No. 4 Miami faced a setback in its quest for the College Football Playoff and the ACC championship, losing 28-23 to Georgia Tech. This loss complicates the standings as the regular season enters its final three weeks.
Despite having recently escaped other potential upsets against teams like California, Virginia Tech, Louisville, and Duke, Miami fell short against Georgia Tech. They managed to score with six minutes left in the fourth quarter, closing the gap to five points. However, in a dramatic final possession that began under two minutes remaining on the clock, the Hurricanes could not regain the lead. Quarterback Cam Ward was unable to connect on a pass attempt during a critical second down, resulting in a sack that caused a fumble, which was recovered by Georgia Tech.
This defeat marks Georgia Tech’s second consecutive win against Miami in the series. In last year’s match, Miami had a chance to secure a 20-17 victory but fumbled at a crucial moment, allowing the Yellow Jackets to score a game-winning touchdown.
Georgia Tech made a strong showing throughout the game, accumulating 271 rushing yards, effectively keeping Miami’s high-powered offense off the field. Quarterback Cam Ward still had a strong performance with 348 passing yards and three touchdowns, maintaining a consistent record of multiple touchdown games since transferring from Washington State. For Georgia Tech, Haynes King returned to action, contributing 125 yards on offense, with 93 rushing yards and two touchdowns, sharing snaps with freshman Aaron Philo.
While the loss prevents Miami from achieving a 10-0 record for the first time since 2017, they maintain an advantageous position in the ACC with a tiebreaker over Louisville and a favorable comparison to No. 23 Clemson, enhancing their chances for an ACC championship game appearance. With No. 13 SMU as the only unbeaten team in the conference, Miami’s path remains open.
However, this loss raises concerns that an additional defeat could jeopardize their at-large playoff hopes against competitors from stronger conferences like the Big Ten or SEC. Though the Hurricanes have achieved four victories against teams with winning records, they have yet to secure a win against any ranked opponents this season.
Despite the frustration of this loss, Miami still has an opportunity to regroup and focus on the remaining challenges. With a determined roster and strong willpower, the Hurricanes can aim to finish the season strong and keep their championship aspirations alive.