Coach Mark Richt’s undefeated Miami Hurricanes moved up to No. 2 in the latest rankings by the College Football Playoff selection committee.
In the only change near the top of this week’s rankings, released Tuesday night, the committee flip-flopped Miami and Clemson.
Miami, ranked No. 3 last week, advanced one spot after a 44-28 win over Virginia. And Clemson, last week’s No. 2, slid one spot despite a 61-3 win over The Citadel.
Miami and Clemson will meet in the ACC Championship game Dec. 2.
There were no other changes within the first 12 spots in this week’s rankings.
Georgia (10-1) was among the teams holding position, staying No. 7 after a 42-13 victory over Kentucky.
Undefeated Alabama remained No. 1.
Once-beaten Oklahoma, unbeaten Wisconsin and twice-beaten Auburn remained Nos. 4, 5 and 6, respectively.
Miami has a 10-0 record in its second season under Richt, the former Georgia coach.
Kirby Hocutt, chairman of the CFP selection committee, said the group ranked Miami ahead of Clemson (10-1) by an “ever-slight margin” this week.
“We talked about a Miami team that has shown progress over the last three weeks,” Hocutt said during the rankings unveiling on ESPN. “They have really strengthened their resume in the last three weeks.
“We see characteristics of a championship-caliber team with Miami.”
The committee will release two more sets of rankings this season, culminating with the setting of the four-team playoff field Dec. 3. The semifinals will be played in the Rose and Sugar bowls on New Year’s Day and the national championship game in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Jan. 8.
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