The College Football Playoff (CFP) selection committee ranks Notre Dame ahead of Miami primarily due to the quality of their respective losses. While both teams have identical 8-2 records heading into their final regular-season games, Notre Dame's two losses were against teams ranked within the top 13 of the committee's rankings, and were by a combined four points.
In contrast, Miami has lost to two unranked teams, although these losses were to teams either recently ranked or receiving significant votes outside the top 25, and were also by narrow margins. Despite Miami's head-to-head victory over Notre Dame earlier in the season, CFP committee chair Hunter Yurachek emphasized that the comparison between the two teams has not been a significant focus for the committee as they haven't been in directly comparable situations.
He indicated that Miami is entering a range where direct comparisons will become more relevant if teams ranked above them falter. Other polls also place Notre Dame ahead of Miami.
However, based on the current rankings, both teams would qualify for the 12-team playoff if the season concluded today.
