Sports · American Football · 3 hrs ago
Miami leads a wide-open College Football Playoff race at midseason
Miami has emerged as the leading College Football Playoff contender at the midpoint of the 2026 season, after several weeks of changes at the top of the rankings.
The Hurricanes are 6-0, and one projection gives them a 94.8% chance of reaching the playoff.
Georgia and Notre Dame remain strong contenders despite each having lost once, while unbeaten BYU has moved into the spotlight after beating Notre Dame.
The race is unsettled: the AP poll and playoff projections have each had three different No.
1 teams in as many weeks.
Miami’s November 7 game at Notre Dame could strengthen its position, though Miami can still reach the playoff by winning the ACC.
A loss in the ACC title game could put Miami’s playoff chances at risk if it finishes as a two-loss runner-up.
Teams’ remaining games will shape the playoff picture as the season continues.
Miami is the leading team in ESPN’s midseason College Football Playoff projection, but the race has no clear-cut favorite.
ESPN Analytics gives Miami a 94.8% chance of reaching the playoff.
Miami is 6-0 and one of six unbeaten teams, according to CBS Sports.
Georgia and Notre Dame each have one loss, while BYU is 6-0.
Miami’s Nov. 7 game at Notre Dame is a major test, though ESPN says Miami can afford to lose it if it wins the ACC.
- Who
- Miami and other teams competing for College Football Playoff places, including Georgia, Notre Dame and BYU.
- What
- Miami leads midseason playoff projections in a wide-open race.
- When
- At the midpoint of the 2026 season.
- Where
- Across college football’s Power 4 conferences and the Group of 6.
- Why
- Several leading teams have lost, and no clear-cut favorite has emerged.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Miami beat Wake Forest, a result ESPN says could help Miami’s playoff résumé if Wake reaches the ACC championship game.
Miami moved to the top of ESPN’s playoff projection after Georgia and Notre Dame lost.
Miami is scheduled to play at Notre Dame.
- Miami record
- 6-0
- Miami playoff chance
- 94.8%, according to ESPN Analytics
- Miami scoring offense
- 48.5 points per game, ranked No. 1
- Miami scoring defense
- 14 points per game, ranked No. 7
- BYU record
- 6-0
- Notre Dame game
- Nov. 7 at Notre Dame