Projecting the CFP top 12 after Week 6: Canes clearly No. 1

Following his 2nd touchdown of the night, Miami receiver C.J. Daniels looked straight into the ESPN camera and sang the FSU warchant.

The U isn't conscionable backmost -- truthful is its swagger.

Miami owns the authorities of Florida, knocking down South Florida, Florida and Florida State, further cementing its lawsuit for the apical squad successful the country. Penn State's stunning nonaccomplishment astatine UCLA doesn't assistance Oregon. Texas losing successful The Swamp doesn't assistance Ohio State.

Miami earning its archetypal roadworthy triumph -- against an FSU squad that bushed a now-surging Alabama -- helped the Canes further legitimize what could beryllium their archetypal No. 1 ranking successful the CFP era. The 13-member enactment committee doesn't merchandise its archetypal ranking until Nov. 4, but this is the latest projection of what the group's apical 12 would look similar if it were released today.

Jump to:
Ranking | Bracket

Projecting the apical 12

1. Miami Hurricanes (5-0)

Why they could beryllium here: The Canes person the champion operation of oculus trial and résumé, with wins against Notre Dame, South Florida, Florida and present Florida State. The Canes earned their archetypal roadworthy triumph of the season, and they did it against their in-state rival, officially claiming the unofficial authorities title. Miami besides entered Week 6 ranked No. 10 successful the state successful full efficiency, and No. 4 successful ESPN's Strength of Record metric. The Canes are checking each of the boxes for the committee's No. 1 team, including prima powerfulness with backmost Carson Beck and antiaircraft lineman Rueben Bain Jr.

Why they could beryllium lower: Undefeated Ohio State won astatine Minnesota, but it's hard to ideate the committee giving the Buckeyes the motion for the apical spot fixed Miami's résumé -- unless they genuinely believed Ohio State is much talented.

Need to know: That was apt Miami's past accidental to impressment the enactment committee against a ranked opponent. It won't substance if the Canes proceed to play similar this. Miami tin clinch a spot successful the playoff if it wins the ACC -- which it's connected way to bash -- but adjacent a runner-up decorativeness should cement a spot.

Toughest remaining game: Nov. 1 astatine SMU. Miami should triumph this crippled -- it's the much talented squad -- but it's not an casual trip. And it volition beryllium the archetypal clip each play that Miami leaves its location state.

2. Ohio State Buckeyes (5-0)

Why they could beryllium here: The season-opening triumph against Texas is bully -- but not large -- aft Texas mislaid astatine Florida connected Saturday. The Buckeyes' spot successful the pecking bid is little astir 1 standout triumph and much astir the dependable consistency expected from a nationalist rubric contender. They've won connected the roadworthy against a decent Washington squad that conscionable rallied for a roadworthy triumph astatine Maryland, and astatine location against Texas and Minnesota. The committee doesn't conscionable look for wins against apical 25 teams; they besides worth wins against opponents implicit .500, and Ohio State present has 3 Power 4 wins against specified teams.

Why they could beryllium higher: Miami hasn't near its location authorities yet, and Ohio State entered this week No. 3 successful the state successful antiaircraft efficiency, No. 12 successful violative efficiency, and No. 3 wide -- up of the Canes successful each category.

Need to know: Saturday's crippled astatine Illinois abruptly looks much daunting than the Nov. 1 location crippled against Penn State. The world is that Ohio State should triumph both, but Illinois is coming disconnected back-to-back Big Ten wins against USC and Purdue, portion the Nittany Lions were stunned astatine UCL...