Pat Narduzzi takes stance in Miami vs. Notre Dame debate for College Football Playoff

As the final College Football Playoff rankings reveal show approaches, one of the biggest debates centers around Notre Dame and Miami. The two teams played each other in the regular season but are squarely on the bubble heading into conference championship weekend, though neither will play Saturday.

Both the Hurricanes and Fighting Irish played Pitt, though. Speaking with On3’s Brett McMurphy, Panthers coach Pat Narduzzi took a stance in the debate.

Pitt lost to Miami 38-7 to end the regular season, just two games after falling to Notre Dame 37-15. Narduzzi pointed out both teams present strong matchups, but the Hurricanes’ physicality and ability to make it through the “grind” of the ACC proved they can handle the task of playing for a national title.

“They’re both tough & imposing, but Miami is powerful up front & plays a really physical brand of football,” Narduzzi told McMurphy. “The real edge, though, is what they’ve shown week in & week out in ACC play. It’s a grind in this league. Miami has proven they can handle that & still play at a championship level.”

Inside Miami, Notre Dame’s resumes

Notre Dame ranked No. 10 in the latest rankings, making the Irish the last team in the projected 12-team bracket after they fell one spot behind Alabama. The Crimson Tide took down Auburn in the Iron Bowl in Week 14 to punch their ticket to the SEC Championship, and CFP selection committee chairman Hunter Yurachek said that game helped push them up past Notre Dame in the rankings.

Miami, meanwhile, sits at No. 12 heading into championship week. The Hurricanes are the highest-ranked ACC team, but did not make the conference title game due to the tiebreakers. That means either Virginia or Duke would be in line to represent the ACC in the College Football Playoff if they are ranked high enough to make the field. Remember, the five highest-ranked conference champions make the cut – not necessarily the four Power Four conferences and one Group of 6 league.

Of course, Miami defeated Notre Dame in Week 1 during the regular season, giving the Hurricanes the head-to-head advantage. Miami also played the No. 44-ranked strength of schedule this year, according to ESPN’s FPI, and had its strength of record ranked No. 14. Notre Dame, meanwhile, played the No. 42 strength of schedule and had the No. 13 strength of record.

Mario Cristobal: ‘We are playing our best football’

As he assessed his team’s chances of making the 12-team field, Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal pointed out the head-to-head result to prove Miami should make the cut. He added the ‘Canes also had common opponents to help back up their argument.

“The most important thing in all of sports – head to head determines a winner or loser,” Cristobal said. “Miami did a great job of game control in settling that on the field. I can rattle off so many statistics. When you look at what we did that game holding a Heisman candidate to 30 yards, having such a dominant performance up front.

“Common opponents where we were more convincing in three of the four common opponents. … We are playing our best football, have been the last month, margin of victory 28 points.”