Miami Hurricanes Keep Playoff Hopes Alive with Dominant Win Over Pitt
In a must-win showdown that could determine their postseason fate, the No. 12 Miami Hurricanes delivered a commanding statement against the No. 22 Pittsburgh Panthers. The Hurricanes thoroughly controlled the game from start to finish, cruising to a convincing 38-7 victory on the road and improving to 10-2 overall with a 6-2 conference record. This critical win keeps Miami’s hopes alive for both an ACC championship and a College Football Playoff berth, though their path forward remains complicated by conference standings and the need for help from other teams. The Panthers, despite an impressive 8-3 overall record, now share Miami’s 6-2 conference mark but were completely outclassed in this pivotal late-season matchup.
The victory represents only the first step in Miami’s challenging path to the postseason. Having entered Week 14 sitting sixth in the ACC standings, the Hurricanes need several dominoes to fall their way to reach the conference championship game in Charlotte. Their most direct path requires losses by Virginia (currently first in the standings), SMU (ranked second and who defeated Miami earlier this season), and Duke (5-2 in conference play). Additionally, the Hurricanes must monitor the rivalry game between N.C. State and North Carolina, as its outcome could significantly impact the final standings. Should Miami fail to reach the ACC championship game, their hopes for an at-large CFP bid would hinge on additional upsets, including Auburn defeating No. 10 Alabama in the Iron Bowl and UCF taking down No. 11 BYU.
Miami’s offensive attack proved overwhelming against Pitt’s defense, with quarterback Carson Beck delivering an efficient performance by completing 23 of 29 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns, despite throwing one interception. The Hurricanes showed creativity in their play-calling, with wide receiver Malachi Toney not only leading the team in receiving but also throwing the game’s first touchdown—a nine-yard strike to Elija Lofton in the second quarter. On Miami’s next possession, Toney switched roles and caught a 22-yard touchdown pass from Beck, stretching the lead to 17-7 and beginning to put the game out of reach for the Panthers. CJ Daniels and CharMar Brown each added touchdown receptions, while running back Mark Fletcher Jr. contributed a rushing touchdown to round out the Hurricanes’ scoring attack.
The convincing victory continues to bolster head coach Mario Cristobal’s argument that his team deserves greater respect from the College Football Playoff committee. Cristobal and the Hurricanes have pointed to their season-opening victory over Notre Dame as evidence of their quality, questioning why the Fighting Irish currently hold a higher ranking despite Miami winning their head-to-head matchup. Both teams now sport identical 10-2 records heading into the final weekend of regular season play, with Notre Dame set to face Stanford on Saturday night. This perceived slight has become a rallying point for a Miami program seeking its first ACC championship game appearance since 2017 and its first-ever berth in the College Football Playoff.
The dominant performance against Pitt showcased Miami’s complete team effort, with the defense smothering the Panthers’ offense throughout the contest. After surrendering an early score, the Hurricanes locked down and prevented Pitt from finding any rhythm for the remainder of the game. This defensive mastery, combined with Beck’s surgical passing and the team’s creative offensive schemes, demonstrated why Miami remains a dangerous opponent that could make noise in the postseason if given the opportunity. The balanced attack—featuring multiple players contributing touchdowns—highlighted the Hurricanes’ depth and versatility, qualities that would serve them well in high-stakes playoff scenarios.
As the regular season concludes, Miami finds itself in the uncomfortable position of having handled their own business but now needing to watch scoreboards and hope for favorable outcomes across the conference. The expanded 12-team playoff format does provide additional pathways for quality teams like the Hurricanes, but the logjam atop the ACC standings means nothing is guaranteed. What is clear, however, is that with their convincing win over a ranked Pitt team, Miami has made the strongest case possible for their inclusion in either the conference championship game or the national playoff. The coming days will reveal whether their impressive late-season surge will be rewarded with the postseason opportunities that Cristobal and his team believe they richly deserve.
