A Heisman Memorial Trophy contender is very frustrated with the College Football Playoff Committee.
Warde Manuel, the CFP’s Selection Committee Chair, explained to the ESPN panel on Tuesday’s the committee’s process on the 12 teams in the latest rankings. A huge conversation was between Alabama, Miami, and South Carolina in terms of where each would stack up. The Crimson Tide earned a spot at No. 11 over Miami (No. 12) and South Carolina (No. 14), putting it in the field of 12 for now. Manuel explained that the Tide’ strength of schedule has it in the field over the Hurricanes and Gamecocks.
ESPN personality details how Alabama would still get into 12-team CFP even with SMU loss
Cam Ward, a starting quarterback for Miami, was heated with the CFP Committee for its decision.
He is one of the top quarterback prospects for next year’s NFL Draft. The former Washington State transfer has 4,123 passing yards and 40 total touchdowns to seven interceptions. He has the Hurricanes at 10-2 with arguably the most explosive offense in college football, averaging 44.2 points per game. Miami’s two losses came to Georgia Tech and No. 23-ranked Syracuse, but both were close defeats. The Hurricanes had a 21-point lead on the Orange; however, it let the lead slip away in a loss to Syracuse.
Ward took a shot at the CFP Committee via the ACC Network. He also ripped the Southeastern Conference because he felt Miami played better defenses in the Atlantic Coast Conference and should be rewarded by how it fared.
“I mean at the end of the day them boys who in that committee, I really doubt they watch tape or not,” Ward said to the ACC Network. “I mean you can’t, I mean, we’re a 10-2 team. Not saying Alabama’s not a good team, which they are, but let’s talk about them points. That’s probably the biggest factor, I believe. We’re playing better defenses, in my opinion, than the SEC. So, it’s just hard. I did what I could. The team, we controlled what we can control. We controlled our own destiny for a lot of the season, and we didn’t end up getting the job done. So, we know it’s all in our hands and it got taken away from us when we lost, so it’s nothing that we can do about it now but just sit there, be patient and just try to get an opportunity to play for another game.”
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Miami’s defense forced 14 interceptions and six fumbles, yet it gave up 30-plus points in five games. If the ‘Canes would have finished off Syracuse, this would not be a conversation. Miami would have been in with a victory on last week, but its loss compound with Alabama’s better record versus top 25 teams (3-1) and teams with a winning mark (6-1) put it over the Hurricanes.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
