As the 2025 college football regular season winds down, the final College Football Playoff spot may come down to a contentious debate between Notre Dame and Miami.
Both teams enter Week 14 with matching 9-2 records, but the Selection Committee faces the task of weighing a head-to-head result that came all the way back in August against resumes that have evolved dramatically since.
Notre Dame’s case is rooted in consistency. The Irish have not lost since Week 2, when they fell to Miami and Texas A&M. Both are currently top-15 programs. Since then, Notre Dame has rattled off nine straight wins, including ranked victories at Pittsburgh and at home against USC. Their No. 9 ranking in last week’s CFP update reflected that momentum.
Miami, which beat Notre Dame 31-27 in late August, holds the most important tiebreaker imaginable. But the Hurricanes’ profile is complicated by losses to Louisville and SMU, results that pushed them down to No. 13 in the latest rankings. That disparity has fueled a debate stretching from committee members to television analysts.
CFP chairman Hunter Yurachek pointed to Miami’s “damaging losses” as the key factor between the teams.
“I think when you look at Notre Dame and Miami, we really compare the losses of those two teams.”
— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) November 19, 2025
NOTRE DAME LOST TO MIAMI. Pic.twitter.com/St8C5R6Sn4
"I think when you look at Notre Dame and Miami, we really compare the losses of those two teams," he told Rece Davis after the rankings release last Tuesday. "Miami has lost to two unranked teams; Notre Dame has lost to two teams that are ranked in our top 13.
"And so, we really haven't compared those two teams, they haven't been in similar, comparative pools to date. But Miami is creeping up into that range where they will be compared to Notre Dame if something happens above them."
ESPN analyst Joey Galloway agreed that view Sunday night, saying Notre Dame “has looked like the better football team since that loss,” adding that the Irish currently pass the eye test.
With both teams seeking a 10th win, the final playoff argument may be just beginning. However, Miami is still fighting for an ACC title spot with Notre Dame out of playing an extra game. Everything will matter in the final weeks.
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