on a last-second field goal. They continued to survive, but the committee wasn’t rewarding them until they beat someone of worth.

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‘THAT’ match came in Week 10 when they took care of 13th ranked Virginia Tech, by forcing four turnovers and holding the Hokies under 300 yards for just the second time all season. It was the third straight game with four turnovers for the Hurricanes, and, you guessed it, they made life hell for Notre Dame’s offense forcing another four changes of possession and three interceptions. Coming into the game the Fighting Irish only had seven turnovers (four picks) throughout the entire season.

ALMOST more impressive they kept Notre Dame (who were the fourth best rushing team in the FBS averaging over 320 yards a game) to just 109 yards on the ground holding Heisman hopeful Josh Adams to a season-worst 2.5 yards per carry.  The Miami offense is holding up their end of the bargain too and even though they aren’t demanding as many headlines, junior play caller Malik Rosier is proving to be a worthy full-time starter. Rosier took the reigns over for Miami after Brad Kaaya turned pro and with help from a balanced running attack they are doing their role in helping ‘The U’ barrel through the college football landscape.

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TOP ten ranked squads, Penn State, Ohio State, TCU, and previous No. 1 Georgia were all in the playoff mix after Week 9 and have since gone on to lose, denting their chances of making the CFP. In the sport filled with weekly madness, a Miami brain fade seems like just a matter of time. However, they have emerged unscathed from their two toughest tests and have been patient in waiting for their anointment in the top four teams in the nation.

THE Hurricanes currently own the longest winning streak in football, dating back to last year with 14 straight victories. One of four undefeated teams (Alabama, Wisconsin, and UCF) left, until Miami proves otherwise they seem like the real deal and if they survive the next fortnight, a can’t miss ACC Championship game against Clemson will be their final audition for a playoff spot. Led by the turnover chain changing hands multiple times a game, everyone at the U is hype and riding this wave of momentum as far as it will take them.

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