Miami Hurricanes athletics director Dan Radakovich recently suggested that the College Football Playoff (CFP) selection committee reconsider its approach to releasing rankings during the week of conference championship games. Speaking with ESPN at a Pop-Tarts Bowl media event ahead of Miami’s matchup with Iowa State, Radakovich expressed concerns over the impact of the Dec. 3 rankings, which placed Miami (10-2) behind Alabama (9-3) at No. 12, effectively leaving the Hurricanes out of serious playoff contention. This decision, he said, created unnecessary strain on players, particularly after committee chair Warde Manuel stated that teams not participating in conference championships were “locked in” and would not be reevaluated.
Radakovich described the situation as particularly difficult for both Miami and Alabama players, as well as for other teams navigating similar circumstances. “It was a really tough four or five days,” Radakovich said, adding that teams like SMU faced an uncertain position in the rankings despite their efforts in competitive games. Drawing parallels to the NCAA basketball tournament, Radakovich explained that the lack of clarity regarding teams’ final standings created unnecessary tension and speculation. “Sometimes, it’s just better to leave things unknown until the final announcement,” he added.
Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, the CFP’s executive director, countered these concerns during a recent Sports Business Journal Intercollegiate Athletics Forum panel in Las Vegas. Clark argued that the six-week ranking system is beneficial for college football, aligning with committee chair Warde Manuel’s comments that the rankings provide fans with valuable insight into how the committee views teams as the season progresses.
“It’s good for the game,” Manuel said, highlighting that rankings from the eighth week onward serve as a useful barometer for teams and fans alike. However, Radakovich, who previously served on the inaugural CFP selection committee in 2014 during his tenure as Clemson’s athletic director, remains unconvinced. He proposed a modified rankings schedule, suggesting that the penultimate rankings release—the one preceding conference championship week—be omitted altogether.
“They could release a ranking before Thanksgiving and then allow that to stand until the championship games are complete,” Radakovich explained. Under his proposal, the CFP selection committee would only convene to determine the final rankings after all championship games have concluded. “When teams aren’t playing, they’re essentially stuck in place. Meanwhile, other teams competing in meaningful games might improve their resumes by strengthening their schedules or earning critical wins,” he said. “Leaving that week out of the rankings process would help ensure fairness as the season wraps up.”
Radakovich also pointed out the unusual nature of Warde Manuel’s comment that teams were “locked in” after the second-to-last rankings release. “If that’s truly the committee’s stance, then it only reinforces the argument to skip the penultimate rankings altogether,” Radakovich said.
Ultimately, Miami finished at No. 13 in the final CFP rankings, behind Alabama and Big 12 champion Arizona State. Despite the frustration of narrowly missing a higher spot, the Hurricanes have an opportunity to close out their season on a high note when they face Iowa State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl on December 28 in Orlando, Florida. A victory would give Miami 11 wins—a milestone the program has not achieved since 2003.
Beyond the rankings debate, Radakovich voiced support for expanding the College Football Playoff to 16 teams. While the CFP is already set to expand to 12 teams in the near future, Radakovich believes a 16-team format would further improve the postseason structure and create more opportunities for deserving programs. “We need to keep having these discussions,” he said, adding that he and ACC commissioner Jim Phillips are exploring ways to enhance the competitiveness and scheduling within the conference.
One of the topics under consideration is whether the ACC should continue operating without divisions. The 2023 season marked the first year the ACC abandoned its traditional divisional structure, a move designed to ensure the two best teams, regardless of division, meet in the conference championship game. Radakovich acknowledged the need to evaluate the impact of this change. “Is it the right decision for the conference? Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t. But it’s important that we consider all options,” he said. “At the end of the day, marquee matchups between strong brands are what drive interest in the sport. We can’t afford to remain static. We have to keep finding ways to improve.”
ACC commissioner Jim Phillips added that one of the key considerations regarding the divisional structure is how the CFP selection committee values conference championship games moving forward. Phillips noted that SMU (11-2) was able to secure a playoff spot despite losing to Clemson in the ACC title game, raising questions about how the committee weighs championship game performances against a team’s overall body of work.
“We only have one year of data to analyze, but this is something we need to monitor closely,” Phillips said. “How will the committee approach this in the future? Will playing in a conference championship game provide a team with added security, or could it penalize them for a loss? These are questions we need answered.” Phillips emphasized the importance of hearing from the CFP committee once the season concludes to better understand the rationale behind their decisions.
Despite the disappointment of missing out on a higher CFP ranking, Radakovich remains optimistic about Miami’s upcoming bowl game. He emphasized that the Hurricanes still have much to play for, including achieving their first 11-win season in two decades. Miami’s players, including quarterback Cam Ward, who finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting, have expressed their determination to finish the season strong.
“We spoke with the leadership council, and the players made it clear they want to play and finish what they started,” Radakovich said. “There’s still a lot on the line. That 11th win would mean a lot for this program and for these players. They’re disappointed we didn’t get a shot at the ACC championship, but this is an opportunity to end the year on a high note.”
For Radakovich, the Pop-Tarts Bowl represents more than just a chance for Miami to win another game—it’s an opportunity to demonstrate resilience and growth. While questions linger about the CFP rankings process and the structure of the ACC, the Hurricanes remain focused on the task at hand: defeating Iowa State and proving their place among college football’s top programs.
Looking ahead, Radakovich believes that conversations about improving the CFP and conference scheduling will only become more pressing as the sport continues to evolve. “The landscape of college football is changing, and we need to adapt,” he said. “Whether it’s expanding the playoff, adjusting the rankings schedule, or reevaluating our conference structure, these are all important steps to ensure we’re moving in the right direction.”
For now, Miami’s focus remains on finishing strong and setting the stage for an even brighter future. With key leadership, a determined roster, and a commitment to growth, the Hurricanes are poised to take another step forward as they prepare for their final game of the season.
