On Tuesday evening, the first version of the College Football Playoff rankings were released. These rankings are the ones that matter from here on out, as the teams who play for a National Championship in the College Football Playoff are determined by this set of rankings.

Entering today’s announcement, the Hurricanes were ranked 6th in the Coaches Poll and 9th in the AP Poll. At 7-0, the Canes are 1 of just 5 teams Nationally with an undefeated record to this point of the season (Alabama, Georgia, Wisconsin, and UCF being the other 4 undefeated teams).

As you see above, for their work and currently-undefeated record, the Canes were ranked 10th in the CFP Rankings. Here’s the entire list of teams, in order, according to the CFP:

If you don’t like pictures, the full list of rankings can be found in this piece from SBNation’s main site right here

For Miami, this low ranking comes as no surprise. Miami’s “best” wins are against a Toledo team that is dominating a mid-major conference, on the road against a Duke team that fell into a tailspin after Miami blew them out, a Syracuse team that beat the defending National Champion Clemson Tigers a week before playing Miami, and the corpse of the Florida State Seminoles, who were a tough rivalry game, but the Noles have struggled to a 2-5 record on the year. But, regardless of the opposing team, Miami has been less than dominant this season, but they’re still undefeated, and that is the reason that the Canes are ranked lower than any other P5 undefeated time in these first CFP rankings.

If the lack of top-tier, marquee wins is the thing that has really depressed Miami’s current CFP ranking, the bright side for Miami is that they have time, and a couple HUGE games, in which they can prove their worth to the CFP committee.

Miami’s next 2 games — at home against Virginia Tech and Notre Dame — will go a long way to determining Miami’s championship potential. With the Hokies and the Fighting Irish ranked 13th and 3rd, respectively, in the CFP rankings, Miami can make major waves, and big moves, with wins against these teams in the next 2 weeks.

For Miami, the path to the playoff is clear:

Win.

That path continues on Saturday night vs the Virginia Tech Hokies. 8pm. ABC.

Be there.

Go Canes